You only get to have a "first semester" once, so why not make it the most knowledgeable? You'll learn a lot during your four years of college, but I think that your first semester is the most impactful. I've learned a lot since I've graduated high school, but these 15 things sum up what I think are the most important lessons I've gained during my first semester of college.
1.Not Every Friendship You Make Will Last.
Everyone seems so new and exciting when you get to college, and you usually cling to the people you first meet and make connections with. These friendships keep you comfortable and happy, but as time goes on you realize there’s something missing, and you long for those actual connections, and that’s OK. I went into my first semester with a solid group of friends, friends I thought I would have until I graduated and even after that. But, sometimes those amazing friendships don’t last, and it sucks, and it hurts, but it’s apart of growing up.
2.Your Roommate Can Be Your Best Friend.
When I first started talking to my roommate, we liked ALL the same things. We loved concerts, makeup, the same type of music, even had similar clothing styles. We first met at the “104.5 Birthday Show” in 2016 and hit it off. When we got to campus we hung out most of the time, but established our own friends.
3.Your Roommate Can Be Your Enemy.
I got along with my roommate, but we just didn’t sync up anymore. We went our separate ways, had our own friends, and just did our own things. I was messy, she was messy, I slept at night, she slept during the day, I was usually out of the room, and she was usually in the room. These things caused me to feel uncomfortable sometimes, and made me feel like this wasn’t working out. People aren’t always who they say they are, people tend to look really awesome when you’re searching for a roommate on the internet, but in person they aren’t the same thing. Be wise when deciding on a roommate, it can definitely impact how your first semester goes!
4.Campus Food Gets Old Really Fast.
My first two weeks at school I ate only at commons because it was convenient. Even with it’s usually changing menu, it gets pretty boring. I eventually started going to other campus dining places, but even then, after weeks of eating at the same places you crave your mom’s home cooked meals. My dorm is stocked with Ramen, Chef Boyardee, chips and other snacks in case I really can’t eat the school food.
5.You Will Miss Home, And That’s Ok.
I’ll admit, I didn’t start to miss home until the first month and a half of school. I loved the freedom, the endless things to do, and staying up till 5am when I have class the next day. But I did miss my family, my bed, the washing machine I didn’t have to pay for, and the home cooked meals. I missed my friends, who weren’t at home, but on their own journeys at different universities than I. It’s Ok to miss home, it’s normal, some people have an easier time adjusting to college life, and some have it a bit harder. It does get easier, and you’ll be home for thanksgiving break before you know it!
6.You Will Learn To Value Each Friendship Differently.
Each friendship is different, just like how each person is different. I’ve learned that what works with one friendship, might not work for another. I have crazy friends, shy friends, the friends who need more emotional support, and the ones who just want someone to go on adventures with. Each situation is different to each person and you really learn to value and respect that.
7.Your Mental Health IS Important.
In high school it seemed that you were just going to get your education, pass the state standardized tests, and make your school look great. There seemed to be no time for you to care for your mental health, and that sucked. I know what it was like to be stressed out in high school, trying to get A’s and B’s and not really paying attention to my mental health until it was too late. In college, that all changes, you’re encouraged to look out for yourself, you have the time, the resources and the freedom to do what you need to. I’ve taken mental health days, taken advantage of counseling, and even just had the freedom to go for walks at any time of day or night. People care about you, the professors and mentors care about you, and you should care about yourself too.
8.You’ll Get Sick, And Probably Stay Sick.
I never got sick before I went off to college. I’m not sure if it’s the new environment, the people, or my body telling me to take a break. It starts out as a simple cough or sniffle, and then you think you’re going to die, then you get better and it starts all over again. I’m always sick now, I feel like it never goes away no matter how much Advil or Benadryl I take.
9.You Actually Have To Study.
I was never the one to spend all night studying for tests in high school. A’s and B’s came pretty easy to me. The whole “I don’t need to study” thing stopped real quickly when I got into college. I spend all night studying, staying up to seven a.m. just to go to an eight a.m. exam. It gets rough, and coffee becomes your best friend.
10.Studying With Friends Isn’t Studying.
We all think that getting together in a lounge with your friends for a “study session” is beneficial, but it’s not. I’ve wasted plenty of hours goofing off with my friends when we were supposed to be studying for an exam. Sometimes it’s better to just study alone, or make sure the people in your group are as serious about studying as you are. If you find yourself distracted by your friends, don’t feel bad for getting up and moving or going to your room for a quiet space, they’ll understand.
11.You Make Life Long Friends.
I have made some lifelong friends, and I'm so thankful. These friends are the ones who will be your call at 3 a.m. when you can’t find your way back to your room. These friends will be the ones to visit you over winter and summer break because they miss you so much. These friends will be the ones you room with in your last few semesters of college because it will be the time of your lives. These friends will be the ones you take with you after graduation, when you go onto bigger and better things.
12.There Is a Club, Activity, Or Community For Everyone.
When I first started college, I wasn’t sure what clubs or activities I wanted to join. I was overwhelmed, and not sure if anything really fit me. I knew I wanted to be an OWL, and join a club that deals with my major, but there were so many. I think I signed up for 10 clubs and then narrowed it down to about 4 that I participate in. There’s one out there for you, it just takes time to find your favorite!
13.You Can Start Fresh!
Nobody knows you, nobody cares who you are. College is a place to leave anything you want behind.I’ve always carried my past with me to new places and it always sucked, but college, college is where I started new. I didn’t have to share my past with anyone that I didn’t want to; I didn’t have to share it at all. If you were known as the shy kid in high school, this is your chance to be the adventurous one if you choose to be.
14.Being An Adult Is Kinda Hard.
I was always independent, I’m not saying I didn’t ask for help, or look to my parents for advice, I was just always doing things my way and on my own. I didn’t realize that moving to a new room alone would be so hard. Or doing course selections without any guidance from my parents or peers would be so scary. Having to spend my money on necessities and not stuff that I wanted. It was a new change, but one to be accepted in time.
15.The Boy/Girl You Like In College Won’t Be The Only One.
I’ve seen plenty of people fall for someone during their first semester, and it all seems great. Something happens along the way and you’re left heartbroken and sad. You must remember that its college, there are literally THOUSANDS of boys or girls waiting to be talked to. Don’t let one wrong, make you miss the right one. I’ll admit that I had a major crush on a boy my first semester, and we ended up just being friends. Yes it hurt, yes I cried, and yes I thought it was the end for me. But, I remembered that I have four years to find someone, and even after that. You have your whole life ahead of you to find someone. Don’t let your first semester crush bring you down.
