Before I got to college, I imagined my assigned dorm room as a majestic suite at the Hilton—with a bedside Gideon Bible, complimentary toiletries, and one of those spiffy magnetic cards to unlock the door.

The image was shattered on move-in day when I opened the door of 30C to reveal the walk-in closet I would call home.

It was the first of many surprises during my first weeks as a college freshman. Some were good surprises, some not so. Guess which category Room 30C fell into? Here's a hint: Although there were no bars on the window, the hall director may as well have worn a badge and slipped bread and water under my door twice a day.

OK, my initial impression was exaggerated, and I came to learn that my room's prison-like characteristics were part of its "guys' dorm" charm. Still, I could have used a little forewarning.

While I really did come to love my first year on campus (including my experience in cell 30C), I still wish I'd been better prepared for my freshman year. But, hey, why waste all those "learning the hard way" experiences? With every soon-to-be freshman in mind, I'd like to offer these field-tested tips for getting settled into college life.

Back in high school, I had two ways of getting around: 1) Mom's free taxi service; 2) Mom's free car rental.

That changed in college. Lacking access to a car for the first time in years, I thought I'd take a stroll one day to the bank before class. What I thought was going to be a 15-minute stroll turned into an hour-long hike across town. And small campuses, like small towns, can be larger than you thought when you have three minutes to get to class.

It's a wise idea to spend the first week or two at college figuring out where things are and how long they actually take to get to. How far are your classes from the cafeteria? Is there an ATM you can get to if you only have 15 minutes and need cash? Time spent exploring can save you a lot of time and anxiety down the road.

Growing up, my best chance for enjoying sugary cereal was to sneak a box into the shopping cart when Mom wasn't looking. But in college, I was free to indulge my lifetime obsession with Cocoa Puffs, uninhibited. They were always available for breakfast, lunch and dinner—right there on the cafeteria counter.

So I made them the centerpiece of every meal. Fortunately, I was able to shake my Cocoa Puffs diet before I turned into one. It turned out to be pretty easy. I got sick of them.

But learning to take care of your body isn't always that simple. Since school cafeterias offer all the food you can eat—without having to cook it yourself or pay extra—it's important to choose meals wisely and not go back for thirds or fourths. Eat a balanced meal at every sitting—but stick with one balanced meal per sitting.

Believe it or not, even with lots of activities, cool weight rooms and running to make it to classes on time, it is possible to not get enough exercise at college. I have a friend who has earned the distinction of being the PlayStation2 champion at his campus, after hours of practice. He has also turned into a marshmallow. So, take advantage of intramural sports and the campus fitness center.

I blame it all on the Ketchup Lady at that McDonald's in the early 1980s. The ketchup dispenser wasn't working, so I asked the cashier for some. Her rude reaction to my request sent me whimpering away with my tail between my legs.

Perhaps you too have some scars from meeting new people. Maybe you're just shy. That was me in my first few weeks at college. I approached everyone like they were the Ketchup Lady; I was timid, shy and protective of myself.

Looking back, I see I didn't need to be so guarded. All of us freshmen were in the same boat. We all wanted someone to talk to, someone to hang out with, and someone to help us figure out our new lives. What an opportunity! I know it goes against my nature, and maybe yours, too, but with thousands of people the same age all in the same place, this is an important time to be outgoing, as often as you can.

Besides, getting to know others is a good cure for homesickness. There are few words as important to success and happiness in college as, "Hi, I'm Josh." Unless your name isn't Josh. Then use Wanda or Waldo or whatever your name is.

At school there's a lot of competition for your money. Of course, there are books and tuition to pay for, but there are also pizza runs, tithing, and weekend adventures.

But without a budget, it's easy for dollars to slip away. "Where did all my money go?" is as common a question as "What are Jean Piaget's four stages of childhood development?" in psychology class. OK, it's even more common. Make sure you know where your money is going. Plan out how your money will be spent and keep track of your purchases to be sure you are sticking with the plan.

Forget the flu. One of the easiest diseases to catch in your first few weeks at college is the overcommitment bug. The opportunities for over-involvement are endless: intramural sports, ministries, student government positions, part-time jobs ... boy, it seems as if I'm forgetting one ... oh yeah, classes.

I admit, I am a recovering commit-aholic. I tried to do everything on campus and four things happened:

1. My grades went down (parents annoyed).
   
   
2. I burned out physically (needed sleep).
   
   
3. I wasn't able to honor all my commitments (major discovery: I really can't be two places at once).
   
   
4. I started seeing miniature neon green gorillas swimming in the cafeteria salad bar (still getting treatment for that one).
   
   

As you can see, overcommitment is dangerous. Just as you budget your money, you must learn to budget your time. Remember, you have at least four years of college ahead of you. Save an activity for your sophomore year, would ya?

As with anything, there will be ups and downs, but college is an awesome time in your life. It's a time when you'll make your own decisions and develop your own routines, many of which will be lasting.

Make sure you are setting aside time to grow in your relationship with the Lord. Spend time each day praying and reading the Bible, join a small group or campus ministry, and surround yourself with Christian friends for fellowship, accountability and encouragement.

After all, you're not in this alone. Every freshman goes through many of the exact things you will, whether it's trouble finding a class or getting enough sleep in your cell … er, room.

Copyright © 2004 by the author or Christianity Today International/Campus Life magazine.
Click here for reprint information on Campus Life.

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