10 Things I've Learned As Freshman Year Comes To A Close

10 Things I've Learned As Freshman Year Comes To A Close

Nine months taught me more than just what I learned in a classroom.

Abigail Stout
Abigail Stout May 27, 2019
123
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Nine months ago I moved out on my own for the first time as I started my college career. Now, as I watch it come to a close (literally, because I move out tomorrow) I can see how much those nine months have really grown me. To grow, you have to go through a lesson of some sort. Those lessons all taught me something in result.

Because of that, here's a list of 10 things I learned throughout my first year of college.

1. Naps are crucial if you want to actually make it through the day. 

They're extremely important, especially when you're running on only a few hours of sleep. I never took so many naps until I came to college.

2. Everything adds up.

I already knew this before, but you really realize how much every little thing adds up when you're in college.

3. Home-cooked meals are always better.

When you eat fast food so often, you really come to appreciate a homecooked meal. You quickly realize that it will always be better than fast food.

4. Cable is overrated.

Now, to keep up with any shows I watched live, I used Hulu and CWtv.com. Plus, Netflix exists. I realized I didn't really need cable.

5. Saying goodbye is hard.

Whether it's saying goodbye to my friends and family at home or saying goodbye to my friends at school for the weekend, goodbyes are hard. I wish we could all be together all the time.

6. Take time for yourself.

Between school, working and having an internship, I found myself to be under a pretty busy schedule. While I really enjoyed everything I was a part of, I learned the importance of saying no and taking time for me to just breathe. This is why naps are so important.

7. Changing a tire is really hard.

So is buying new tires, getting my oil changed and just doing anything with my car in general.

8. Sometimes you just need to talk to your mom.

Bad test? Call Mom. Long day at work? Call Mom. Unsure of a recipe? Call Mom.

No matter what, always call mom. Even for the good things.

SEE ALSO: 23 Reasons You Call Your Mom In College

9. Bringing a blanket to class isn't frowned upon.

I don't care if it's 90 degrees outside; it will be freezing inside the building and you must bring a blanket to survive the three hour class without freezing.

10. College friends are friends for life.

You build this family within your friend group. These are the people who will be a part of my wedding, who will be my children's aunts/uncles, and who I will grow up with. Make sure you find good ones to go through life with.

Abigail Stout
Abigail Stout May 27, 2019
At Aspiring Journalism Professionals

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30 First-Apartment Essentials College Kids Forget To Buy At Target And Later Order On Amazon

Don't wait until you need to take something out of the oven to realize that you don't have any oven mitts.

Erin Alzapiedi
Erin Alzapiedi Jun 18, 2018
25733
views

If you're anything like I am, you're beyond excited to start planning and shopping for your first apartment. It's easy to get wrapped up in the fun stuff for your first apartment, trust me, as a former Bed Bath & Beyond employee I could spend hours wandering through shower curtains and bedding.

Before you get too carried away there are just some essential things that you'll need, but they aren't as much fun to pick out. Don't wait until you need to take something out of the oven to realize that you don't have any oven mitts, because I really don't see that ending well for you (I may or may not know that from personal experience).

1. Oven mitts

Gets those oven mitts because the sleeve of your sweater might seem like it will work, but I'm living proof that it won't, most sweaters have holes.

2. Trash bags

Don't wait until you need to throw something away to realize you don't have them.

3. Hand soap

It's not like a dorm bathroom where the maintenance staff refills a soap dispenser that's drilled into the wall. You're on your own kid.

4. Toilet paper

Again, no staff replacing it for you. Stay on top of it and make sure you always replace an empty roll, especially if you have roommates.

5. Water filter or pitcher

This one depends on whether your water is safe to drink or not, but be prepared. You don't want to move in under the summer sun only to realize you don't have any drinkable water at your snazzy new pad.

6. Tools

Hammers, screwdrivers, all that jazz. If you're moving in some furniture you're probably going to need tools to put it together.

7. Lighting

You don't want to be unpacking and stumbling around a new space in the dark your first night. Know what lighting is built in and where you might need to add some light.

8. Silverware organizer

Ok, so you probably remembered to pack the silverware, but do you really want to throw it all in a pile in a drawer? That's a good way to grab the wrong end of a knife by accident, maybe get some dividers to keep your silverware nice and sorted.

9. Dish towels

Most people think about bath towels, but if you're not used to having a kitchen you might not have thought of dish towels. You're going to need those when you're whipping up your favorite dinner.

