What I Wish I Knew Before College 💭

Hey! I'm Elena, a recent college grad who works at Scoir. On our podcast, I asked other college grads what they wish they knew before college and compiled their favorite tips here for you! Their advice is, of course, based on their personal experiences but hopefully you’ll find some advice and, at the very least, some laughs. 

If you haven't already, definitely check out the episodes (Part 1 and Part 2) and let us know what your favorite piece of advice is on Instagram!

What I Wish I Knew Before College 💭

Whether you're about to head off to college soon or you're a high school student curious about what college is like, this advice is for you! Read below to see these college grads' biggest tips for those asking: "What are things you wish you knew before college?"

Be Open to Spontaneity! ✨

• "Some of your best friends might come from group projects in class or study groups." —Nicole
• "Join that niche club. Go to that foreign country. You have so much freedom and support to explore new things!" —Noah
• "Be curious about things outside of class. They're likely the most important!" —Anna

Everyone's in the Same Boat! 🚣

• "Everyone else is scared and confused too and not having as much fun as social media would lead you to believe. Try not to get caught up in what you think you're 'supposed to' be doing" —Shohom
• "Your college community belongs to you just as much as anybody else. Don't be afraid to make your mark!" —Caroline

Work These Tips Into Your Routine 📅

• "Find a buddy to walk to class with." —Nicole
• "Walk where you can; it's a great to take in the campus if you can!" —Ashley
• "Master the 20-minute nap!" —Anna
• "Scope out your campus for a great study spot that's not your dorm room!" —Caroline
• "Pick fun electives, wherever you can fit them into your schedule!" —Paul
• "Take care of yourself and get enough sleep. The library may be open all night but that doesn't mean you have to be!" —Caroline

Save Money Where You Can! 💵

• "Never buy your textbooks (if you don't have to); rent or find free resources online." —Shohom
• "Wait to buy the textbook until you know you need it. Check libraries for it before buying, too!" —Noah
• "Take leftovers from the dining hall so you spend less money on food out." —Ashley
• "Think hard when picking a meal plan; you may not need the most expensive option." —Paul
• "Learn about your student loans before you sign any paperwork. If you don't understand a line, don't be afraid to have it explained!" —Emily
• "Set a budget for your money (and time!) ASAP!" –Cole
• "Save money in the long run: get a case for your phone and computer. And back up your tech constantly!" —Emily

Professors Can Actually Be Cool?! 👩‍🏫

• "Professors want to get to know you. Within the first month, introduce yourself after class." —D'Lanna
• "Professors are more than just the part of them you see in class.  Find out what they're passionate about and ask to get involved if you're interested in their projects!" —Noah
• "Befriend your academic advisor! They can be incredibly helpful for picking classes and making grad plans." —Noah
• "Ask for feedback (from classmates and professors) often." —Anna

So there it is! A sneak peek into "What I Wish I Knew Before College." 

Want to hear the grads' full advice? Head to Part 1 and Part 2 of our episodes in this series, wherever you listen to podcasts! Plus, listen to our College 101 episode for even more tips.

Follow us on Instagram (@scoirinc) for even more fun content!

See you next time for more college advice! ☺️

This article was originally published on March 16, 2022. It was updated on November 24, 2025 for accuracy and comprehensiveness.