Freshman year can seem very daunting and intimidating so here is some friendly advice from someone who knows the ropes.

Coming to college for the first time can be a daunting endeavor. Not knowing what to expect when we leave everything we have ever known behind makes us fall for any tip or piece of advice someone is willing to offer. Considering this I decided to debunk a short list of common myths that I am sure we have all been told before.

Myth #1: The Freshman 15.                    

When it comes to teenagers what is more terrifying than weight gain? For those of us who were athletes in High School, we are continually told that as soon as we leave our home towns and get off of our regimented work-out schedule we will somehow become one more statistic in America’s obesity epidemic. We head off to college with these comments swimming in our heads it almost – almost, makes the unlimited Chik-Fil-A and hot chocolate cobbler with ice cream taste bad. I have found my personal experience to be quite to the contrary. While it is true that we normally get less exercise in college, there is no excuse to gain the mythical Freshman 15 when you walk around a campus the size of ours and have a world-class health and fitness center like the Huff.                     

Myth #2: Roommate Misconceptions.              

I am sure everyone has a horror story about at least one of their roommates. As someone who had to change roommates two times my freshman year, I could definitely recount a few. From odd sleeping hours, to not even speaking the same language as your foreign roommate, everyone will have at least something they can find wrong with their roomie. This is why I say to you underclassmen: do not try to be best friends with your roommate or room with your best friend. I have seen many friendships come undone under the stress and close quarters of dormitory living. Even the best of friends need breaks. The phrase “I know where you live” takes on an entirely new meaning when you sleep in the same room as someone you have just had a fight with. In my opinion, the best kind of roommates, are those whose friendship stays in the dorm. Nice conversation, studying, and even a few meals together never hurt anyone, but take it from me – you want to keep your space!              

Myth #3: The “Difficulty of College” Myth.                

College is not a cakewalk, but it also is not the concentration camp certain high school teachers and older confidants would have you believe. We had been warned and reprimanded our entire lives that “this won’t fly in college” “if you’re late in college they will lock you out” “if you fail an assignment in college, you fail the class.” While these may be true for certain professors, a vast majority genuinely care, might be later than you to class, and give plenty of grades to keep you from failing the entire course over one assignment.  This is not to say that you can blow off your assignments, be late, or miss class. Be sure to read all of your syllabi very carefully. KNOW THE ATTENDANCE POLICY. Missing one extra day may make the difference between passing and failing a class. Do your assignments and most importantly study! In high school, many of us never really had to study to make good grades. In college this is not the case. Trust me.                   

If you take my advice, never take Lindsey, and NEVER wear cargo anything, you should have a great freshman year with plenty of free time to enjoy yourself! Welcome to the family. BOOMER.