11 Things You Learn During Freshman Year
Start writing a post
Student Life

11 Things You Learn During Freshman Year

You may not have learned anything in your classes, but you did learn some life lessons

153
11 Things You Learn During Freshman Year
Ziptopia

When we came into college, we were completely lost. We didn’t know anyone, and we definitely didn’t know our way around. Moving into a small room and having to share it with someone else was a terrible thought to you, but you adapted to it. Now, with the end of the year sneaking up on us and finals ready to either make or break our grades, it’s time to reflect on what we’ve learned. We aren’t wide-eyed freshmen anymore. We know our way around, and we have created our own group of friends. We’ve adapted to the college way of life, but we’ve also learned a lot along the way.

1. You have a lot more stuff when you leave than when you came to college.

[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F04%2F27%2F635973824901701993-1378995079_packing.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=1007&h=2f1c93436b5007c22049075f7eb6982ef86a877c46b9fe247fccae6c6bfcd9d2&size=980x&c=3643957129 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F04%252F27%252F635973824901701993-1378995079_packing.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D1007%26h%3D2f1c93436b5007c22049075f7eb6982ef86a877c46b9fe247fccae6c6bfcd9d2%26size%3D980x%26c%3D3643957129%22%7D" expand=1]


While you're packing to leave your freshman dorm, you wonder how the three suitcases you brought with you in August just aren't holding everything you need them to hold. You start to wonder when you acquired so many more belongings.

2. You procrastinated way too much.

[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F04%2F27%2F635973825727007891257108117_i-dont-procrastinate-i-just-do-things-later.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=306&h=dd7a1f48d370d9ba4abe6c8fc69cad85edf66acb2c97ffa1fcc78037300c5c4e&size=980x&c=3646193267 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F04%252F27%252F635973825727007891257108117_i-dont-procrastinate-i-just-do-things-later.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D306%26h%3Ddd7a1f48d370d9ba4abe6c8fc69cad85edf66acb2c97ffa1fcc78037300c5c4e%26size%3D980x%26c%3D3646193267%22%7D" expand=1]


Yeah, it worked out for you throughout the semester but now you have three billion pages to read, a couple hundred essays and not a single clue how you're going to finish all of it in a week. Yay.

3. All those skipped classes weren’t really worth the extra sleep.

[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F04%2F27%2F635973827000577748-1104909523_Lucy-Hale-No-Idea-Whats-Going-On-Here-Reaction-Gif.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=801&h=cc4685892ad85342201e55531772cb85d6ddee2e49263feeb434b57d1e62bf5c&size=980x&c=2351636706 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F04%252F27%252F635973827000577748-1104909523_Lucy-Hale-No-Idea-Whats-Going-On-Here-Reaction-Gif.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D801%26h%3Dcc4685892ad85342201e55531772cb85d6ddee2e49263feeb434b57d1e62bf5c%26size%3D980x%26c%3D2351636706%22%7D" expand=1]


I'm sorry. What chapter are we on? What book do we use? What class even is this? These are just a few of the questions you'll find yourself asking when all you've done is go to class to take the tests and skipped the rest of the time. College students need their sleep sometimes.

4. You’re more excited than you thought you’d be to finally go home.

[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F04%2F27%2F635973827779044976-1940250303_giphy.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=843&h=e57cc9283699d2809d679fe617a4ca61a6a36bc47a270b756dad07fe60da5b36&size=980x&c=3478875181 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F04%252F27%252F635973827779044976-1940250303_giphy.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D843%26h%3De57cc9283699d2809d679fe617a4ca61a6a36bc47a270b756dad07fe60da5b36%26size%3D980x%26c%3D3478875181%22%7D" expand=1]


When your parents dropped you off in August, you thought you'd never want to see them again. Well, it has been about eight months and the random weekend and holiday visits just aren't cutting it anymore.You miss your family, not to mention your own room.

