Freshman year is one of the most exciting times in a person’s life. It is a chance to get away from home and figure out who you are. It is a chance to meet new people, experience new things and finally reach out of that comfort zone. People constantly say college goes by in a blink of an eye and to enjoy every moment, because before you know it, the four years pass, and onto the real world you go. It is important to take that advice you hear so often and run with it.
1. Take advantage of every opportunity and possibility that comes your way.
College is the place where you begin to experience things you never could have imagined. It is important to find out every possibility and opportunity your school has to offer. There are endless resources. If you enjoy skiing, check out the ski club. Let your guard down and go explore. The chances of finding something you love to do are infinite and this is your time to shine, have fun and learn.
2. Do not procrastinate on your work.
You will soon learn that college work is very different from high school. It is more time consuming and all around more challenging. Give yourself time to write a paper or study for an exam. You will feel much less stressed if you aren’t rushing to finish a project or cram for a midterm.
3. Talk and create relationships with your professors.
You never know what kind of recommendation you might need from a professor for your dream job in the future. Professors enjoy getting to know their students and they have office hours for a reason. If you are struggling, talk to them. They are there to help you succeed. It is useless doing nothing but your best in a class when you have a perfectly great resource right in from of you.
4. Enjoy being home.
Living away from home for the first time is hard for you and your parents. Savor the home-cooked meal. Appreciate the precious time with your family. After the four college years come to an end, your home might not be the place you go back to every summer.
5. Be a part of the college community.
Support your university and the activities that are thrown your way. Whether it’s attending a Saturday football game or going to see a play, get involved. What you put in, you’ll get out. Be proud of your school and create memories.
6. Explore the city.
It is important to discover everything that is around you. You will regret staying in bed all day on a beautiful Saturday when you could have gone site seeing in a new area with friends. There are so many things to do in Philadelphia, whether it’s eating at Reading Terminal Market or checking out the famous Liberty Bell.
7. Do not fret if you don’t know what career you want.
It is OK to not know what you want to do with your life at 18. Life’s a journey. Don’t rush it. Take everyday as an opportunity to figure out who you are and what makes you happy. Take different classes and decide what you like best. In the end, you will end up where you are supposed to be.
8. Put yourself out there and meet people.
Finding a group of friends in a new city at a huge university can be very difficult, especially after leaving your tight group of friends from a small high school. Talk to people you pass on the way to class. Be open, be friendly and take every opportunity you have to make a new friend. You will not regret it.
9. Take care of yourself.
Working out will not only keep you physically strong, it will keep you mentally strong. Eat well and go to class. Study. Work hard and get eight hours of sleep during the week. That way when the weekend comes along you can enjoy it and make memories that will last a lifetime.
10. Cherish It. Every. Single. Day.
Before you know it you will be entering your senior year. You will look back and wonder where the time has gone. Take chances, learn and be ready to enjoy the best four years of your life.
