5 Tips for Surviving Frosh Week

Starting out at a brand new school? Here's what you need to be prepared for frosh week!

1. Show up Early

Make sure you get to campus early to get your Frosh swag! If your school's like mine, you'll be waiting a while before you get your gear — and if you show up late, you may not get it at all, even if you paid. Frosh swag includes all kinds of goodies, like your college shirt, maps of campus, an itinerary of the week's events, snacks and some protection — so don't miss out! Your shirt's important to wear so Frosh Bosses can detect you and help you out. If you get lost on campus, you can find someone wearing the same shirt as you and tag along.

2. Dress for a Mess

With the multitude of fun events that most universities and colleges plan for you, expect that you're going to get wet and dirty — and probably both. Dress appropriately! Wear comfortable shoes and clothes you don't mind getting destroyed. Depending on your school's traditions, you may jump into a fountain or dye your whole body purple. You don't want to get left out because you wore clothes that weren't suitable.

3. Pack Wisely

If you're commuting to Frosh, or if you're galavanting off-campus on a day trip, make sure you bring water, a portable charger, extra clothes (depending on what you're doing), your frosh shirt and a snack. You need to keep yourself moving to soak it all in, so take a few moments to get yourself situated before flying into a frosh frenzy.

4. Don't Be Afraid to Make Friends

Frosh is the time to meet people living in your dorm, taking the same program, or just hanging around campus. If someone asks you to attend an event with them, consider saying yes! Take this chance to get out of your comfort zone — frosh is no fun if you don't make friends along the way. When making friends at school, don't just put their name in your phone — you'll meet lots of Michaels and Sarahs. You may find it helpful to add the program or class they're in so you can remember who they are.

5. Don't Sweat It

Being a first year can be scary on the best days — especially if you're in a new place without many friends. On top of trying to figure out where everything is, with the stress of classes and buying books, it's easy to get overwhelmed. But take it from me: you will get there and it will all work out. Not all of us make friends immediately, and it takes time to get into a new routine and make genuine friends. Don't sweat it.