5. Changing your major could be one of the greatest decisions you could make.

[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F04%2F27%2F635973828913713746569873293_Sj3XLQL.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=437&h=20b3547e00d1db6b54cb906c4e8c5f90b51ff9923b5acc86077dcf96d0c6b21d&size=980x&c=2502078128 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F04%252F27%252F635973828913713746569873293_Sj3XLQL.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D437%26h%3D20b3547e00d1db6b54cb906c4e8c5f90b51ff9923b5acc86077dcf96d0c6b21d%26size%3D980x%26c%3D2502078128%22%7D" expand=1]


Realizing that what you thought you wanted to do is actually the complete opposite of what you enjoy doing is a hard thing to grasp, but once you find out what you really want to do, college becomes less of a struggle and more of something you enjoy.

6. Professors procrastinate, too.

[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F04%2F27%2F635973831470645078-1823011207_The_darkest_timeline.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=237&h=2efe61d3455387859b91e9004dd3c1027d1e86d54c53369df787a24e62403fed&size=980x&c=3517447194 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F04%252F27%252F635973831470645078-1823011207_The_darkest_timeline.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D237%26h%3D2efe61d3455387859b91e9004dd3c1027d1e86d54c53369df787a24e62403fed%26size%3D980x%26c%3D3517447194%22%7D" expand=1]


Oh, yes, your professors didn't give you everything they needed to in order to cover everything on the final, so be prepared for five essays, three tests, and two presentations the week before finals. Oh, and your final is cumulative. May the odds be ever in your favor.

7. You've made some lifelong friends -- and lost some friends, too.

[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F04%2F27%2F635973834869427459555293289_tumblr_n1vvycilJ21qj4315o1_500.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=974&h=ff5297f3d4dab8e122e0ebbb106e2ebc2c8a3e0462bece634da2b9ea0a0054d4&size=980x&c=3260486346 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F04%252F27%252F635973834869427459555293289_tumblr_n1vvycilJ21qj4315o1_500.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D974%26h%3Dff5297f3d4dab8e122e0ebbb106e2ebc2c8a3e0462bece634da2b9ea0a0054d4%26size%3D980x%26c%3D3260486346%22%7D" expand=1]


You've met the people who will be your adult friends. The ones you go on double dates with even after you're both married. High school friends are great and some last, but most of the time people grow apart and sometimes the distance is too great to cross.

8. You’ve had a lot of fun, and made a lot of great memories.

[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F04%2F29%2F635975709701594784485471468_635973836103962194-1251343007_Harry-happy-memories.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=728&h=2151a0fac71979e65f9efc87fc48552beeb019e450b7ab9cc0b1b013c6c5e5c1&size=980x&c=2388929514 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F04%252F29%252F635975709701594784485471468_635973836103962194-1251343007_Harry-happy-memories.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D728%26h%3D2151a0fac71979e65f9efc87fc48552beeb019e450b7ab9cc0b1b013c6c5e5c1%26size%3D980x%26c%3D2388929514%22%7D" expand=1]


Your memories from your freshman year of college are some that you'll carry with you. You laughed, you cried, you learned, and you made a lot of friends. They aren't memories you're very likely to forget.

9. It is possible to function on little to no sleep.

[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F04%2F27%2F635973836903976939-1517311922_tumblr_mz77fkxxIr1soax2qo1_500.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=598&h=6841404833605464d04fc653d53a25d937fae9d8e81af84aa18476a27fd1821e&size=980x&c=3268242620 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F04%252F27%252F635973836903976939-1517311922_tumblr_mz77fkxxIr1soax2qo1_500.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D598%26h%3D6841404833605464d04fc653d53a25d937fae9d8e81af84aa18476a27fd1821e%26size%3D980x%26c%3D3268242620%22%7D" expand=1]


Psh. Who needs sleep, anyway? You can go to bed at 5 a.m. and get up for your 8 a.m. just fine. Actually no you can't but you're going to do it anyway and rely on sugar and caffeine to get you through the day.