10. Measuring cups

I'm a huge advocate for estimating and guessing in the kitchen, but if you're baking anything at all you should probably at least have some measuring utensils as a guide.

11. Bottle opener and corkscrew

You're going to want to crack open a drink and celebrate your first night in the new place. Wouldn't it be a buzzkill if you couldn't even get the drinks open?

12. Sponges

You have to be able to clean the counters and the dishes when you're done being an expert chef!

13. Paper towels

Spills happen, and you don't always want to clean them with your nice towels.

14. Toilet plunger

It's one of those things you never really think about... that is, until you need one.

15. Air freshner

You know, for after you use the toilet plunger.

16. Extension cords

You probably have a larger space than you're used to, sometimes those cords that come with all your new electronics just aren't quite long enough.

17. Utensil container

A little round pot or bucket is the perfect place to put all of your kitchen utensils. Things like spatulas and whisks will take up space in your drawers and create clutter. Plus, keeping them out makes them easier to grab when you're whipping up some food.

18. Batteries

There's nothing worse than getting your new TV all set up and realizing you can't use the remote.

19. Curtains

If you need darkness to sleep, you want to make sure you get those bedroom curtains up and ready to roll.

20. Toilet bowl brush

Sorry, but I'm certainly not reaching in there with my hands.

21. Ice cube trays

To keep you cool as a cucumber during this stressful time.

22. Can opener

Try prying a can open with your hands. I dare you.

23. Stain remover

For when you try to pry the can open with your hands and manage to spray tomato sauce all over yourself.

24. Carbon monoxide/Smoke detectors

Cause we don't want any tragedies here.

25. Collander

We both know you will be making pasta every night, so you're going to need to drain it.

26. Coasters

You definitely don't want to ruin your super fancy new Ikea table.

27. Dry erase board

No need to argue over who should take out the trash, just make sure to write down everyone's chores.

28. Underbed storage

On a college budget there's no way you can expect a walk-in closet, those clothes and shoes will have to go somewhere.

29. Drying rack

For when the dryer in your building inevitably stops working.

30. Step stool

If you're short, like me, you need a little help reaching that top shelf.

Hopefully this list has helped you feel a little more prepared to move into your first apartment. The decorating and planning is so much more enjoyable when you know you have all of your bases covered. I wish you the best of luck with your first major endeavor in the world of adulting!

Note: As an Amazon Associate, Odyssey may earn a portion of qualifying sales.

Cover Image Credit:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BkJPN0OgwBI/?hl=en&tagged=target

Erin Alzapiedi
Erin Alzapiedi Jun 18, 2018
At University of Massachusetts, Amherst

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Now That Freshman Year Is Over, I Can See That Life DOES Go On And Get Better

It's a roller coaster, but it's worth it.

Sarah Salles
Sarah Salles Jun 4, 2019
203
views

To all the graduating seniors that are graduating high school, you will soon become a freshman. As a current freshman, I understand the joy and excitement of starting college. Who wouldn't? It is a fun, new adventure. However, once I got to college, my dream was ruined (yet improved) at the same time. To start, my original roommates hated me, so I moved out and dealt with that drama while adjusting to some hard classes (Chemistry, I am pointing right at you).

The worst week of college was when my roommates and I would fight while stressing over the mountain of homework I had to do. It worked out because I live with a better roommate and I am somehow managing the workload the best I can. But let's face it, everyone is struggling in college. Luckily, I have an amazing support system. In my Chem class, I ran into people I knew from other clubs, and though we started off as strangers, we became best friends. I mean, who else can I rant about my horrible Chem professor to? In fact, in most of my classes, I've been lucky to have or make friends because you can relate to each other in so many ways.

It is so hard to strike that work/life balance since my pre-nursing track requires a lot of courses. Some courses cause you to stress and second guess your life choices. But guess what? Life goes on and life gets better. Not all of my professors have been bad. It has been the opposite as most of them have been really good and fair. I know how hard it is to dwell on the bad grade or bad class but you can't. College makes it easy to go insane, especially when some classes are meant for weeding students out. No matter how hard a class is don't give up on your dream career but it is okay to consider if this is what you truly want to do. One bad day of studying won't define you, you will think you did worse than you probably did.

Do me a favor, believe in yourself and don't let the anxiety get to you. Try to have a solid work/life balance and enjoy yourself because before you know it freshman year will be over.

Sarah Salles
Sarah Salles Jun 4, 2019
At The State University of New York at Stony Brook

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