As the summer begins to wind down and the start of the semester grows closer, I can’t help but look back to my first year of college. It was definitely a different experience form high school and it took me a while to adjust to just how different it was. My younger brother is going to start college this year, and I now have the opportunity to share all the things I have learned. College is a whirlwind of experiences but there is something about it that you can’t help but love. These are all the things I wish someone had told me before I started my freshman year:
1. Get Involved
Four years seems like a long time but I promise you it flies by faster than you would think. Don’t just go to class and then go home. Do something, join a club, or two, or three. Meet new people and find yourself. Adventures are out there just waiting for you to take them, don’t miss out on anything before you give yourself the chance to try it!
2. You don’t have to know what you want to do with your life…yet
If I am being honest, as an up and coming Junior in College I still have no idea what I am doing with my life. I have changed majors several times until finally landing on something I knew I could make work. The biggest mistake I made my first year was to pick a major for the money. As the Beatles so eloquently put it: Money can’t buy you love, but following your passion will ensure that you love your job in the future, and in turn love your life.
3. Make friends
College isn't like high school. You don’t have classes with the save few kids throughout the time you are there. Talk to people, ones who are similar to you and ones who are different. It will open your eyes to the diversity and beauty in the world.
4. Don’t take an early morning class
Taking an early morning class will be the worst decision you can possibly make, unless you are an early bird of course. The issue with early morning classes is that you aren't fully awake by the time you get there. Even though you started classes in high school early it does not mean that you can do the same thing in college. You will dread having to wake up for that class after staying up late to study or finish a paper. Trust me on this one, having your first class a little later in the morning isn't necessarily a bad thing.
5. The later your class is, the more chill the professor
Professors in college are a lot different that teachers in high school. For starters they don’t have the same restrictions as teachers. Any subject can be discussed in class, any type of language can be used, and any level of formality can be expected. The early your class, the more formal the professor. They get up bright and early, are awake and alert. Ready to start the day. By mid to late afternoon these professors start to get tired, and are show more slack to the students in later classes. As a result class tends to be canceled more often (which is generally a good thing for us students), there are less assignments, and the discussions are more interesting and random.
6. Don’t take life to seriously, But take it seriously enough
College is not as hard as everyone makes it out to be. If anything it’s more fun. Your classes are generally laid back, and pajamas are an acceptable dress code. Get involved in discussions, get on peoples nerves if it’s a sensitive topic. Find your voice, but at the same time don’t slack off on assignments. And by God you better do the readings if you can, because it helps on test day. Find a good balance that works for you, just be sure not to limit yourself to only one side of the spectrum.
7. Try new things but don’t forget where you come from
College is nothing but new experiences. From moving out, to meeting new people, and to just going out and having fun. Don’t hold yourself back, do that study abroad, take that ice skating class, try something new every once and a while in the dining hall. With all these new experiences coming your way don’t forget to hold onto your roots. Call mom and dad every now and then because I promise they miss you. Stay in touch with old friends, and keep doing the things you love to do. College isn’t about becoming a new person, but more like adding onto the person you already are, and becoming the person you were always meant to be.
8. Have fun
Although college is supposed to be an educational experience it is also a stage of life where you come into yourself. The best advice anyone will ever give you about college is to just go and have fun. Do things you love, meet new people, try new things, and just have an unimaginable amount of fun, because these are going to be some of the best years of your life. Don’t let them fly by without enjoying them first.
Good luck to every one starting College this year!
