How to survive college: tips and tricks

Olivia Solorzano '26

Content Designer

As preparing for college begins, high-school seniors are never quite sure what to expect. They are uncertain as to what is awaiting them and can be intimidated by the large amounts of information being thrown at them from their college of choice.

2. How’s dorm life?

Dorm life is super fun. Everyone is in the same boat as you, which is reassuring. There were people I met in my freshman year who lived in the same dorm as me, and even if we’re not in the same friend group, it’s still a nice familiar face to see around. 

 3. Do high school friendships last if you don't go to the same college?

Absolutely! Whoever you choose to keep in contact with, you’ll stay friends with. Even though we don’t talk on a daily basis, I still keep in touch with my Louisville friends and I can still feel the sisterhood beyond campus. 

 4. Do the big lecture rooms make learning harder, or do you prefer it over smaller classrooms?

I prefer smaller classroom learning, but everyone is different. It depends on figuring out what works best for you. Even with the big lecture halls, I can still be very vocal in the classrooms because Louisville did a great job of teaching me how to do that. 

 5. How do you stay productive with a more independent schedule?

What I found works best for me is making lists. Another little thing is, once I get home, I won’t take my shoes off, because if I do, I’ll just wanna lay in bed. Something else that I do is I start a load of laundry, and while that’s going, I’ll sit down and get things done for however long the load takes. It’s about organizing yourself in a way that’s helpful for you. Prioritize what’s important. And don’t feel bad about having a rest day! Sometimes you just need time to recharge, and that’s okay! 

 6. What would you rate the difficulty of managing your time? Are you able to balance your education and social life?

I would rate the difficulty a five out of ten. The key to unlocking the perfect time management is prioritizing what’s most important for that day, and sticking to it! My first two years, I struggled a lot because I didn’t realize the difficult adjustment of living in a dorm in a different state. It definitely took me time to get a rhythm, but those little discovery moments are all part of the college journey!