Freshman year has been filled with the most amazing times of my life and some of the lowest times in my life. My emotions can range from never being able to wipe a smile off my face to crying alone on the bathroom floor with a tub of Ben & Jerry's. Although it has been hard, I wouldn't change a thing about this past school year. I have met my best friends that will be with me for the rest of my life, I have started on my path towards a dream career, and I have grown as a person. Your freshman year in college is nothing like you've ever experienced before. So, here are 10 things I learned my freshman year of college.
1. Studying is essential.
In high school you may have been able to get by with just looking over your study guide 10 minutes before your test and get an A, but in college the game has totally changed. You can spend a couple weeks studying for the same exam and still feel like you are no where near prepared.
2. There is no easy A.
High school was all about coasting by. You don't study and you don't pay any attention in class and you can still earn an A. In college you must show up to every class, write down every single word the professor says, study for months and hopefully you may earn a B.
3. It's okay to not know what you're doing.
Throughout freshman classes you will see one or two juniors or seniors in your entry level major classes, because they switch their major. It is okay to now know what you want to do for the rest of your life, no one expects you to know what you're doing at the age of 18. Take your time, experience new things, and find yourself.
4. You don't need to bring everything you own or THINK you might use with you.
I have realized that you will wear your favorite tee shirts over and over again, along with the same pair of leggings. You never dress up because you're in college now and you have no money to go out. So bring half the stuff you want to bring.
5. Call your Momma.
You may think you're all big and independent now, but your mom can help you more than you know. Believe it or not she knows what she is talking about and can help you. You will miss and need the support of your family to get through the rest of your college years.
6. Get yourself out there and be involved.
It's important to get involved in your school and community. Not only will it allow you to add more experiences to your resume but, you can make great connections with future employers. It can be very beneficial to you to get out there, volunteer, get observation hours, anything to get you going.
7. Don't stress over the small stuff.
In college you may have the tendency to sweat the small stuff. THEY DON'T MATTER. You weren't invited to a party? Some one doesn't seem to like you? You can't seem to write the absolute perfect paper? None of that matters. Make yourself happy. College is all about you and finding who you are.
8. Make friends everywhere you go.
Be open to meeting people you wouldn't usually go out of your way to meet. There are tons of interesting and amazing people out there, and college is such an easy way to meet them. Be friendly and accepting of people. Y'all are all in the same boat, taking impossibly hard classes, missing home, going to a school you love! Get to know them, make friends in classes, and enjoy the ride.
9. Alone time is important.
You are constantly surrounded by noise and tons of people. Sometimes you need alone time whether it's to catch up on the sleep you missed due to pulling an all nighter to study for that exam, doing homework, or just laying in bed eating and binge watching Netflix. When you get the opportunity, take it. Spend some time alone to focus on yourself and relax. College is a very stressful place so you'll be more than excited for those few short hours you can get to yourself.
10. Don't take anything for granted and have fun!
College is an experience of a life time. You meet friends that will be apart of your life for the rest of your life! You become an independent adult working their way into the real world. You have all the freedom you can possibly one (this could be good or bad for some). To wish it to be over when you're just starting, because these years will fly by and you will wish you had them all back.
College is filled with every up and down you can imagine, but each up and every down makes you the person you are and will become. Be thankful and take it all in!!
