Going into my freshman year of college I had no idea what to expect. I didn't know who my friends were going to be, what my classes were going to be like, or if it was going to be a hard adjustment or an easy one. Now that I am officially finished with my freshman year, (which is so crazy) there are a few things I've learned that weren't taught to me in a classroom. Overall, I am so thankful to my freshman year for teaching me not only academics but also valuble things about myself.
1. Start studying right away
It's going to be hard, but instead of watching episodes of Gossip Girl all night, just start studying right away. You will thank yourself later and your brain will thank you for not frying it all at once during finals week. Most of the time, professors don't give homework. They give exams. Which means test scores and attendance (if they even take attendance) are a huge chunk of your grade, if not the only points going toward your grade.
2. Take advantage of office hours
Office hours are made for you. They are there so that you don't have to sit in your dorm with questions running through your head since you're too afraid to raise your hand in a 100+ people lecture class and ask for clarification. Office hours are meant for you to go to and take advantage of in the best way possible. At the end of the day, if you are confused about something or concerned about your grade, you're only hurting yourself if you don't go see your professor. I promise they (most of them) don't bite.
3. Go out on the weekends
Get some friends, get ready and enjoy your self/each other. DO NOT sit in your room alone on a Friday night eating popcorn and watching Netflix every single Friday night. I did this until I realized that I AM IN COLLEGE!!! Go out and make memories.
4. Or stay in
Alright so I totally understand if going out isn't your thing, but still please whatever you do, do not sit in by yourself. Get a group together and have a movie night or a craft night. This way you're still making memories but you're comfortable.
5. Don't forget to sleep
Naps just aren't something you did in daycare in anymore, they're something you do every day probably three times a day. Sleep is so important and you should definitely get as much as you can. Chances are you're staying up late every night laughing with your roommate or studying. Your body can't afford to run on 5-6 hours of sleep all the time. Nap.
6. Learn to love coffee
This isn't a problem for me, I've been sipping on Starbucks since 8th grade, but if you not like me and you're not a coffee lover, become one. Then you should probably get yourself a Keurig and expect to be broke very soon because you'll start drinking three cups a day and lets be honest, K-cups are expensive.
7. Don't push your parents away
Just because you're a college kid now doesn't mean you're parents don't exist anymore. Answer their texts and call home every now and then. After all they are probably paying for your tuition and you owe it to them to update you on your life.
8. Buy a lot of t-shirts and workout shorts
You are not going to want to get up and get ready like you did in high school. In college, everyone looks like crap 24/7 (until the weekend) and you should probably just accept it now.
9. It's okay to eat the cupcake
Don't go crazy and never eat because you're scared of gaining weight in college. If your dinging hall has delicious looking cupcakes for dessert one night? EAT THE CUPCAKE. I promise you that the cupcake isn't going to make you gain 15 pounds.
10. Don't schedule an 8am, 9am or 10am
If you think you'll be able to get out of bed for an 8am you're only kidding yourself. I can't even get out of bed for my 10am. Do yourself a favor and just stick to classes that are after 11am. You will pay attention better because you'll have gotten a full night's sleep the night before and you be happy because you get to sleep in. It's a win win.
11. It's okay to go home
I feel like it's looked down upon to go to college and come home a lot. I disagree with this. If you go to school close enough for you to be able to go home every now and then, do it! I always thought that once you're in college you're not really supposed to look back but it's okay if you do. Home is where the real food is, good showers are and most importantly where your bed is. If you want to go home for a weekend, don't let anyone stop you.
12. It's possible to have a boyfriend in college
Everyone will tell you "Oh you should be single in college, you'll have more fun" my response to that is how?? My boyfriend goes to a college 830 miles away and we are doing just fine. Don't break up with your boyfriend/girlfriend just because you're going into college. You might think the distance isn't doable but it is.
13. It's okay to have an undecided major
If you don't know what you "want to be when you grow up" It's fine!! Some will say you shouldn't go to college yet if you're unsure of what you want to do, that you should take a break year. You don't have to do this. I was undecided going into freshman year and if anything, being in classes and being around other people who are like me and even being around people who are unlike me have taught me things like what I like and what I don't. It's 100% fine to explore majors your freshman year. Don't settle and don't give up.
14. You will walk away a different person
College changes people. There's a thousand different ways that you could walk away each year. Each year one step closer to being who you want to be. Don't be anything less than your best and don't lose sight of the person you want to be.
15. Go into next year better than you were last
You'll hear frequently that freshman year is all about figuring it out. You're just getting the hang of being organized, studying and managing stress. Don't let go of what you learned! Fix what you did wrong freshman year, and do better sophomore year. It's okay if your first year wasn't your best year. Be a better version of yourself next year and you can't go wrong.
Thank you, freshman year, for teaching me these things. I can't wait to see what next year has in store for me.
