No matter where you go or what you’re studying, beginning your college experience is a huge step for everyone. There are so many new things to adjust to in a short amount of time. Luckily, there are some ways to make it easier on yourself. Here are 10 pieces of advice to make your freshman year run a little more smoothly.
Let your parents explore.
Even though you are excited to be on your own for the first time, don’t push your parents out the door so quickly. They are probably just as excited about this new experience as you are and if they want to get an idea of what your new home for the next year looks like, then let them. They are bound to ask questions you would never think of and it’s a great opportunity to learn a few things that other freshmen might not discover on their own.��
Talk to everyone.
The first week you are at school is an entirely new experience. From the moment you start unpacking your stuff to move in, make an effort to say something to as many people as you can. The more connections you make, the easier your transition will be. Whether you end up being really good friends with someone you meet your first day or they just end up being someone you wave to when you see them on campus, introducing yourself to anyone and everyone will help you in the long run.
Go to Welcome Week events.
There are so many fun things planned for incoming freshmen and you should take advantage of them. These aren’t the typical corny school events; they are meant for you to genuinely enjoy yourself and make the beginning of your college career as enjoyable as it can possibly be. On top of making it easier to meet other freshmen, these events will help you learn your way around campus. It is so much easier to be lost on campus with a bunch of other freshmen than it is to get lost by yourself once classes start so take advantage of this opportunity to get to know your way around.
Step out of your comfort zone.
Although it is much easier said than done, it is important that you try some things that you normally wouldn’t. You never know what kind of activity you might surprisingly be interested in. Whether you play dodgeball for the first time in your life while visiting the gym or just explore different parts of the city, push yourself to try something new. Even if it isn’t something you would do again, you are left with an experience that many people couldn’t talk themselves into trying.
Don’t listen to roommate horror stories.
The instant the word 'roommate' comes up, it seems like absolutely everyone has a worst-case-scenario story about their college roommate. Even though bad roommates definitely do exist, awesome roommates exist too. It’s important that you come into the experience with an open mind and a good attitude. Who knows, you and your roommate may end up being best friends who do pretty much everything together.
Introduce yourself to your professors.
No matter how nerve-racking it may sound, it is important to meet your professors within the first week of classes. Not many students actually do this and it will help you stand out. Even if you have no idea what to say, just tell them your name and why you took the class or what you hope to learn from it. If nothing else, they may recognize your name if you email them asking for help or need a recommendation in the future. No matter how intimidating this might seem, your professors are usually really nice and understanding people who will appreciate you taking the time to just say hi.
Be smart about buying books.
One of the biggest mistakes college freshmen make is buying your books before classes start. It's rare for your professors to expect you to have books on the first day and a lot of the time you’ll have professors who tell you to not purchase the book that was recommended for the class at all. Once you figure out which books you definitely need, shop around. Don’t just go to your school’s bookstore and buy the first copy you find. Explore other nearby bookstores and shop online to find the best price for your books. Many bookstores also give you the option to buy used or rent books. There are plenty of options out there so explore them all.
Be careful about group projects.
Sadly, group projects don’t go away after high school. They are even more common during your freshman year when professors are trying to get you to meet and collaborate with your classmates. You will still have the group member that doesn’t do their job or the one who feels the need to control every aspect of the project but sadly, there isn’t much you can do about it. Unless the whole group complains about the same group member, your professor isn’t likely to change a grade you felt like you didn’t deserve. Choose your group wisely and don’t underestimate the difficulty of group projects.
Do something other than schoolwork.
Bombarding yourself with homework and studying won’t always make you a better college student. Even though classes should be your top priority, it’s important to allow yourself the time to do something non-school related. Whether you choose to join a club, make a nightly trip to the gym, or just binge watch a show on the weekends, be sure to make time for yourself. Balancing school and fun is definitely an ongoing project, but your first year is the best time to start.
Appreciate the little things.
Despite the heavy workload you become accustom to and the new chores you have to take on simply because you are on your own, you should learn to celebrate and be thankful for small victories every day. Whether it’s something as important as having a professor push back a test or something as small as the washing machine being available when you need it, try to focus on something positive every day.
Although this new experience can be stressful and might seem like a lot to handle, you will find a way to navigate through it. You will take classes that are more challenging than you ever thought possible and you will be incredibly relieved and proud of yourself when you finally make it to the end. You’ll learn how to handle an entirely new sense of freedom and how it feels to be more self-reliant. Most importantly, you’ll realize that college is an awesome experience that you are beyond grateful for.
