15 Tips For Having A Great Year At College
Start writing a post
Student Life

15 Tips For Having A Great Year At College

What I wish I knew when I was a freshman

143
15 Tips For Having A Great Year At College
college candy

As the school year is rolling back around, a whole new set of fresh faces will soon present themselves on our beloved college campuses. These poor college freshman probably have no idea what they're about to get into. As much as I loved my freshman year of college, I wish someone would have given me tips and tricks for how to really enjoy my first year of college with little to no mistakes. So here is the list of things I wish someone would have told me before I started school.

1. Sleep is your friend, so spend time together.


It's very tempting to stay up late every night and just skip class or sleep through class. Do not fall into this trap! It turns out you need sleep to be successful, which leads me to my next point.

2. Don't skip class.


I can understand if every
once in awhile you skip class, but after a while you won't do well in a class if you never show up.

3. Don't sleep through class no matter how boring the professor is.

Been here, dealt with this. Even if art appreciation is the most boring class you've ever had in your life, resist the temptation to sleep through it. It's very hard to retain information when you're sleeping through it.

4. Attempt to go to the gym.

I get that everyone isn't a gym junkie, but going to the gym a couple times a week will make you feel better and focus better. Also, it can keep off the freshman 15.

5. Unless you're an absolute morning person, do not take 8 a.m. classes your first semester.

You will regret it, you just will. First semester is when you are most likely to stay up later and procrastinate more. If you have a class at 8 a.m. a couple of mornings a week, you will regret it.

6. Don't be stupid.

I realize this doesn't make much sense, but just don't be stupid. Use your brain and think through your decisions. Don't act too impulsively.

7. Aim for As.

Yes, Cs get degrees, but they don't keep their scholarships or gain new ones. Besides the more A's you make the more confident you'll feel in yourself and your abilities.

8. Be careful about who you choose as friends.


Really get to know someone before you put stock in that relationship. You don't want your best friend first semester to be the person that stabs you in the back second semester.

9. Alcohol can be fun if you're safe.

Don't be the person that drinks and drives and don't be the person that gets sloppy every time they go out. No one will have any respect for you, and quite frankly won't want to go out with you.

10. Rate my Professor is wonderful.


It's a website that you can go and look up virtually every professor and see what other students had to say. However, take all reviews with a grain of salt. Don't forget to go back and write your own review once you've had the professor.

11. It's about quality, not quantity.

Whether this is friends, naps or what you chose to eat, be sure that you're making quality decisions.

12. Don't let Netflix run your life.

This comes from a true Netflix lover: be careful. It's really easy to get deep into a show and not do your homework and study when you should.

13. Do your work!


This may be online assignments or chapters to read or studying for a test, but make sure you do it. You can't get through college without putting any effort in.

14. Don't be procrastination nation.


No one wants to do the tough stuff in college, so just do it and get it over with. Better you do it sooner than later. The longer you wait the worse it gets.

15. Don't forget to have fun.


I know this seems silly, but it's really easy to do. Don't get so stressed out about a class or grades that you forget to enjoy the experience of college. It can be the best years of your life if you let it.

College is a new adventure for everyone. Take the time and the effort to make it the best year you can. Good luck!

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

50030
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

31921
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

955380
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

180539
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments