So... getting ready for college is HARD.

Guys, I'm stressing.

There is SO much for just one person to do! Applying for financial aid, buying all the things necessary to living independently, and mentally preparing for taking college level courses. YIKES.

Yikes. We all know college is expensive, but you never truly understand just how much it will cost until you receive your financial award letter. Can someone say student loans? And then on top of that, there's the stress of buying the books... and HOPEFULLY they show up on time so you don't look like a loser when the first day rolls around!

Books are NOT the only things you have to buy. I have to invest in little units for storage - shoe rack and plastic drawer things and milk crates, school supplies, a first aid kit, a power strip, and any and ALL toiletries I will need when separated from my parents who usually just automatically buy them for me. The list doesn't stop there, but that's all I can think of for now. The list is literally too long for all the items to stick in your brain at any given time.

OHMYGOSH, freaking out. I'm taking a 300 level conversational Spanish class. I haven't practiced my Spanish in forever. It was pointed out to me that in a 300 class, the whoooooole class will probably be taught solely in Spanish. EEK! I had a hard time listening to my dear high school Spanish teacher sometimes! So I keep promising myself that I'll go over my HS Spanish vocab lists... I haven't yet. Spanish isn't the only class that worries me though. I'm freaked out that I'll be late to class, that I won't know where I'm going and I'll get lost, and that I'll flunk all my other classes. Do you understand my stress??? And I didn't even TALK about getting along with my roommate! haha (FYI, my roommate seems wonderful. I'm just noivous in general!!)

Now that I have completely and totally freaked out about my main college concerns... Maybe I should talk about how to override these concerns and just push through them, eh?

As far as money goes, I'm not an expert. At all. I plan on NOT getting a job my first semester so that I can have a little time to adjust to my new life. I have some money saved from graduation gifts, but that is all. So after that first semester is over, I'm going to start looking for a job and seeing what I can do to ease my debt. Another thing to consider, just for funsies... Poke around your college's town, and see what good deals you can find... For example, Ames has a Village Inn (as do many other towns... haha). Every Wednesday at Village Inn, if you make a purchase, you get a slice of pie for free. FOR FREE! You could go buy a drink and get a piece of pie that costs more than the drink itself. I really think that finding small, fun, free/discounted things to do during college will keep us college kids from going insane all the while being money conscious. Also, you can join any club that you're interested in. Some clubs will charge a fee when you join for various supplies you may need, but these kinds of things offer lots of FUN at little cost. Whoo!

Now... I was referring to the crazy insane list. Yes, it is ridiculously long, but it is still manageable. Why, you might ask? Because of the INTERNET.

Awesome List #1
Awesome List #2

Both of these links could save your life. They are very similar, although I do prefer the top one. (Probably just because it is prettier.) I suggest that one day, you carry a notepad around with you and any time you use an item, write it down. The list will surprise you because you don't realize just how much STUFF you need until you are left without it. Also, I suggest shopping around in shifts so that you can compare prices and find the things you truly want without being rushed. =)

As for the freak out over taking college level courses... Yeah, it's scary no matter what. All you can do is breathe, go to class, pay attention, and do your best. As for me, I WILL start looking at my Spanish vocab. I also told my mother (who had some Spanish instruction a while back) to feel free to speak to me in Spanish whenever she pleases. I am also going to ask my sister, a Spanish major, hablar conmigo en espanol por telefono. =) (to speak with me in Spanish on the phone) Holla at me, Theresa! haha

Honestly, if there is anything else you are worrying about, talk to people who have been to college before. Yes, people. Plural. No two people have the same college experience, so it's good to get a wider background of information. And if the veterans can't answer your question, go to your school's website and poke around, or find a number to call. The people who work at colleges are always friendly and willing to point you in the right direction. =)

I really hope this helped someone. It was rather therapeutic for me to write, helped to calm me down. =P

Byyyyyyyyyyyyyye. <3