Since I have just wrapped up my freshman year of college, I still remember this time last year before I stepped foot on campus as an official student. There was a lot of excitement, mixed with some fear of the unknown. There is only so much about college the internet can tell you. A lot of if you will learn from experience. That can be scary, but it's not a bad thing. One of the most concise statements to be said about college is that it is a steep learning curve in almost all areas of your life. It will be fantastic, but it will also challenge you in new and different ways all year.
Here are just a few things I wish I'd known before I started.
1. Welcome Week is awesome but it is not an accurate representation of day-to-day college life.
Many colleges, including mine, have a Welcome Week in which they ease you into the transition as best they can. This will not last. Your training wheels will be off at earliest after Welcome Week, or at latest at the end of the first semester.
It's a wonderful way to start college because you will get to know a lot of people very quickly that you can then refer back to when Welcome Week is over. It is not uncommon, though, to see people every day during Welcome Week and then barely once a week around campus the rest of the year unless you make an effort to hang out more.
2. Make friends on your residence hall floor. You're living with them all year, so why not make the best of it?
One huge mistake I made freshman year was assuming that since I already knew people in other dorms, I didn't need to get to know people on my own floor. While it's great and not unusual to have friends in other residence halls, the people on your floor live closest to you. They will be much easier to go to for last minute plans for a Netflix marathon, grabbing dinner, or a shoulder to cry on.
3. Don't take 8 am classes if you can avoid them.
Unless there's a class that you need to or really want to take at that time in the morning, I would strongly advise against it. I liked my 8 AM class these last two semesters, so it was worth it to me, but it was also difficult to get out of bed some mornings. Also, just because you might be a morning person in high school does not mean you're a morning person in college. You will likely be staying up later than you did in high school, and you will want your sleep.
4. If you're single, do not rush into trying to find a boyfriend or girlfriend.
I know the temptation is there, having just joined a huge class of people who are almost all strangers to you. The possibilities seem endless. This isn't to say you won't find someone in your first year of college. Some lucky people do but trying to rush it is just as futile in college as it is in high school. Taking your time and getting to know people is the best thing you can do in college, both in finding friends and finding a date.
5. Talk to your professors.
This goes for all year, every year of college, not just the first semester. Even if you just reach out when you have a question, or say hello to them on campus, they love it. Especially at smaller schools, the professors are there for the students and love to see students expressing an interest in what they're teaching. I've had a number of professors already encourage me to ask for help in future classes if I'm having trouble with a paper, or just to pop into their office to say hello.
6. If you have time for a job, try to get one.
Many of you probably worked over the summer for your pocket money during the year. That's great, but you may also want to continue to build that by getting an on-campus job. You may spend your summer earnings more quickly than you think, be it on Greek life dues, gas for your car, or Starbucks. If you can get an on-campus job (or even off-campus if you have a car), I would highly recommend it.
7. Get involved with things you will enjoy.
This is something I did know to do, thankfully, and it was the best decision I ever made. I got involved with theater during the first semester as part of tech crew and met some of my best friends during that time. I also joined a sorority which is something else that interested me, and that also turned out to be a great decision. Do what you love, and you will find like-minded friends and peers to make your college experience even better.
8. Make time for your old friends.
College makes it very difficult sometimes to look back and find time to talk to your friends and family. They knew you first and they will always be there for you, so take advantage of that. College is a tough transition, so don't forget you have people to fall back on. Also, it's just fun to catch up sometimes, not realizing how much of each other's lives you've been missing!
9. Explore the area around your college.
No matter where you go to college, whether it's 10 minutes from your childhood home or halfway across the country, there will be new things for you to discover. Especially if it's a new area, I would recommend going off campus on some weekends to explore - you'll be sure to find something new and interesting!
10. If you need help, ask for it.
There is no shame in asking for help, be it on a math problem or dealing with mental illness. Not asking for help doesn't make you stronger, it just lets you fall behind. College, like life, doesn't slow down when you need it to, so all you can do is to take time for yourself when you can and ask for help if you need it.
Don't forget to have fun! Good luck!
