Planning what to physically, as well as mentally, take to college and leave behind at home can prove to be more challenging than you’d expect. Regardless of whether you were born and raised in Berkeley or are planning on traveling halfway across the globe to come to UC Berkeley, going from high school to college is a difficult transition that everyone can relate to. To help alleviate some of the confusion and stress, we at the Clog have compiled a list of what not to bring to college, helping you prep for the giant leap of independence you’re about to take.
SAT/ACT & AP scores
Despite having to constantly input test scores across a majority of your college applications, the moment you actually step foot on campus, you’ll realize how irrelevant those numbers become. The last person you’d want to be known as on your floor is that one kid who can’t stop bragging about his perfect score of 1,600 to everyone he meets.
Raising your hand to go to the bathroom
One of the great rites of passage as a college student is the tons of freedom that it affords. This newfound freedom may equate to things like no curfews and eating whatever your heart desires, but some forget the freedom of not having to raise your hand when you need to go to the bathroom. Don’t, we repeat, don’t be the one who stops the entire discussion section just to ask to go to the restroom. Everyone, including your GSI, can safely assume where you’re going when you randomly get up from your seat and leave without any of your belongings.
High school drama
As you embark on your journey as an official adult, it’s important to toss all the high school drama out of your suitcase. Drama isn’t fun in high school and we can assure you that it’ll be equally, if not more, tedious to deal with when you’re cramming 17 units into your semester or trying to have a fun night out with your friends.
Procrastination
If you waited till the last minute to turn in homework assignments or study for your tests, it’s better now than never to drop these bad habits from your life. In college, juggling the curriculum with your social life and health is a lot harder to master than it sounds. Leaving behind the ingrained habit of starting your essay the night before will be beneficial to all aspects of your life. Believe it or not, you’ll have more time to hang out with your friends, a better grasp on your grades and lower levels of stress.
Your high school self
College is the quintessential time for change. Don’t be afraid to venture out of your comfort zone, meet new people and explore new extracurriculars. When you’re about to leave your hometown for college, don’t feel confined to upholding all of the aspects of your old lifestyle. Feel free to express yourself how you want to in ways that perhaps you couldn’t or were too afraid to before — easily one of the greatest parts of college.
College and high school may seem pretty similar for some but for others, it may feel like two entirely different planets. There are some things, however, that we can all agree would be better left behind. After all, college isn’t intended to mimic all the components of your high school days regardless of how glorious they were. College is the time to immerse yourself in an entirely unfamiliar environment, making it more than just a pathway to a degree.