As freshman year comes to a close, I have found myself spending a lot of time reflecting on the past year. Freshman year of college is a huge transition as well as a major opportunity for growth. Living on your own for the first time is exciting, however, it comes with inevitable responsibilities. While college is about having the time of your life, meeting lifelong friends, and living out the memories that will be the best stories to share at dinner club someday, we are all at college to get an education. I have compiled little things that have made those responsibilities easier and more manageable.
Making my bed
When you make your bed, your room automatically feels ten times cleaner and your life looks and feels together (even if it's totally not).
Exercising
Whether you do twenty minutes of abs or run a couple miles, it's important to have an exercise routine. Daily exercise makes you feel on top of the world, boosts your confidence and self-esteem, and can help clear your mind if you are feeling stressed or sad.
Watching out for carbs
College dining halls are notorious for being full of carbs. They are cheap and fill you up (and taste so good) so it is understandable that they are everywhere. However, too many carbs are not good for your health or energy levels. I try to limit myself to one carb related item each day and look for protein, produce, and salads instead.
Making a personal budget and actually sticking to it
In college it's unbelievable how easy it is to go through money. I found it helpful to look at my expenses and decide where I could cut back. (This meant cutting my paper towels in half so that I didn't have touch my coffee spending). My roommate swears by personal finance apps where I'm prefer my budget section in my planner.
Find a study spot
Everyone is different when it comes to how they study. I swear by the deep depths of the library, but some people prefer coffee houses, or their even their dorm rooms. I recommend giving a lot of different options a try and figuring out what allows you to be the most productive. Studying should be a daily activity (even if it's only for an hour or two) so it's important you know where you can go to get your grind on.
Go talk to your professors
I was so intimidated at first to go see my professors inoffice hours but once I finally gained the courage (second semester), it turned out they are nothing but super nice and personable. It's important to develop good relationships with professors especially in your field of study so that they can be resources when it comes to recommendation letters and being recruited for a job.
Make sure you save all your documents, always
I had to learn this one the hard way after I accidentally let my laptop die, and down with it went 6 pages of a research paper that I hadn't saved. Before you type one sentence on a document, take the thirty seconds it takes to save it because you will thank yourself a thousand times over if anything happens.
If you are on the fence about rushing Greek life, do it
I came to college not knowing if Greek life was something I really wanted to do. I ended up going through formal recruitment and it was the best thing I did. Being part of a sorority has allowed me tobe way more involved on campus than I ever thought I would be and mostimportantly has introduced me to some amazing girls.
Make a plan when you go out
Make sure you have a solid plan with your friends forvarious scenarios. Have charged phones with locations shared and turned on and be aware that even though it may feel like it, you are not invincible. Stick to your friends and look out for not only your best interest, but theirs too. You are in this together.
Be prepared for your living standards to reach an all-time low
Never did I ever imagine that I would put up with some of the disgusting aspects that come with living in a dorm, but here we are. Communal bathrooms are the real prize when it comes to low standards. Mold growing in shower crevices and unidentifiable gunk crustedaround the facets is just touching the surface. I remember the first time I got in the shower and closed the curtain only to reveal colored textured stains growing on the plastic sheet that can only be best described as what I imagine living STDs to look like.