10. You aren’t going to miss the community bathrooms.

[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F04%2F27%2F635973838958557579837182879_asw3y.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=608&h=59f1082a89739d98abee44d331637197e16c9b27bbf4ab9bb446c478a22bed57&size=980x&c=2668984078 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F04%252F27%252F635973838958557579837182879_asw3y.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D608%26h%3D59f1082a89739d98abee44d331637197e16c9b27bbf4ab9bb446c478a22bed57%26size%3D980x%26c%3D2668984078%22%7D" expand=1]


It may seem like a strange thing, but not having to share a bathroom with 25 other people every day is heaven.

11. You actually really love your school.

[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F04%2F27%2F635973840708205723-1397477403_tumblr_n2t9yhHclW1re4by8o1_500.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=304&h=a94e1ea267b1d848ef0e1c41c4dada3ab11f6e885f01a2010f928e52a236e4cd&size=980x&c=3334710425 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F04%252F27%252F635973840708205723-1397477403_tumblr_n2t9yhHclW1re4by8o1_500.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D304%26h%3Da94e1ea267b1d848ef0e1c41c4dada3ab11f6e885f01a2010f928e52a236e4cd%26size%3D980x%26c%3D3334710425%22%7D" expand=1]


Whether you decide to stay or transfer somewhere else, the school that you go to your freshman year of college is always going to hold a special place in your heart. It's where you got your first taste of freedom and adulthood. It's where you made some of your best friends and it's where some of your best memories were created. It's your school and you feel a weird sense of family with every other student there.

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

21 EDM Songs for a Non-EDM Listener

Ever wanted to check out EDM music, but didn't know where to start? Look no further! Start here.

2787
21 EDM Songs for a Non-EDM Listener
www.wallpapersafari.com

If you have been following me for a long time, then you know I write about two main things: relateable articles and communication media based articles. Now, it is time for me to combine the two. For those of you that don't know, I am a radio DJ at IUP, and I DJ for a show called BPM (Beats Per Minute). It is an EDM, or electronic dance music, based show and I absolutely love it.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

100 Reasons to Choose Happiness

Happy Moments to Brighten Your Day!

22753
A man with a white beard and mustache wearing a hat

As any other person on this planet, it sometimes can be hard to find the good in things. However, as I have always tried my hardest to find happiness in any and every moment and just generally always try to find the best in every situation, I have realized that your own happiness is much more important than people often think. Finding the good in any situation can help you to find happiness in some of the simplest and unexpected places.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

6 Things Owning A Cat Has Taught Me

This one's for you, Spock.

8736
6 Things Owning A Cat Has Taught Me
Liz Abere

Owning a pet can get difficult and expensive. Sometimes, their vet bills cost hundreds of dollars just for one visit. On top of that, pets also need food, a wee wee pad for a dog, a litter box with litter for a cat, toys, and treats. Besides having to spend hundreds of dollars on them, they provide a great companion and are almost always there when you need to talk to someone. For the past six years, I have been the proud owner of my purebred Bengal cat named Spock. Although he's only seven years and four months old, he's taught me so much. Here's a few of the things that he has taught me.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

Kinder Self - Eyes

You're Your Own Best Friend

9552
Kinder Self - Eyes
Pexels

It's fun to see all of the selfies on social media, they are everywhere. I see pictures with pouty lips, duck lips and pucker lips. I see smokey eyes, huge fake lashes and nicely done nose jobs, boob jobs and butt lifts. Women working out in spandex, tiny tops and flip flops. I see tight abs and firm butts, manicured nails and toes, up dos and flowing hair. "Wow", I think to myself," I could apply tons of make-up, spend an hour on my hair, pose all day and not look like that. Maybe I need a longer stick!"

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

Rap Songs With A Deeper Meaning

Rap is more than the F-bomb and a beat. Read what artists like Fetty, Schoolboy Q, Drake, and 2Pac can teach you.

28164
Rap artist delivers performance on stage
Photo by Chase Fade on Unsplash

On the surface, rap songs may carry a surface perception of negativity. However, exploring their lyrics reveals profound hidden depth.Despite occasional profanity, it's crucial to look beyond it. Rap transcends mere wordplay; these 25 song lyrics impart valuable life lessons, offering insights that extend beyond the conventional perception of rap music.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments