What advice would you give an 18yr old young man going off to college, who has had no dad to look up to or guide him?

Academically, if it's like engineering, focus and try to pad your grades early because those are the easy classes.

Selfishly, have fun and enjoy your time because life doesn't get easier. Also, hit the gym and start learning how to take care of yourself physically. Helping the body helps the mind.

Finding the right balance between being invested in your courses and having a healthy social life is the key to success, and i dont mean you have to party. I ran into alot of trouble and dropped out when I first went to school because I was a recluse and it affected me mentally. Leave your door open at your dorm for the first few weeks, put yourself out there and talk to some people. Go to all of the freshman orientation events.

Here are some things to consider:

• Don't worry about drinking. There will be people doing it, but getting drunk isn't a sign of maturity or manliness. It might also get you thrown out of school. You can wait until you are of legal age to drink.
• When I was in college, student groups would make money by signing people up on credit card applications. They would give you a free big bag of M&Ms if you signed up. But if you've never had a credit card, you might struggle with overusing the credit card.
  • Credit cards are OK if you have consistent employment.
  • Only charge on a credit card what you can pay off. It is easier now that you can pay online as soon as you've made the charge. Getting things like groceries, or gas, or a pizza, then paying it off right away, helps show you can manage a card.
  • If at all possible, don't carry a balance; that is, if you charged $200 on your card during the month, pay off all that. You might have charged something since, so it looks like your total balance is $230 or something, but pay off your statement every month.
  • Some cards have benefits, like frequent flyer miles and such. If you are just starting out, you might not have a good enough credit score to get one.
  • You should be able to find a card that doesn't charge you an annual fee.
  • Whatever bank has your checking account will probably also offer you a credit card if you ask, and that can be a good starting card.
• Treat other people with respect and kindness until they demonstrate they deserve neither.
• Remember that you get to be the person you want to be. To figure that out, think about what you'd respect in someone else. First aid skills? Knows how to cook? Good at woodworking? You can learn to do those things, too. You have to live with yourself for the rest of your life, so figure out how to become the person you want to be.
• Don't be afraid to ask questions. That's how you learn something. Everyone starts at not knowing anything, so don't make fun of people who are inexperienced. Help them as much as you can.
• Accidents happen. The best planning, or the best quality materials, won't prevent random chance from leading to problems. Hope for the best, but plan for the worst case scenario that's likely. In practical terms:
  • If you own a car, it should contain jumper cables and other emergency gear. The spare tire should be properly inflated.
  • If you go on a trip, make sure you know what to do if something gets canceled or rescheduled.
  • Don't start a fire if you don't know how to put it out.
  • Ask yourself if a course of action is safe enough, or if you can do something to make it safer. If you don't know, you probably need help.
• Be kind to people when you are having a bad day. Don't yell at someone who isn't responsible for your situation, like a hotel desk clerk; they can probably help you, and will likely want to do so if you are nice to them.
• Understand that real expertise comes from education, training, and experience. Searching on google is second best. Lots of people talk about things they don't know anything about. figure out who does know something, and listen to what they say.
• Vote in every election. Pay attention to the candidates, and make intelligent choices. You can find out what people believe in, and their stands on issues, well in advance of the election, so inform yourself and vote accordingly.
• Women are people. This should go without saying, but some people treat women as if they are inferior. They aren't.
• Know that love is a choice, not a feeling. When you love someone, you choose to treat them in a way so that they feel safe, valued, respected, comforted...all sorts of good things. But you will decide when you are ready to choose.

He’s an awesome kid, but unfortunately my ex-husband /his dad has not seen him since he was 5. He’s off to college to study atmospheric sciences, and I’m so proud of him. I can’t wait to see what this next adventure brings.

Turn up

No son, let's walk down there and f*** 'em all.

Treat every girl you meet how you treat your mother. ><

OP - So sorry about your son not having his father as a role model -- although I'm sure you're doing a wonderful job yourself! As someone who's in college right now, let him know that it's okay to make mistakes.

Have him look into student job availability on campus if he's interested in getting a job - it will be easier to get to a job that's on campus rather than off campus if he's dorming.

In regards to courses, RateMyProfessor is the best website he can use to double check which professors he should take courses with. Please have him use this - I wish I had known about this website during my first year, because it would have helped my GPA.

Tell him to build up good relationships with his professors during office hours -- this will help him get good grades in his courses. It may also be easier to ask his professors for letters of recommendation for grad school and/or jobs in the future if he goes to see his professors for help and advice outside of class time.

In regards to textbooks, have him check the bookstore website of his college/university to see which textbooks he needs, and then order them off another website such as Amazon. During my first year, I ordered my textbooks directly from the bookstore, and it took them forever to come in because they were being shipped from another location -- it really got me behind on my courses.

Make sure he knows the rules/laws of the college/state he will be going away to in regards to parties/drinking, so that he doesn't get in trouble for being at a party while underage, or in the presence of other students who are underage.

Tell him to join clubs, if he can. The pandemic hit during my second year, so I had a hard time doing this, but it's a great way to make friends outside of his major. Also, if he's dorming, make sure he knows that it will be easier to make friends if he keeps the door to his room open -- college students visit each other all the time, and this will help with bonding/making friends.

Make sure he has some form of valid photo ID other than his student ID -- such as a driver's license. He may need it.

Tell him not to procrastinate, and to get his work done on time, but that it's ok to email professors to ask for an extension sometimes. Profs are more likely to grant the extension if he sends them what he has for an assignment/project so far, so that they can see that he is working on it.

Tell him to talk to his advisor(s) if he needs help with anything.

Congratulations to your son on going to college, and I hope this helps!

I've sorta been there and you've got to make something of what you have, uni/college takes sacrifice and although you will be alone at first, you will learn all those things academics can't teach you. It's gonna be hard at first, but if you need someone to talk to or simply chat about the day, your mom will be there and support you to the best of her abilities.

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Clap alot of cheeks and run the beer pong tables

His goal is to work for the National Weather Service. He’s been fascinated by weather for as long as I can remember, and idolized Jim Cantore growing up.

Listen to Jordan Peterson

Wow Many of these are life lessons as well. Thank you so much.

I tried my hardest to set him up for success.

He’s lived and breathed soccer as a goalie for yrs. He learned that a school may want you to play, but if your major is not offered in any way, shape, or form, there needs to be some deep thought. He chose a large university with a strong club and intramural program.

He plays the trumpet and will be playing in the pep band.

Began taking him to plays and musicals at a young age. He’s a massive history fan and loves Hamilton.

And most importantly-He’s a Washington Capitals fan for life.

He’s had a pretty diverse friend group throughout high school, but nobody from his school is attending the same college.

I had a great time in college with a variety of friends-sorority, rugby, student govt.

He needs to dye his shirts pink because of one red sock. Needs to oversleep a class. Needs to party a bit too hard and still turn his paper in on time.

I’ve also told him he’s not bound by blood to the school or major. I changed mine 3 times.

Get out there and interact with people. You'll have plenty of time later to watch youtube or play videogames, and they'll be just as good when you're 50. You know what wont be as easy/fun when you're older? Having random adventures. Adventures don't happen unless you get out there.