The 8 Unwritten Rules of College 📓

During my first week of college, I was walking by one of the campus bulletin boards when I saw a poster for free Bonchon.

For those who don't know, Bonchon is a restaurant with some of the best Korean fried chicken. (I probably went there one too many times my freshman year.)

I was stoked. You're telling me that I can skip my dorm's dining to get free fried chicken, and all I have to do is show up to a random club meeting?

Later that evening, I found myself scarfing down plates of food like I hadn't eaten in days.

And that right there is the first unwritten rule of college: never pass up free food… even if you're not hungry because you might be able to take some leftovers.

But I imagine that all of you are smart enough to get free food. So here are six more unwritten rules that maybe… aren't as obvious.

It's on You

Unlike your high school teachers, your college professors are mainly focused on research. Outside of class, they're publishing papers, running labs, and chasing grants, so lecture prep isn't always their top priority.

As such, college courses are much more self-guided than high school classes. Yes, your professors will cover the big ideas, but they won't hold your hand through every single detail. It's on you to listen closely, do the readings, and fill in the gaps yourself.

The moment you get your syllabus, plug all the dates into your calendar so you can stay on track. Having a digital organization system is key to succeeding in college.

Never Pay Full Price

College is that one period of your life when it's acceptable—and maybe even encouraged—to act broke. Most students don’t have time to balance a job on top of their coursework.

Textbooks will be one of your biggest expenses, so here are three ways to avoid paying the full sticker price:

• Go to your school's library (you might be able to find an older version)

• Ask upperclassmen (some might give you their textbooks for free)

• Check Facebook Marketplace (a great place to get discounts)

As a student, you should be hunting for discounts on everything from textbooks to software to tech. You’d be surprised by how many companies offer student discounts if you simply ask.

Master Cold Outreach

Within my first week of college, I heard about industries nobody told me about growing up: investment banking, venture capital, product management, and management consulting.

But as I was sitting among my peers who were ready to ascend the corporate ladder, I realized that applying isn't enough. I heard students talking about setting up coffee chats, asking upperclassmen for referrals, and even DMing recruiters on LinkedIn.

Now look. Does it feel a little bit cringe? Yeah. But is it important? Also yes—and that's where your .edu email comes in.

In college, you need to ask for what you want. Older people love helping younger people, especially when they realize you’re an ambitious college student.

Here's a DM you could send a recruiter on LinkedIn:

Hi [Name], I'm a [year/major] student at [school] and really interested in [company]. I'd love to stay connected and learn more about opportunities at [company].

Is this the perfect formula? Of course not. You should try to personalize this message—but it’s a great starting template.

Spend More Time Outside Than Inside Your Room

During your first year of college, a good way to gauge whether you're taking full advantage of everything is by noticing how much time you spend inside your room vs. outside your room.

I lived in a single during my four years of college. With all that personal space to myself, my room felt like a magnet constantly pulling me back in.

Done with class? Time to nap. Done with dinner? Time to study. Finished studying? Time to chill.

This is a cycle many students fall into. But your time in college will fly by faster than you can realize.

Just as important as your coursework are the people you meet… because these are the connections that will become lifelong friends and mentors.

A simple way to forge these connections is by joining a variety of extracurriculars. If you're analytical—yes, join the computer science club, but also try something like improv or debate.

But if you're so busy that you can't dedicate yourself to any extracurriculars, then simply study outside. You don't need to talk to a single living soul. But just by being around people and being present, you'll likely stumble upon some new friends over time.

Everything is Cumulative

Everything in college builds upon itself. To get a job one day, you brace through three summer internships that build upon each other, until you finally get that full-time offer.

The reason you're able to land better and better roles each summer is because your coursework is getting more advanced and you yourself are advancing in your extracurriculars.

It's very easy to look at everything in isolation and forget about the cumulative impact of your activities and internships. This might sound dramatic, but you’re not just collecting experiences—you’re quietly building the momentum that will define your future.

Track Your Laundry

And speaking of things to keep in mind… here's a more lighthearted unwritten rule: track your laundry.

A few days into college, I go down to the laundry room. The washers all say zero minutes, but each one still has clothes inside. Another student walks in, opens the washer, pulls the clothes out, and drops them right on the floor.

And that's when I learned: don't leave your laundry unattended.

Please. It actually gets really annoying.

Do you have any unwritten rules? DM me on Instagram (@goharsguide) to let me know!

If you want study help, come join my Discord! We have a global community of students helping each other succeed in school. I’d love to see you there.

If you’re ready to level up next school year, check out Scholar OS. It’s the ultimate Notion template designed to help you organize your classes and life in one place.

I’ll see you next week!

Best,
Gohar