1. Try to maintain an open-mind.
There is no Utopia when it comes to college. The problems that you encounter here are not unique to Guilford. You will soon realize that there really is no place like home.2. Remember that this is not your high school.
The friendships that you maintained in high school took some time to build, so take the time to build new friendships. Give yourself the opportunity to get acclimated and grow with your peers at Guilford.

3. Keep contact with family and old friends from home.
Do not forget about your loved ones. Even when you are busy, take the time to keep up with what is going on at home. When you are feeling homesick you will not feel as if you have been excluded from your home network. Have chats with old friends via instant messenger on those late nights when you are up studying. It will remind you of old times and make those study sessions more bearable.

4. Get involved.
It sounds like a clich, but you will only get out of your college experience what you put into it. Maybe the compost club is not your thing, so try the Bryan series. Don’t write off Guilford just because you have not found your niche.

5. Be considerate.
Respect the shared space; we are all held accountable for our shared surroundings.

6. Sign the roommate agreement.
Your roommate may be your favorite person on campus right now, so there could not be a better time to set some rules. Don’t wait until a conflict arises to tell your roommate how you feel about late night visitors, or the volume on the television. Skip the drama and get the rules out of the way before the situation gets too sensitive.

7. Don’t grow up too fast.
No one is asking you to be an adult tomorrow. Enjoy this time to live independently and to try new things, but remember that you are now going to be held accountable for the decisions that you make.

8. Avoid jumping on every “band wagon.”
The students at Guilford have a tendency to move together in phases. There is nothing wrong with trying new things, but do your own research and move at your own pace. Don’t become a vegan or participate in fair trade just because you feel pressured by the passionate people on campus. Decide what your passions are and pursue them.

9. Use good sense in social situations.
If you do not want that picture of you with the Bacardi Silver bottle to your lips on Facebook, then don’t pose for the picture. If you had a misunderstanding with your roommate, don’t broadcast it to the entire campus; word travels quickly.

10. Ramen has no nutritional value!
Ramen should be called Stroke-in-a-Cup. The sodium in the seasoning packet is 1434mg, 60 percent of the recommended daily value. However, if your budget has made Ramen your most viable meal option then this website can provide some healthier recipes: nutrition.about.com/od/recipesmenus/ht/ramen.htm