Unsolicited Advice for Those About to Enter College

One of my nephews is a senior in high school and will be going to college in the fall. I would like more than anything to give him some advice learned the hard way. But unsolicited advice often goes unheeded, so I'm going to write an open letter to him, instead.

College is time management - College classes, especially the ones you will be taking freshman year, are no harder (and in some cases easier) than those you took in high school. The key is actually going to class and spending some time outside of class reading/studying, because you'll have so many more distractions than you ever did in high school. So, make out a schedule to go along with your class schedule. Set aside time for reading outside of class and don't let anything interfere with that and you'll be set.

Don't complain about required classes - You're at a college and not a trade school, so you'll be taking classes outside of your major. These courses may be a drag, but you never know when inspiration may hit. You may luck into a really interesting course or a great teacher or kids who you would never be in a class with otherwise. Be open to possibilities and don't look at the negatives.

Don't spend time hanging around people with whom you went to high school - It's a natural tendency when thrust in a new situation to stick with people you know. And this is okay for a little while, but you're trying to meet new people and learn new things and you'll never accomplish that hanging around just with people you already know. It's okay to do this first semester, but it would be even better if you stopped after two weeks.

It's okay to try to have sex with every girl you meet - There is a time and a place for everything and fortunately for you, college fits both of the requirements here. Now, you also need to understand that you will fail around 90 to 95 percent of the time. Which is why you should set a goal to meet 100 girls your freshman year.

Get involved in some campus activity - If all you do at college is go to class, you are really missing out on wonderful opportunities. It doesn't matter what you do - write for the school newspaper, work for the campus radio station, join the College Democrats or a million other choices - but get involved. It will make everything better. Plus it will make it easier to meet 100 girls.

Look for a flexible part-time job - There's nothing worse than opening up your wallet and finding nothing but moths inside. Get a job that lets you work 15-20 hours a week. You won't be rich, but when everyone is going out to a movie or some other activity you'll be able to go. As long as you work less than 20 hours, it really shouldn't interfere with either your academic of your social life. And pick the right job which allows you to talk to other people. Be open to the possibilities.

Don't overload yourself on classes - There's no reason to take more than 15 hours a semester. I've never met anyone who said that the semester they took 18 or 20 hours was the most rewarding experience they ever had. If you take 15 hours each semester, you have 120 hours after four years, which is right around where you need to be to graduate.

Instead of 20-hour semesters, go to Summer School - Summer school classes are the best. The atmosphere is so relaxed and the courses are easier. If they had a degree option that was nothing but summer school classes, I would recommend that in a heartbeat. Going to class every day makes everyone, even instructors, seem friendlier.

If they have co-op jobs in your field do it - Nothing looks better than time spent at a real job on your resume. There's nothing wrong with working three years at a restaurant, where you met a lot of people and had a great time, and one year at your co-op job. The three years shows you have the capacity to stick with a job and the co-op job gives you practical experience. This is truly a situation where everyone wins.

Make it a goal to take a trip with a group of friends - Most people go somewhere on Spring Break but it certainly doesn't have to be this time. Go skiing, go camping, go to the beach, go to a bowl game - it doesn't matter what you do. It's important to go on this type of trip because these will be the memories you keep forever.

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You'll never have another experience like college. It's the last time in your life that you will be surrounded almost exclusively by people your own age group, until you get to a retirement home. Take it all in and don't waste any of the time or opportunities you have available. And don't do anything that your buddies will post on YouTube. Your parents have the Internet, too.