Moving into my dorm one year ago was the most overwhelming experience of my life. I had never seen the campus before, did not know anyone, and felt like I would be swallowed in a second by the huge campus that laid in front of me.
Freshman year was a whirlwind of emotions. My entire life, talk of college seemed so far away. It was what all of the big kids who came back to campus talked about when they came to visit our high school drama class. I knew I would get to college eventually, but by then I would have to be so much older, wiser, and all grown up!
Entering college at 19, I could not have felt younger and more lost. Here is some advice I whipped up from my freshman year experiences to help you feel comfortable on your new campus this year.
1. Get involved.
Getting involved on a new campus makes a big campus seem that much smaller. It gives you a familiar face to see everyday, especially when you’re lost on your way to your first lecture hall (It’s okay, we’ve all been there).
2. You are not alone.
At one point in the life of every college student, they too were a freshman. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Reach out to to your roommate for advice. Take advantage of the counseling center, offering assistance to make sure your mental health is in order. Take time to check in with yourself.
If a class is too hard, drop it and pick it up the next semester. If someone isn’t treating you right, confront them. Stand up for yourself and don’t let anyone’s opinion of you get you down. Everyone struggles in college, but you too will get through it. And there is no better feeling than turning in your final exam on the last week of freshman year and thinking to yourself, “I survived.”
3. Don’t compare your experience to what you see on social media.
Social media has a false way of portraying how people are actually feeling. That selfie you see smiling at a party is just another party that happens every night and a selfie that someone whipped out and said “smile!” for a hot snapchat. It does not mean that they were actually having fun! Sure, it could have been a great party, but there is always tomorrow night.
4. Try to avoid FOMO.
Ahhh, fomo. Fear of missing out. I was the biggest victim of this last year.
**Have an essay due Friday for your English class? Ahh, but greek letter greek is throwing their “biggest party of the year” Thursday night!!! How can you possibly miss it? All of your friends will be there, even your crush from English class (Hey at least you’ll fail together, right!?). And if you don’t go, then this entire year was basically an entire waste because it is all anyone will ever be talking about and everyone will become BFFs and you will be the social outcast who stayed in to write a paper.**
Unfortunately, these were my thoughts one too many times last year. But you know what? It is all in your head. There is always another party. That’s the great thing about college, you can go out whenever you want - no parents, no rules, no teachers that will call up Mommy and Daddy if you skip class - but the exact same thing happens every night. There will be another party on Friday, trust me.
5. You came to college to study.
Crazy concept right? Well, it’s true. The bazillion amount of money your parents are paying for you to be here, or all of the student loans you’re taking out to afford this school, or whatever your financial situation may be - it is going towards your COURSES. So sign up for ones that interest you!
The best thing about school is nobody actually knows what they’re doing, we’re all just broke kids struggling to get by everyday! Take a class that challenges you, something that has interested you your entire life and you may now want to pursue a career out of it.
You may discover that after all these years, your dream of being a doctor is fading away and you want to try something new. Guess what? That does not make you a failure or “too stupid to be a doctor!” It means you’re taking another path, and growing more as a person as you figure out who you are.
6. Whether or not you choose to do Greek life, it’s OK.
Let me tell you, rushing is like nothing you will ever expect. Two weekends of flirting to see if you like the house or if they like you...it’s exhausting.
Some love it, other’s don’t. My sister met awesome girls in her house freshman year and is living in the house this year. For me, I left my sorority second semester of my freshman year and decided to get an apartment for my sophomore year with my best friend. If you wear the letters, wear them with pride, but don’t let them define who you are. You should find that yourself.
Some final thoughts...
No matter what happens to you this year, make the most of it. Find what makes you happy and hold on to it. Make time for yourself, and do things you actually want to do, not just because everyone else is doing it. College is scary, but take it one day at a time. Don’t try to impress anyone but yourself.
And with that, good luck this year! The rest of your life story is starting right now, and you’re the one who’s writing the book.
