10 Things I Learned The Hard Way My First Year Of College
Start writing a post
Student Life

10 Things I Learned The Hard Way My First Year Of College

I survived, that's all that matters.

5152
10 Things I Learned The Hard Way My First Year Of College
Personal

There are some tips I wish I had received going into my freshman year. A few of which are quite obvious, but I wish I had considered a bit more seriously. Hopefully incoming freshman can learn from a few of my rookie mistakes. No matter how many times they can be drilled in, every freshman inevitably will have to experience these things for themselves.

1. Making friends in college is sometimes difficult.


If you were introverted prior to college, you will definitely need to push yourself more outside of your comfort zone to make friends which definitely is not always the easiest thing to do.

2. College classes are a struggle.


Adjusting academically was more of a challenge than I had expected. Figuring out my time management and the constant workload took some time.

3. Seeking out help


This isn’t something most people were good at in high school, but going to office hours is important. It is definitely a lot harder to get A’s in college, but it is a lot easier to get your professors to round up students' grades.

4. The freshman fifteen is real.

Choosing healthy food options in the freshman cafeteria was more of a challenge than I expected. Those midnight pizza's came more often then I expected.

5. The flu season is more of a plague season.

It’s almost impossible to not get sick every other month while living in a dorm building. Disease travels quick and far with so many people living together.

6. The mailrooms in dorm buildings are the worst.

If it wasn’t for Amazon Prime, it would take forever to receive a package. On top of packages taking forever to be delivered, the line to receive the package itself was always long. Having to deal with the mailroom, in general, was time-consuming.

7. College students are gross.

Having to share a community bathroom with other college kids is not fun and college diets are typically not being the best. It’s nothing less than a mess.

8. FOMO is real.

Learn how to say no because there will be nights that you’ll have to stay in on a Thursday night to study for the big test you have the next day or finish that paper due at 11:59 p.m.

9. Relationships work out the way they are meant to.

People from your high school may drift apart and that’s okay. The people you meet the first week of college are most likely not going to be with you on your last week of college. Everything works out in the end, and you continue to meet people throughout your college career.

10. You definitely learn more about yourself.

You learn how to handle the unavoidable stress in college and how to be independent for the first time in your life. You learn more about who you are as an individual and how you handle situations alone.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

57480
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

37024
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

958761
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

191049
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments