An old guy’s guide for college students—revised edition!

Last year, on these very website pages, I wrote the highly acclaimed (hold laughter, please) "An old guy’s guide for incoming college freshmen.”

Admittedly, it is a dangerous quantum leap for me, almost 50 years (that hurts to even write) removed from my college days, to write with some advice for our Chicago-bound college kids who are about to head off to school—some of whom are leaving home for the very first time.

Clearly, things over the past five decades have changed dramatically (stating the ridiculously obvious), so far be it from a crusted old veteran writer like myself to even dare to make any suggestions to today’s incoming college kids regarding modern-day collegiate life.  

…. But I will.

Here are some “old man’s thoughts and advice for today's college kids”—particularly for the incoming freshman.

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1. Warning: The first two weeks can be tough!  I don’t care how confident, how popular you were in high school, how solid your family life has been. When you get dropped off that first time, when your parents get you situated and then exit stage left, and you are left on your own in a strange place (possibly with no one that you know), it takes some getting used to. 

Homesickness can definitely hit in the early going.  The adjustment often a bit harder than you think.  But have faith—it will get better!  Every freshman, to some degree, goes through this, and you will come out fine on the other end, so hang in there in the beginning!

2. Choose your friends wisely. At first, it will most likely be the ones in your dormitory.  This is natural, and it is good to get to know as many in your dorm as possible.  But as the year wears on, you will start to find friends to hang around with that you connect with better.  The ones that hopefully are good influences and bring out the best in you.  

Remember, the friends you make and the people you hang around with will be a big part of your own personal growth and the college experience as a whole—so choose wisely (and don’t be afraid to slowly but gently move away from those that might not be the best of influences).

3. Get involved in outside activities. Whether it is a job, a club, intramural sports, music, theatre, or any number of the many activities offered outside the classroom, get yourself involved in as many as you can.  Just like high school, surveys consistently show that the kids who say they had the best college experiences are the ones who were involved in extracurricular activities.

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4. Food: Five decades ago, the number one collegiate eating advice was stay away from the Friday “surprise meat” offering, as it was usually whatever was left over in the cafeteria from the first four days of the week.  But today? College cafeterias are more like one of our suburban mall food courts.  An amazing amount of quality selections, and all free (well, sort of—please say thank you to parents and check out the fine print on the college contract).  

Bottom line: Enjoy, try and eat healthy, and beware of the “Freshman 15.”

5. Exercise: Many of you have regular workout routines from your high school days, but when heading to college, sometimes exercise can take a backseat to classes.  New friends, new activities, homework, and other “distractions” can get in the way. They shouldn’t. Find a way to get regular workouts (whatever your activity choice might be).  Besides staying in shape, you will be mentally sharper in class and in your studies, and it can’t hurt your social life either.

6. The party life: My number one “old guy’s advice” in this area is…to take it easy.  Go slow.  “Ease into it,” if I can use that particular term.  

You go too hard in the party scene too early? Then there is only one way to go the next four years, and that is down.  Understood that sex, experimenting with alcohol or drugs,  and staying up late to party the night away may all be part of the college experience, and yes, it is tempting without parents around to really let loose—but my advice?  Just slow yourself down in this area, especially in the beginning.

7. Friends from home at your same school? Fine, but be careful not to hang with them too much in the beginning.  Is it easier and more comfortable?  Sure, but it also might hinder your transition into making new friend groups at your new school.

8. These days it seems half the college classes have online options.  This is a little tough for this old guy to wrap his head around, but it is what it is. However, try to limit those. Going to an actual classroom is part of the college experience. It is where you meet new people, and even walking around campus to get to classes becomes part of the social experience.  Certainly, one you won’t get from sitting in your dorm room most of the time, studying online.

Closing thought? Please note that I stayed away from any specific studying or academic recommendations. This was done intentionally, primarily based on my own less-than-stellar grade point average in my college days. I figured the less said in this area, probably for the better!

Good luck to all of our college-bound young adults!