Freshmen year went from being a few years away to only a few days away! People say that "college is going to be the best years of your life", however, it's very normal to get those "back to school nerves" especially if this is your first semester on campus! Don't worry, everyone has been in the same boat at one point or another- including me right now as I pack for my first semester in a college dorm room- but these are 15 thoughts you only have (going into) freshmen year of college.
1. “I am going to get a high GPA and get an ‘A’ in all of my classes."
While getting above a 4.0 GPA in high school seemed realistic, there’s no such thing as a ‘4.5 GPA’ in college. Classes are a lot more of a transition in college, and they actually require a consistent work ethic.
2. “I’ll be fine with an 8 am lecture; high school started at 7:30, anyway.”
You’ll soon learn that waking up for a high school class and waking up for a college class are two completely different things.. And no, AP classes do not prepare you.
3. "Dude, I have so much stuff to bring for move-in day"
Yeah, but just wait until you get an apartment ;)
4. “I’m going to get up early every day and get ready for class.”
In college, any day you decide to put on pants is considered a good day.
5. “I’m going to join this club, and that organization, and those committees, AND AND AND…”
Time management is the key to success in college. Definitely, get involved, but do not cram your schedule too much. Have a healthy and balanced schedule that you can handle.
6. “I have no idea where that is…”
So, living in a new place means getting lost frequently. It’s unavoidable, even with Google and Apple Maps. Know that it is completely alright to ask for directions, on campus or off. People understand that you’re new, or not new and just clueless. Everybody else around you is clueless too. If you get lost, just ask around for directions; you’ll slowly find your way through campus.
7. Wearing your lanyard and ID around your neck
That’s just a freshman advertisement.
8. “Why do textbooks cost so much money?”
9. *Purchases every textbook needed for classes before school starts*.
10. “If I have to introduce myself one more time as Name, Hometown/State, Major, I’m going to scream.”
As if you haven’t already done that 500 times.
11. “I already want to switch majors.”
And if you do, that’s okay! The average college student will change their major about four times :)
12. “Crap, how do you do laundry?”
13. “I’m going to study every night.”
As ideal as this sounds, unfortunately, you become side tracked. 14. “I can do whatever I want.”
Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.
15. “I am simultaneously nervous, excited, and anxious.”
And that’s okay, because everyone experiences that, but you will find your niche.
You will find your niche, and these next four years are truly going to fly. College is an opportunity to build and find yourself as an individual, and you will make so many memories in the process. Cherish this time while you can and make the most out of it.
