KRISTA ALBRITTON Staff Writer

Hello and welcome back everyone. In case you haven’t noticed (if you haven’t: what’s wrong with you?), school has started back. It is now in session and has been for a few weeks. Some of you guys are fresh faces, but the majority of you are returners and stale. New or old, it doesn’t matter here at Piedmont- we welcome you all the same.

I hope everyone has had a chance to fully settle, adapt to your new schedules and are falling into a rhythm that will lead to a successful semester. Returnees, you should have this down to a science at this point, but as for the newbies, you might have a harder time at this. That is where I come in. I am here to grace you all with a few pieces of advice on how to lead a proper and successful college life.

First off, know your class schedule. You need to know the where, when, who, what and all that jazz. Since its still the first couple weeks of school I’ll let it slide if you don’t know that stuff by heart and are still carrying a print out with you. However, once it gets to be a month in, you need to leave the schedule written on that handy dandy whiteboard in your room.

Now, this one should go without saying, but I’m going to say it anyways- keep up with your assignments. I understand that procrastination is incredibly hard to resist, but you aren’t in high school anymore. Yes, some professors are more lenient about late work, but you don’t want to be stuck with a big fat zero for an important assignment. Just do the work, it won’t kill you.

Next, we have partying (this includes game nights, friendly gatherings and any other group fun activity). Don’t do it. Ever. You need to devote all your time to making sure you pass those classes. How are you going to pass if you spend all your time frolicking around while EDM plays in the background? You can’t, that’s how! Okay, maybe that is a little extreme, but in all seriousness, don’t let your fun interfere with your classes. You came here to get an education and that should be your top priority.

This last tip, in my opinion, is the most crucial to having a successful college experience. Don’t hide in your room. Put yourselves out there, people! Join a club, get an on-campus job, and find those people that will truly make college the best time of your life.

Going to college isn’t just about getting a degree and passing all of your courses. It’s about experiencing life in a way that you never have before. It’s about finding that balance between responsibility and letting loose. It’s about expanding your horizons, taking you places you never imagined and preparing you for when you truly have to be an adult. In the end though, it’s all up to you how you spend your time here at Piedmont College.