As the year is coming to a close, I have been spending a lot of time reflecting on my first year as a college student. There have been many things that I have learned about life in general. Along with that, I have learned many things in relation to college. Here are 12 tips on how to survive college.
1. Study, study, study!
This is perhaps the most obvious tip. We go to college to gain knowledge and ultimately earn a degree. In order to do well in your classes, you need to study often. The more you study, the more you learn the material and figure out which study methods work for you and which ones do not. Once you establish this, preparing for your classes will seem loads easier.
2.Don't be afraid to talk to people you don't know
Believe it or not, this is how you make friends. It can be really intimidating going to college because you don't really know anyone and everyone seems older and cooler than you...well, at least in my experience. Once you start talking to the people in your classes or on your floor, this feeling diminishes. You form friendships and meet some really cool people that you wouldn't necessarily seek out in high school. This is one of the most enriching parts of college.
3. Talk to your professors
This can also be intimidating for obvious reasons, but your professors (at least most of them) genuinely want to help you. They want to see you succeed, so if you have any questions, it doesn't hurt to go to them for help. Even if you don't have questions, be sure to say hello to them when you see them on campus or wish them a good weekend at the end of class. Being friendly will automatically improve their impression of you. Making a good impression from the start could land you a letter of recommendation from them sometime down the road. Keep this in mind.
4. Coffee will become your best friend
There will be many nights where you don't get enough sleep and many mornings that come too fast. Coffee will be that little bit of a nudge that keeps you going throughout your day. I'm sure many of you are already coffee addicts. You are already prepared then. Those of you that do not like coffee, it will take some getting used to, but I guarantee that coffee will help you overcome at least one obstacle during your freshman year.
5. Exercise!
Whether it be hitting the gym, attending fitness classes or occasionally taking a walk around campus, exercise will be a huge help in college. It reduces stress, clears your mind and helps ward away that freshman 15. With everything that is going on in college, it can be easy to put exercise in the last place of priorities. If you work some time into your schedule for a quick workout just like a class, you will find that it isn't that hard to commit to, and you will find it to be actually really rewarding.
6. Go to free events on campus
There is always something going on around campus. Don't be afraid to take advantage of these events. Not only are they an opportunity to have some fun without going far, but you can also learn a lot from them. Colleges are home to many diverse people with diverse interests, and colleges seek to promote these diversities, giving you the ability to try new things and form new interests.
7. Call your parents often
This is as much for your parents as it is for you. Yes, college is pretty crazy at times, but be sure you make time for your parents. They have been making time for you for the past 18 years. I promise that they will miss you more than you know, and you will miss them more than you will admit. Being independent is fun, but contrary to popular belief, you don't know everything. Your parents want what is best for you, so make sure to ask them for advice and keep them updated as to what is going on in your life.
8. Spend time with your roommate
It is important to nurture new relationships that you form with the people you meet around campus, but your roommate is one of the most important relationships you will have. They may not necessarily be your new best friend, but holding a good relationship with them is important. Setting aside a chunk of time to spend time with them will keep this relationship strong. Whether it be having a movie night, going out to dinner or just spending some time talking with one another in the room, it is always a good idea to make some time for them.
9. Take advantage of on-campus resources
There are many resources that are designed to help you with many aspects of your college experience. You are paying for these resources with your tuition, so you might as well take advantage of them every chance you get. Some of these resources include resume building workshops, writing labs and tutors on multiple subjects. These are all here to help you, so make sure you check out all your campus has to offer you.
10. Take naps
This may seem very elementary, but nothing sounds better when you're in college than taking a nice nap. College students are skilled at finding the best napping places all around campus. Don't believe me? Ask a college student their favorite napping place. I guarantee they will be able to give you a specific answer. Anyway, naps energize you when the coffee caffeine runs out. A quick power nap in library before class can keep you going for the rest of the day, so you can complete all the homework and studying you need.
11. Keep in contact with your adviser
Your adviser is one of the most helpful tools available to you. They will help guide you on your college path and are able to answer any questions you may have. They are the ones that help you build your schedule and transmit important information to you. It is for these reasons that staying in contact with your adviser is a smart decision. Not only that but they are usually very kind people who want to see you succeed.
12. Don't be too hard on yourself
This is the most important tip I can give you. College is hard for everyone. Everyone fails and messes up. Learn from these failures and mistakes, and move on. Holding onto these negative things will only weigh you down and take away from your college experience. College is a time of learning and growing. Remember that when things seem to go wrong. It can get pretty hard sometimes, but if you seek the positives out of the negative situations, you will find yourself in a better place afterward.
Your freshman year of college will be one of the most incredible years full of change, growth and self-discovery. It isn't always fun and easy, but the good definitely outweighs the bad. Hopefully, following these 12 tips will help you through your first year of college.
