1. Remember Comfort

One of the biggest rookie mistakes you can make when you start out in college is to forget about comfort. In high school, you’re probably not walking at least a mile or two every day. Depending on the size of your university, you’re probably walking a lot more in college than you were in high school, meaning that you’ll need to invest in shoes that are cute yet comfortable. You’ll also spend a lot of time outdoors walking to class rather than in an building, which means you’ll need to be ready to brave the elements at any time.

2. Don’t Conform

Everyone says that college is all about finding yourself, but you’ll probably be surprised at just how much everyone conforms. You’ll notice the different trends that everyone’s wearing, and if that’s your style too, more power to you. However, don’t feel like you have to sacrifice your own style just to conform to what everyone else is wearing!

3. Get the Essentials

Let’s be honest: you probably don’t have as much space as you’d like in your tiny dorm room closet. After you’ve gone through your wardrobe and picked what you’ll bring, make a list of what you think are absolutely essential to your wardrobe and buy them. If you need a new pair of jeans, a new coat, or something else entirely, make sure you have it on hand.

4. Check the Weather

I live in Michigan, so there have been many times throughout my college experience where I’ve found myself stuck in a rainstorm, snowstorm, or mixture of the two. In most of those times, I don’t have the proper clothes on, and I end up freezing, sick, or both. It’s so simple to check the weather before you leave for class-just don’t forget to do it!

5. Pick a Personal Style

It’s no question that the average college kid’s budget is pretty tight. Rather than test the waters with a bunch of different styles, pick one that you’re sure you love. It will make your entire wardrobe more versatile, because you can mix and match pieces of your wardrobe without worrying about the styles clashing.

6. Find the Right Bag

This may seem like an arbitrary tip, but believe me: the right bag makes all of the difference. On my first day of college, I had a backpack that was barely a piece of cloth, and I thought it would hold my laptop and all of my books. Needless to say, it didn’t make it to my second day of college. When you’re picking out a bag, pick one out that you love, but also be sure that it will last you long-term.

7. Don’t Be Afraid

Don’t be afraid of exploring your own style, or what people think of you. College is about figuring out who you are, and you can’t do that if you’re worried what people think of you.

Are you in college? What are your style tips for campus? I want to read your tips in the comments!