College is an exciting, terrifying, liberating time of life. Freshman year is one of many formative years of growth and development.
At first it may seem overwhelming, but freshman year can actually be one of the best.
That is, if you enjoy the ride and follow these 5 tips:
1. Go to class!
.... at least, at first.
Maybe half-way through the semester you will have mastered which classes you can miss without any repercussions and still do well on the tests.
However, I'd suggest erring on the side of caution and just go to that boring lecture.
Sure, some professors post slides, but it is much more beneficial to have the slides' contents explained. In class, professors also make announcements about things like extra-credit and upcoming assignments.
Mentally, just act like class attendance is not optional. After all, it is why we are here. Imagine that!
2. Watch what you eat!
It can be incredibly tempting to use your new-found freedom to eat whatever you want whenever you want.
I'll admit that I was a regular at Dunkin' Donuts my freshman fall. Now, I cringe when I think about the obscene amounts of sugar and calories that I drank 'on the daily.'
Motivating yourself to cook after a long day of classes is admittedly hard. And "hanging out" in college often means grabbing a bite to eat.
Please just keep an eye on what you are putting into your body. Even small healthy substitutes or leaving minor sugars out (for example, soda) can go a long way.
3. Learn to say 'no'
Okay, I'm not just talking about instances of extreme peer pressure (although that too).
Before finding your niche on campus, it can be tempting to join every club; make as many plans with your new friends as possible; try for every internship, and more. Trust me, it is a mistake to spread yourself too thin.
If there is an opportunity that interests you, by all means you owe it to yourself to go for it! However, learning to say "no" to plans that you honestly aren't interested in, or do not have time for is a valuable life skill.
4. Try new things.
Chances are, there are hundreds (if not thousands) of clubs at your new university.
Maybe you have always wanted to paint but never thought you were good enough.
Maybe outdoor camping is your dream but you could never find people to go with.
Well, college absolutely provides you with opportunities to meet people of similar interests. These prospective pals will be down to try these new things with you.
Oftentimes, colleges have lists of all the available clubs online. That being said, if a club does not already exist, you may be able to create it.
Commit to showing up for one meeting and then decide if it is not for you. Hey, what's the harm in trying?
5. If something your roommate does bothers you, say something!
Let's get real. It is unfair, and unsurprisingly ineffective, to expect your roommate to read your mind.
Holding in what bothers you now will only lead to bigger issues in the future.
A successful roommate-ship is all about communication.
Pettiness or passive-aggressiveness is not the answer either. You can and should be clear about what bothers you and what your expectations are without being confrontational, blaming, or childish.
If the situation happens to be more complex than a simple conversation, well then, that is what RAs are for!
So that's some tips for first-year students.
You just got a sixth tip, for free! Listen closely, you are not a freshmen, but rather a 'first-year'! You will thank me later.
Deep breathe and dive in!
