As an incoming college freshman, you've most likely been reading articles about tips for freshman year, right? Well, look no further! Here are 14 tips for incoming college freshmen, from an incoming college junior.
1. Get a backpack.
I know it sounds trivial, but a backpack is much better. Your shoulders and back will thank you.
2. Quiet, sober nights in or out with friends can be just as much fun as the not so sober nights.
Don't go out and drink every single weekend (especially since most, if not all of you are underage). Spend some weekends having movie nights, going out to eat, going bowling, making cupcakes, playing card games or something. Just spend some weekends sober. You'll appreciate it.
3. That being said, it is okay to go to parties and drink.
Just be safe, smart, and know your limits. Don't drink and drive. If you're known to text people you don't want to text while drunk, hand a sober friend your phone for the night. Like I said, just be safe, smart and know your limits. Nobody wants to be known as the girl who drank too much & made a fool of herself her first weekend at college.
4. Make friends outside of your major.
Don't feel like you need to be best friends with everyone you meet, but also don't be afraid to go out of your comfort zone and make friends at events on campus, in your classes, your major, fraternities, sororities, friends who have different interests, etc.
5. Find out when your professors have office hours and USE THEM.
I rarely use them, and I honestly wish I had. Professors will get to know you better that way and will see that you are trying and might even boost your grade up simply for coming to office hours on your own time. Office hours are mandated by schools, but it's honestly there to help students out.
6. Know that your professors do want you to succeed in their course.
It might not always seem like it, but they do. They want you to succeed and if they put in the effort, they want you to put in the effort as well. If you don't, you only really hurt yourself in the end.
7. It's ok to go to the dining hall alone sometimes.
Last semester I used Friday late mornings to do my young adult literature homework. I would go to the dining hall (it was mostly empty at that time) and I would take the book I had to read that week, a bunch of post-its, my laptop and earbuds, got some food and hang out in the dining hall for a couple hours while I read the book and did the assignment. Even if you don’t have work to do but all your friends are in class or busy, don’t be afraid to walk over by yourself. You might end up bumping into someone you’ve been meaning to text and end up catching up with them. Or, you could bring that new book you’ve been dying to read and settle in for a few hours.
8. You don't have to be best friends with your roommate.
It's great if you guys get along, but you don’t necessarily have to hang out together outside of the dorm if you don’t want to. However, it can be nice to have an automatic person to go to events with or to grab food with the first few weeks. Just try to get along with each other and have a plan on what to do when you don’t agree on something for the room. if you do end up becoming best friends, that's even better.
9. Get involved.
Join a club or an intramural sport. You might see a club that catches your eye, something you’ve always been interested in but have never been able to try. Go for it. I am now a junior and since freshman year I’ve been in two plays, been extremely involved with Colleges Against Cancer and actually was one of two chairs for the 2015 Relay for Life of Pace University, am on the executive board for Future Educators Association, am involved with residence life and Residence Hall Association, am part of Pace’s ASPIRE club, and have helped out with the Pace 4 Kids Dance Marathon since freshman year.
10. Call home.
I can’t stress this one enough. Since college started, I’ve gotten a lot closer with both my parents and my younger brother. I text my mom all the time and I try to call my mom and dad at least once or twice a week. I call my brother practically every other day while I’m at school. They will appreciate you calling without having to remind you and you will actually enjoy it too. If you have a hard time remembering to call home, set a reminder or alarm on your phone once a week at a time best for you and your family.
11. Don't be afraid to ask for help.
From friends, family, professors, faculty, anyone. They’re there to help you and support you.
12. Have an open mind.
Don’t automatically reject something because it’s ‘not cool’ or you think you’ll be made fun of or you’re scared. Don’t be afraid to try new things. Explore your interests and hobbies. Don’t be afraid to make new friends and go on adventures.
13. Create and find a healthy balance between work and play.
Don’t spend every weekend partying, but don’t spend every weekend holed up in the library (Except maybe finals week lol). Find a good balance that works for you between studying and having fun.
14. Lastly, live in the moment and have fun.
Undergrad is only four years. It goes by super fast, and before you know it you’ll be walking across the stage in a cap and gown. Make friends, make memories, and have a good time. Do well in your classes and get to know people. Do something out of your comfort zone every once in a while, and live in the moment. Go on impromptu adventures to playgrounds and Applebee's in the middle of the night. Be yourself and don’t be afraid to do something new every once In a while. College is what you make of it. Make it the best four years of your life and cherish it. Before you know it, it’ll be over. Don’t look back wishing you’d done it differently.
