Going to college and leaving your hometown and everything in it behind is a HUGE deal. There’s so much more freedom, but also responsibility. After an exhausting first week of classes, there’s nine thoughts most college freshmen will have.
1. So. Much. Walking.
College campuses are pretty big. Some are smaller than others, but when it’s 80 plus degrees outside, your classes are on the opposite sides of campus from each other, you’re exhausted from that party you went to last night, it’s bad. Even if your next class is close by, you sweat like crazy and wonder if everyone else is dying like you are. How do these people make it look so easy?? Also, since I’m walking this much, does that mean I don’t have to go to the gym?
2. Who knew classes were actually this big?
I thought it was a myth. 400 people classes? No way. Actually, yes way. Thank God I got to class almost 25 minutes early the first day or else I may not have gotten a seat. It’s overwhelming and crammed and I hate it. Also, how am I supposed to build a relationship with the teacher when there are hundreds of other people trying to do the same thing. Luckily, professors have office hours and you can take advantage of those hours to introduce yourself and try to establish that one on one relationship, or even hang out for a few minutes after class.
3. Will my dorm without air conditioning ever cool off?
The first night I stayed in my dorm, I literally slept in the floor. Yeah, you can put the two box fans in the window facing opposite of each other and even get additional fans to put around the room, but in the middle of August, it hardly helps. It seems like it will never cool off. Having a lofted bed seems to make things even worse considering, ya know, heat rises. I’m counting down the days til it’s 20 degrees outside because then maybe my room will get below 80.
4. When am I going to start making friends?
It’s hard when it seems like everyone else around you is breezing by with all the friends in the world. Of course, most of the time you have friends from home, but college is about expanding your horizons and branching out. Leaving your door open will encourage people to drop in and say hi. Going to school sponsored events is also a great way to meet people, though sometimes you may think you’re too cool to go to “silly freshmen events,” you really should. Say hi to everyone you meet and continue to great them when you see them around campus. Look out for more events around campus and try to get involved as much as possible. Go out with your roommate. Meet their friends from home. Be nice to everyone you meet! Never limit yourself.
5. How do people party so much?
Don’t get me wrong, I love going out. It’s honestly one of the things I was most looking forward to at college. Out of the 9 days I’ve been here, I’ve went “out out” 3 nights. Other people on my hall are going out more than that, and I’m just like, “How do you do it?” The one weeknight I went out, I barely made it to my 9:30am the next day. Colleges go pretty hard with partying. Just remember, just because you’re going out, you don’t have to drink. You can have sober fun, too, and your head will thank you in the morning.
6. I can't tell if my RA is chill or not.
The RA’s are generally nice, but they have a job to do. Some may be more chill than others but regardless, they have rules they have to follow to ensure our safety. I’d say the best bet is to just be friendly and they will return your kindness. However, if you break the rules, you’re most likely going to get in trouble. So, maybe just stick to “breaking the rules” at your older friends’ off campus apartment?
7. Is it too early to start skipping class?
Yes. Yes, it is. We just got here, come on. Although the hard work hasn’t even started, it’s honestly annoying to have to go to class just for the teacher to read you the syllabus. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go. We all have to do things we don’t want to do, but if you get in the habit of skipping class now, you’ll find it easier and easier to skip class later on in the year. You don’t want to start your first semester off at college by failing out, right?
8. Is my professor actually crazy?
Sometimes you get a professor who starts off class with, “Yeah, I did a lot of LSD in the 60s and 70s and I think it’s catching up with me.” So yeah, it’s possible that they actually are crazy. But for the most part, your professors just want to help you. I was shocked to learn this, considering all I heard was that college professors are out to get you and make you fail. Pretty much all of my teachers made it clear that they would do anything they could to help me, which was a relief. Hopefully that means they aren’t crazy, but if they are any kind of crazy, hopefully maybe just a crazy cat lady?
9. I've finally made it.
Well, actually, I have four more years ‘til “I’ve made it,” but for the most part, you’re just happy to be out of high school. 13 years of schooling led to this and you couldn’t be happier to be at COLLEGE, with cute boys, freedom to do what you want, and sleeping whenever you want (unless you’re in class, of course). You’re exhausted, yet you can’t help but to smile, and think about all the opportunities that lie ahead of you and what the next four years hold.
