Orientation groups and lanyard, high school t-shirt wearing incoming freshmen.
It's hard to think that I was one of those orientation attendees a short year ago.
lol this is what you guys look like btw.
So hey what's up hello, I'm now a sophomore in college so I obviously have a lot of knowledge about freshman year. But seriously I do, so listen up.😋
1. Expect to get taunted for being a freshman
I understand that you didn't choose to be a freshman, and if there was a way to skip the title "freshman", I'm sure everyone would. It's not like you'll get made fun of all year, pretty much just for a month or two as you travel in packs of 10+ to parties and whatnot. Be prepared to get called names from passing cars of upper-classmen. It's all in good fun. Builds character.
2. Even if you chose your roommate, you might not like them
I know this from experience. I chose my first roommate from one of those app things that forced freshmen to meet so that we wouldn't be as awkward once we were released into college. Yeah, we got along I guess, but getting along with someone and living with someone are two completely different things. Thankfully, I moved out and found the love of my life (no homo) in roommate form and freshman year was saved. (Thx Holly, ily)
3. Class isn't a fashion show
By all means, you can dress however you want, and it's not like you'll get judged for what you wear to class or around campus. All I'm saying is, you can give 0% effort in how you look and literally no one will care. That's the beauty of college. I would dress how I felt, which was a 50/50 chance between looking semi-good or looking like I just got hit by a semi.
4. GO TO CLASS
For the love of all that is holy, go to class. I understand that that class is probably stupid and 9am is a lot earlier than what it was in high school, but it's literally a waste of money to not go. I don't even want to talk about my first semester of college, and the reason that I didn't do as well as I know I could have is because I didn't go to class. You'll hear it from every upperclassman, but we all know that you'll still skip. Eh, C's get degrees. I just talked myself out of my own rule. But seriously go to class please.
5. It's okay to make stupid choices
Yeah, college is meant for gaining a degree that will act as either a drink coaster or a ticket to becoming a millionaire, no in-between. jk. College is also meant for gaining life experiences, good and bad. You're gonna make healthy and unhealthy experiences, both physically and mentally. College is the last step into adulthood, so it does a lot of the shaping of who you're going to be.
Be prepared to be that friend that gets too drunk and makes a fool out of themselves, and also be prepared to take care of others when they're in the same boat.
6. Take full advantage of the dining hall
Seriously. Make that dining hall your bitch. Yeah, Sonic runs are rad, and you obviously need that pizza at 1am. But go to the dining hall and go to it as often as you can. Tell the food swiper inner person that you want it to go, and then eat in the dining hall and fill that to go box. #loophole. You aren't allowed to dodge the freshman 15, just accept it.
7. You probably aren't gonna join that club
You know that club you're so set on joining? By all means, do. Before my freshman year, I was so set that I was gonna work out every day, go on hikes every weekend, be in like 5 clubs, have a job, volunteer at retirement homes and be a full-time student. Lol @ past me. L O L. Sure, you're capable of anything you put your mind to, but don't fill your plate too full. Get the hang of college, and make time for naps. You're gonna remain busy regardless, even if you consider watching Blue Mountain State for the 4th time busy. I know that you want to try everything that your college has to offer, and trust me you'll have time to!
8. If you have a car, prepare to be looked at as the Taxi service
At my college, parking passes are ridiculously expensive, but since I had just gotten a car, it was a must for college. What I wasn't prepared for was people constantly wanting rides to places and always being declared the designated driver. As hard as it is, charge those bitches gas money. My car gets a solid 12 miles to the gallon and I could've made a killing in gas money, but I was too caught up in the fact that I was in control of when and where my friends would go. You're welcome, guys 💞
9. Don't forget to stay in touch with family members
Whenever I'm homesick, I automatically call my mom. Whenever something goes wrong, I call my dad. Whenever I do something stupid, I call my siblings--who I know will get a kick out of it.
simple as that.
10. Document as much as you can
Good or bad. Obviously selfies, and you obviously need a picture of that squirrel who is holding a strawberry. Honestly, good for that squirrel.
But really, looking back at all of the pictures from freshman year reminds me of who I used to be and it's funny how much I've changed--I didn't even notice that I had. There will be pictures of people that you thought would be in your life forever (lol whoops) and pictures of experiences that you can't wait to experience again.
Not everything will be social media appropriate, and for the love of God, don't post ridiculous drunk pictures or videos of yourself or your friends on social media. It's just stupid. Funny as hell, but stupid nonetheless.
Be safe, be a little stupid, and surround yourself with people that will help you grow.
And ditch the lanyard.
