Beginning college an hour and a half away from home attending a small university and then transferring back home to the flagship university of my state, there have been many changes in the last four years of my life. Gearing up to start my last semester of college I reflect back on the many changes that have come my way and am happy for the leaps I have made in this what seemed like forever but really I have just blinked my eyes time. College has been hard, some of the hardest years of my life thus far, but seeing where I have excelled in many areas I view these past four years as some of the best times of my life. For the most part, the things I have I have done have been done them with no regrets. But just like anything in life, there are some things I wish I could go back and change, or even just tweak a tiny bit. With that being said here is a list of 15 things I would tell my incoming freshman self if I had the chance.
1. Do not pack your whole house. Dorms are small, especially with two roommates.
2. Triple check where your designated parking area is. Parking tickets on your first day of school are no fun at all!
3. Utilize the campus cafeteria, but realize there are many other options to choose from.
4. EXPLORE! Campuses both big and small are interesting in their own unique way. Go check them out!
5. Take your student I.D. card everywhere you go. There are literally TONS of places that give student discounts, make use of them!
6. Get to know the town you are in. Whether you are 15 minutes or five hours, get to know the surroundings of your campus.
7. Make nice with your R.A.
8. DON'T go home every chance you get. You have family, a boyfriend or girlfriend, pets, friends and everything else you know at home, but stay at campus some weekends. You'll thank yourself later.
9. Use a planner, religiously. I wish I would have done this my freshman year instead of junior!
10. Take a water bottle everywhere you go.
11. Don't wear yoga pants to a job fair. Even if you are just going to get a piece of paper signed proving that you were there for your freshman studies class, dress nicely. (This one still haunts me!)
12. Attend campus events. The constant emails are annoying sometimes, but just go! You will be more connected with your environment if you do.
13. Call your parents and check in. They are just as bumfuzzled about the big changes in your life as you are. Text messages are nice, but even if it is just a five minute conversation call them.
14. Keep going to class. Save your skips for later in the semester. Yes, lectures are dull and some days you just can't even. Keep going to class. Majority of professors really do take note of who is coming, and periodically may give extra credit just for coming to class!
15. Have fun. These are some of the best times of your life. Find a healthy work-play ratio and make good (safe) use of your play!
So if you're an incoming freshmen, take my advice and you'll be just fine!
