Looking back to freshman year of college, it is hard to figure out how I ended up where I am now, during junior year. Not being used to all of the freedom that I suddenly had, I found myself lost and was not sure how to handle it, I went overboard, my grades suffered, and my unfamiliar actions showed how lost I actually was. There are quite a few things I wish I could have told my freshman self before entering college.
1. Academics come first, always
I was notorious for partying, putting social activities before my academics, and overall not making very smart choices. My grades after first semester reflected this. I could count the times on one hand during that first year that I put school before having fun, thats how scarcely it occurred. Two years later I am still trying to reach a 3.0 GPA because of my wild actions freshman year.
2. Don't worry about making friends
Coming into school, I was a bit scared about making friends. Sure, I am social, but it takes me a bit to warm up to people and really open up. What I didn't know was that I would find some of the best friends I could have ever been given, even better than I imagined. They are constantly there to laugh with me, cry with me, and entertain me when I am bored. Because of college, I have found my maid of honor, my bridesmaids, my best friends, and most importantly my family away from home.
3. Any boy you're stressing over probably isn't worth it
If I could have taken even the smallest amount of energy that I used to stress over boys and put it towards school work, my grades easily would have improved by at least a letter grade. Instead of stressing, study harder for the test you have next week, go to the gym, cook, or clean, just do something productive instead.
4. Go to the gym
The freshman 15 is a real thing. I found this hard to believe going into college because I have a high metabolism but that did not make me an exception. Maybe I did not gain 15 pounds but I gained at least 10.
5. Don't eat at your favorite food place everyday
You will thank me when you can still stand it two years later instead of despise it because you ate it five times a week freshman year.
6. Stop making excuses
Yes, the exam you took today was hard. Could you have been more prepared for it? Most definitely. Stop making excuses as to why your grades are what they are, or why you gained weight, or even why your room is dirty. Own up to your actions, that is the only way they can be fixed. You are responsible for all of what goes on in your life, nobody else.
7. It is okay to be homesick
I promise you are not the only one. Call your mom and try to talk to her for a few minutes, it helps trust me.
8. Have fun, but know your limits
This was what I struggled with the most. There's a thing as too much fun even if you don't believe it now. Know when it is time to quit and call it a night. Pace yourself, you will enjoy the night much more if you can remember it in the morning.
