Four years sounds like forever when you are young. However, the opposite could not be more true. Four years is essentially the time it takes for you to inhale then exhale — and then, boom! It is over. College is the most incredible time in your young life because it is the chance for you to independently learn about yourself, away from your parents and your home. It challenges you to grow immensely and have almost complete control of your decisions. This is the time where you begin discovering who you are and what you want to be, and it is amazing. Here are ten pieces of advice that I would give to an incoming freshman.
1. Don’t forget to call home.
This one is important. While away at college, you’re often busy meeting new friends, getting the lay of the land and attempting to locate your entire class schedule. However, don’t forget about your family back at home; they miss you! We, as students, often forget about simply dialing up our familiar landline for a quick chat with our parents because we get so caught up in our college bubble. Calling home connects you with your family and lets them know all about your new experiences. Trust me, you will make the people you love back home very happy with a few calls a week as you walk to and from classes.
2. Put some energy into making new friends.
One of the best things about entering college freshmen year is that everyone is new. All these students from various states, and maybe even countries, have all come to this place to further their education. Take advantage of making new friends. While it is fortunate if you have friends from home at the same school, it is important to branch out as well. Don’t be afraid to strike up a conversation with someone in your class, a neighbor in your dorm or another person at a party. You never know who will end up becoming one of your closest friends.
3. Go to class as much as possible.
This one is not always easy. In college, you don’t have your parents as an alarm clock reminding you that you need to go to school. It is all up to you and your own determination to get out the door. Going to class not only helps you properly learn the material (obviously), but also helps you to become more familiar with your school and it’s surroundings. Besides, if you constantly miss class, you are more likely to not want to go at all. Don’t be the person that fails a class freshmen year; you got this!
4. Remember to eat your fruits and veggies.
Often, it is enticing to want to eat greasy pizza or other low-nutrient dorm food. While it is okay to indulge sometimes, it is important to not forget those food groups that your mom always forced on you. There will be plenty of late-night food runs with your friends after a long night out, but in the morning all that calorie-rich food won’t feel as good as it tasted having sat in your stomach all night. Try to add in a variety of fruits and veggies when you reach the cafeteria. It will improve your diet and help fend away a few of those “Freshmen 15” pounds.
5. Attend a few athletic events.
If you are so lucky as to attend a university with big-time sports, then by all means, go and cheer on your team. Gather up a group of friends, layer on the school’s colors, and get ready to engage in some school spirit. Lose your voice screaming at a football or basketball game, catch some Vitamin D at a baseball game, or watch in anticipation at a track meet. There are a plethora of sports to watch, so grab tickets to a few and see which ones you enjoy most. Even if you aren’t huge on sports, you might be surprised at the fun you can have with your friends.
6. Get involved in something.
Simply going to class every day and partying on the weekends might not be as fulfilling as it seems. Be sure to scout out local clubs and organizations at your college — there are numerous ways to get involved and an endless list of causes. If you want to meet more people and are social, try joining Greek Life. If you miss playing soccer, see when the team meets. If you love learning about journalism, join one of the clubs that focuses on it. You might be surprised at all the different ways to get involved — and, in turn, you can make more friends by finding people with a similar common interest.
7. Try to find what makes you passionate.
The main purpose of college is to continue your education and start your career path by focusing on a major that appeals to you. This is easier said than done. Even if you are able to pick a major in your freshmen year, you might not find what drives your passion, but, I urge you to do so. What makes you happy? Gives you a sense of self? Is there something that inspires you? Ask yourself questions such as these and try to find out what that special something is and go do it. If you are into art, why not visit local museums and look into a part time job there? Finding what makes you passionate is not easy, but when you do find it, you will be able to figure out how you can turn this passion into a career.
8. Go out and have fun.
While it can be tempting to watch Netflix with your roommate or have a solo movie night, going out with friends will make your social life that much better. You will be able to meet more people while out and about and strengthen your relationship with your new friends by getting to know them more. If you don’t feel like hitting up a party, find other things to do. Go bowling, lace up your shoes for a hike, snag tickets to a concert — whatever it is you like to do, go out and do it. College is the time period when you’re lucky enough to have free time galore, so don’t always rely on Netflix to be your source of fun. Take advantage of that free time while you have it!
9. Don't be afraid of help.
You’re away from home for perhaps the first time. Don’t be shy when asking for assistance. It can be tough moving away and beginning this new chapter in life. If you’re struggling in class, attend a teacher’s office hours. They will be happy you took advantage of the time they set aside to ask one-on-one questions. If you need someone to talk to that is not a friend, don’t be afraid to seek out a school counselor. They are there for this exact reason and ready and willing to listen. Just remember, asking for help or guidance is not a sign of weakness, rather a sign of maturity.
10. Lastly, enjoy every single second.
This is the most overused phrase in the history of ever, but it is so incredibly true. You enter freshmen year wide-eyed and anxious, thinking you have all the time in the world. Then, suddenly you are in your last term of college, wondering where the hell did the time go? You were just moving into your shoe box sized dorm, and now, you're picking up your cap and gown. These are the most treasured years, so don’t forget to enjoy them and take advantage of all the wonderful and inspiring opportunities that college has to offer. You, too, may find that these are the best four years.
