Dear College Freshman,
Well, the time is here. You've been working toward this for more than a decade. It's time for college. Can you believe it? This is such an exciting time in your life so please enjoy it as much as you can.
The feeling you have walking into your new dorm room indescribable. Having the power to decorate it however you want, the feeling of community with your new neighbors, and the freedom to be able to essentially do whatever you want. All this freedom can be a little overwhelming so here are a few pieces of advise from a college senior to a new freshmen.
1. Go to class
As much fun as it can be to skip class to sleep in or catch breakfast with your new friends, go to class. While college is a mixture of all new experiences, don't forget that the main reason you are there for school. You're not paying thousands of dollars in tuition to get put on academic probation because you skipped class too much. Sometimes you'll wake up and just not want to go to class, it happens to everyone, but don't make it a regular thing to the point where it affects your grade. 9 out of 10 professors will have an attendance policy and a number of unexcused absences on the syllabus to help you keep track of your absences before they drop your grade.
2. Join an organization
Whether your interested in sports, greek life, music and art, or anything that your school offers, there is bound to be an organization you can join. Not only are organizations fun, but they help you meet so many other people that you may no have met otherwise. In college, no one will judge you on the organizations you join like people in high school might have so take the opportunities you can for getting involved on campus.
3. Keep your dorm room open
Especially during the first few weeks of school, keep it wide open. This allows people walking by the opportunity to say hi to you and your roommate. This is a great way to meet friends in your hall.
4. Spend time in the library
Most libraries have very cool and quiet little nooks that get you away from not only other people, but also the distractions you can run into with studying in your room. Getting into a quiet area with only your homework or study materials can help you buckle down and get your work done. Unlike high school, the library at college is one of the busiest, but quiet, places; especially during finals week. So explore and find areas where people don't normally sit in for a cozy area you can study away from distractions.
5. Go to office hours
Getting to know your teachers and TA's is only beneficial to you in the end. Don't be afraid to spend time in office hours with them if you are having trouble in class or just to get some advice on projects. College courses can be tough so don't try to go in it alone. Office hours' only purpose is to help you and professors will always welcome students. They would rather have you in office hours everyday for a course than have to take the course over again if you fail.
6. Get to know the town or city
While there are always a to of things to do on campus, go out and explore the town or city your college is located in. You might be surprised the cool things you find to do outside of campus. Every town or city has it's perks so don't limit yourself to staying on campus.
7. Don't be afraid to stay in
One of the things that college is notorious for is parties. Every college has them so finding a party to go out to with your friends is usually relatively easy, especially in the first couple weeks of school. However, you'll have a few weekends where your friends want to go out but you either aren't feeling it or have a bunch of homework to get done. Don't be afraid to tell them "no." While parties can be super fun, if you miss one, there will more-than-likely be one just like it next weekend. Make sure to keep your priorities straight whether you need a little you time or to cram for an exam you have coming up. College parties are easy to come by so don't feel left out.
8. Don't be afraid to change your major
A lot of people go into college with an idea in their head about what they want to do when they graduate. However, sometimes you sit in class and realize that your dreams have changed. Don't be afraid to change your major. As soon as you start considering making the change, make an appointment with your advisor. They will guide you through all of your options and how your schedule can be changed going forward. Also, if you decide to take the big step, they'll walk you through the process to change it. College is full of so many opportunities that if you don't want to do one thing anymore, it is pretty easy to switch to something else.
9. Call home
While you'll be so busy with your new life at college, don't forget the life you still have at home. Make sure to make time to call home whether it's a call to your parents, grandparents, aunts, uncle, cousins, siblings, friends, whatever; get in contact with them. They're the people who helped you through everything at home to be able to get to where you are so don't make them feel forgotten. The last thing you want is the "who are you?" jokes when you show up for winter break!
10. Enjoy it
The most cliche and basic piece of advice, but one of the most important. Going to college can be an extremely overwhelming change where you learn who you are as a person and truly start the journey of becoming an adult. Enjoy as much as you can because it won't last forever. So be spontaneous and adventurous, make lifelong friends, do something you've never done before, and do your homework. College could very well be the best four years of your life, but it won't happen on it's own. You have to make it happen.
So go out and make it happen, freshman, you wont regret it.
Sincerely,
A College Senior
