The idea of living in a residence could cause anxiety or joy in the hearts of the first-year students. For many, it's the first time they've lived away from home. For me, being a student at the University of Lethbridge meant that I was also five hours from my parents' eyes. Freedom was never this good.

Actually, that's a lie. Freedom was a snooze for the first two months.

There were certainly events meant to introduce you to other students However, with so many new people that I struggled to remember names of people or even build solid relationships.

I'd like to think that I've learned a few things about how to make the most of my the house, so I've put together some tips for people contemplating moving to a new home:

Leave your door open.

It's impossible to meet new people if you're always hiding in your bedroom. It's more comfortable to have a conversation with someone in your own home , rather than try to get heard in a large group. Jade my dearest friend was born this way. After a few weeks power was cut off and plunged the entire floor in darkness. terra hill is employed by Parks and I have a huge collection of miniature flashlights from all his promotional events; I turned them all on and hung them from my ceiling so they looked like stars. Jade was amazed by my custom light show and invited her to join me for six amazing years of friendship.

Make time to meet friends.

The school experience isn't just about the textbooks. While grades are essential, they aren't the only thing that matters but when you score the first Cin a class you threw your fist at (and it's bound to happen) you'll be with your friends who will be there in the early hours of 2 a.m. with Little Caesars, beer, and an arm to cry on. Your postsecondary experience will be made more memorable by your social life. Little Caesars is right, the freshman fifteen does exist and is likely to happen.

Get a meal plan and learn some basic kitchen skills.

I'm not able to count the number of times I've set off the alarm when I was trying to cook something. There's nothing more depressing than watching the fire trucks come in because you're unable to cook. It's important to remember that some housekeepers aren't great at maintaining a home. Maggots are likely to be in your kitchen sink if your roommate hasn't washed dishes in months. You'll be grateful that you have an allowance for food!

Pick your battles, and don't sweat small things.

Jade was crying the moment she came into my bedroom. One of her quad girls decided that it was an excellent idea to treat her urine from Saturday night with Jade's vacuum. I can't recall telling Jade. Jade probably should have said something immediately, instead of putting her rage from her and getting extra upset when, three weeks later her roommate damaged one of her mugs. It is possible to let small things get away and end up ruining a relationship with your roommate if don't handle it. Although you don't have to like your roommates, it's essential to show respect and manners. Your roommates are yours for the whole year therefore it's best to establish ground rules before the year begins.

Make sure you have a bag for your shower and flip flops.

Let me be truthful bathroom shared with roommates aren't the cleanest places in a residence. You may not have liked cleaning your bathroom at home so why would you think that it will change when you live on your on your own with other roommates who do the same things? I'm sure you'll want something to hold onto after seeing hair balls from another person's shower. A plastic bag that has a handle is a good idea to carry your entire belongings throughout your bedroom. If you leave it unattended, someone will undoubtedly steal your shampoo, cut the razor or even brush their teeth with your toothbrush.

Wash your sheets.

There will be people around at one point. Jade, my friend, and I stayed up late snuggled up on our bed and watching How I Met Your Mother replays when we felt sad and lonely. My mom came to my rescue as I was in my second semester. She slept with us both and I experienced an emotional breakdown. You may be wondering how this suggestion made it onto my list, but you'd be amazed at how many people ignore basic hygiene. Dan my buddy decided to not wash his sheets for a whole year. The smells that arose from his bedroom became so bad that a bunch of us put duct tape across his door to block the smell.

You'll get homesick, so you should call your home frequently.

There is nothing that makes you appreciate all the little things that your parents accomplish more than being a single parent. When I first started university, I was unaware that my mom had been matching up all my socks for years so I didn't lose my socks. Your parents are going to also miss you They are more in love with you than you think and leaving is more difficult on them than you believe. Even if it's a simple text in the morning to let them know you're alive, send it. It's important.

Avoid sharing too much on social media.

I'm all for posting pictures of you and your pals having fun in the corn maze but residence can reveal the best and worst people. You shouldn't post anything that you don't want your grandmother or your mom seeing, and certainly avoid mentioning anyone else in situations which could compromise. Everyone is developing and learning and everyone deserves privacy. You're likely to mess up, you are going to make a few bad choices, and you're going be embarrassed as well as your family and future employers do not have to know about it. Do not save the pictures, but the memories.

Do not attend 8 a.m. classes If you can.

They're not good, and no matter how even if you think you've got the drive and determination to get it to your appointment on time, you probably aren't. Sleep isn't something you get a lot of while you're in residence. You won't get 8 hours each night, so make sure you have enough time to wake up and get around the next morning.

Be you

While some might believe that moving into residence allows you to reinvent yourself, I disagree. It's a lot of work to appear to be someone you're not. What if you were the nerdy kid in high school? You'll be surrounded by equally amazing students in postsecondary! Residence is full of diverse individuals from all kinds of backgrounds, and you all have two very big things in common: You all live in res and are all students. This is what brings you together. These people will be your family, regardless of differences. Really, do it!

It was an unforgettable experience. I gained knowledge about myself and formed great friendships. I highly recommend this to all students in the first year of their studies, even if you have the option to live with friends or family off campus.