It's that time of year again, almost-adults and their parents flood college campuses for move in day. Cars are unpacked, bathrooms are abused, hugs and kisses are given, and suddenly there you are: alone. For the very first time, no parents or siblings holding you accountable for anything. You might be feeling a mix of emotions; liberated, nervous, excited, even scared. Just know this: YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
As a college student who is a mere breath away from stepping out into the world, I have gone through what you are facing now. There are TONS of people who have been there. You will make mistakes, you will feel like the world is ending sometimes. I'm here to tell you it's not, you're going to be just fine. BUT if you still feel like you need a helping hand, here are a few pointers to starting out your life as a college student.
1. Get Involved
Move in day can be scary because you know very few people. The best thing to do is to introduce yourself to anyone and everyone! The more people you talk to the more comfortable you'll be.
Clubs, sports, organizations, and social events abound! Even if you go to school in the middle of nowhere, there is ALWAYS something to do. Check out the sports teams that accept walk-ons, or if competition isn't your thing, join a club team like ultimate frisbee. Daily exercise+fun helps to reduce stress from the workload that college can put on a student. Maybe you're more of an organizer. Join a club specific to your major or one that just interests you, and start getting involved on campus through them. This will help you network and meet students and staff members that can be valuable friends and connections to you later on. Pay attention to the posters around your residence hall, and go to the events that they advertise. They can be pretty fun if you give them a shot!
2. Go to Class
Let me say it a little louder for the people in the back: GO TO CLASS!
I cannot stress this enough, and your professors will probably tell you the same thing. You cannot succeed academically in college if you don't go to class. Sure, it's your choice whether you want to go or not, but when you're making that choice just remember the day your tuition bill came in the mail. Remember the amount of money you took out in a loan to pay for this and remember that someday, you'll have to pay all of the back and then some. Ask yourself, do you really want to pay for something that you didn't get the most out of? At the end of the day, you are here for one thing: an education. Make sure you get one.
3. Ask for Help
This was a difficult concept for me to grasp. Being an athlete, I've learned to be stubborn as a mule, and I refused to ask for or even take help from anyone for a while. Despite your new found independence, you will still need help doing some things. This is a given, and the sooner you accept that you can't do everything yourself the easier time you will have of finding someone who can help you.
Your school has numerous resources for students struggling with anything ranging from classwork to stress, to social life, and to life advice in general. These are tools for you, use them as often as you need to. Tying into number 2 up there, your professors will be more inclined to help you if they see that you make an effort to show up to class. If you don't bother to be there they won't waste their time helping you, and they are your best resource.
4. Learn how to Manage your Time
College is an entirely different beast than high school, and you may find that you have more free time than you're used to. It's a trap. That so-called "free time" is not to be taken for granted. One of the hardest but most valuable things to learn is how to use it wisely.
Draw up a diagram of your week, days on the top, hours running down the sides. Start with your class schedule. Block out the times when you are in class, and it helps to write in which class as well. Next, write in commitments like sports practices or club meetings or work. The next part is the worst. Find a chunk of about two hours every other day and block that off for homework. It's hard to take time out of your day when you could be hanging out with friends or playing video games to sit down and do even more work, but it is necessary. When everyone else is up all night trying to finish that 12-page paper for the next day, you'll thank me.
In the long run, managing your time will be a huge relief. Learning how to do this early takes a massive amount of stress and pressure off of your shoulders, which will lead to better mental health along the way.
5. Enjoy it!
College is a great time to meet new people, learn new things, and make memories. Sure, there will be rainy days, but it is vital to keep your head up and get through it. Finding the good in a tough situation can make it just a little bit better. I won't tell you that college will be the best years of your life because I don't know that. What I will tell you is this: in a few years, you'll have to pay bills, and managing your money is even more difficult than managing your time. Enjoy those sketchy dining hall meals that someone else cooks, savor the spotty hot water and wifi in your dorm. Take nothing for granted and above all, have fun. It might not be the best years ever, but you're living them. Make the most of it.
