College Survival Guide! (Condensed)

As some of our loyal readers (all two of us) may know, one of the Chewbloga team has just recently started her tenure at a glorious school of the arts in the glorious city of San Glorious Franciso. Gloriously. This post is intended to give her a brief set of rules for living through the first few months of collegiate study:

1. Make friends but don't trust them right off the bat! You'll quickly find that you will be making friends pretty much left and right. This is good. You want to spread our social borders and see what kind of groups are around the campus. Do not trust these people. Especially the upper classmen. Be wary of these folks and what it is they do for fun. It may not always be in your best interest!

2. Listen to good music. This goes a long way in figuring out who the people in rule 1 will actually be attuned to your personal tastes and goals in life. Those who share your interest in music (particularly something you may have thought obscure) are more likely to be worthwhile friends.

3. Write your name on your food, but don't assume it will keep the boogie-man from making off with your lunchables and pragmatic Trader Joe's pre-sealed yogurt cups. Better yet, purchase yourself a sweet mini fridge!

4. Periodically clean your mini fridge. No joke. Those things get dirtier faster than undergarments. They can absorb smells and odors like nobody's business. A package of baking soda will save you heartbreak and nausea at a later date. Also, take it from me, storing fish in your mini fridge is asking for a smelly dorm.

5. George Forman is your buddy. Buy his grill. It makes quick meals a breeze and cuts down on fatty fats. Chicken cutlets from the super market make great 20 minute meals when combined with a Georgie. No, not Fergie... Georgie!

6. Not all parties are fun. In fact, a good 60% of them are going to be busts. So make sure you hang with dependable friends, and even those craptastic "kick backs" could very well be enjoyable. Don't take drinks from strangers that you didn't see poured in person. Better yet, pour your own drinks!

7. Homework is important. You'll probably find that an art school is lax about collecting small assignments and will probably offer you endless extensions. Just get it done and out of the way, and it will save you countless hours of stress and makeup work. Teachers at art school hang out together and know each other fairly well. Word gets around as to which students are worth their good grades, and which should just be handed the fail.

8. Buy some plants for your dorm! Nothing says "Oh my Gawd, that person is cool!" like a fern or cactus in the corner. Take it from me (and Martha Stewart), "A little greenery makes you..." I forgot what the quote is, but having a plant around will make you really feel at home.

There are more to come so stay tuned and take notes! Also, don't let your roommate do your laundry. Ever. Just trust me on this one.

Love 4evah!
-I'm a Paladin