Going away to college, especially far from home, can be really scary. I remember spending weeks frantically worrying about if I was going to make any friends, if I had the right backpack or wardrobe and how long I was going to get lost trying to get to class. Here is a list of 10 things I wish I had known my first semester in college.
1. Dressing up for class is kind of weird.
I remember my first day of summer semester, I was eager and decided I wanted to wear a dress. Once I got into my classroom everyone stared at me because they all had on "norts" and oversized t-shirts. Key tip about the oversized t-shirt: Don't leave pants a complete mystery.
2. Your random roommate doesn't have to be your best friend, just your roommate.
I personally had a bad experience with my roommate freshman year. We were randoms who had planned to live together for summer, fall and spring, but after summer things went downhill quickly. I quickly learned that we didn't have to be best friends, but I did have to live with her so I needed to make sure I wasn't living in a war zone.
3. Don't take challenging classes your first semester.
I know you may want to get a head start into your major, but I advise against any challenging classes your first semester. Your first semester you are still adjusting to college life and figuring out how to manage your time. take the easy classes that can help ease your way into college courses.
4. Use a planner.
I am one of the most unorganized people I know and I quickly learned that I needed to have a planner so I would know what was due in my classes and when. A planner will keep you on track and somewhat organized.
5. If you're planning on going through recruitment, give every house a chance.
Don't turn up your nose to a house just because of things you have heard about it from other people. Every chapter is full of a diverse group of girls and they are just as nervous as you are.
6. Don't be afraid to try and make friends.
In high school, that RBF may have worked for you, but it's not going to work so well in college. Girls don't want to be friends with mean girls, and there is no such thing as people popular in college so get over yourself, be nice, and try to make some friends.
7. Don't just hang out with your high school crowd.
Branch out and meet new people! You will meet some of the best people in your life in college and you aren't going to meet those people if you don't broaden your horizons and meet some new people.
8. Most guys you meet your freshman year aren't looking for a relationship.
Most boys don't seem to want to settle down in college until their Junior or Senior year if they do at all, so don't be shocked when you see that freshman boy you have a crush on leaving the bar with another girl.
9. College boys just suck.
The girls that find nice boys that treat them well are damn lucky because most boys only care about partying and themselves. There are so many distractions in college, that to most boys, having a girlfriend is the very last thing they have on their mind. With this piece of knowledge, tread cautiously when meeting boys and think about what their intentions are. If they're asking you on a date or just trying to take you home from a bar, those are two completely different types of boys. Take the date.
10. Don't be afraid to have fun.
I know college can be scary, but this is your first time out in the world (somewhat) on your own. Don't be afraid to take that road trip, have lunch with that cute boy from your class, and make new friends.
College is full of new experiences that will change you completely. College will either make you or break you, but you have the power to decide which path to take. take these tips and advice from a senior who wished she knew all of this her freshman year.
