Dear Freshmen,
First off, welcome to college. Things are about to change for you, and it’s going to be awesome but probably scary at first. I wish someone had given me advice on how to survive freshman year right off the bat, so here’s some I have for you:
- Go to the orientation/welcome week events. You are not “too cool” for fun activities and meeting new people. Plus, you might get free stuff, and that’s always a good thing.
- Make friends with your floormates, because you’ll probably be seeing them a lot.
- Address problems with your roommate(s) head on. Don’t keep them bottled up, otherwise you/them might explode one day and cause a bigger problem that could’ve been prevented.
- Figure out the transportation offered on campus. It’ll help you when you’re running late for that 8 a.m. because chances are you'll hit snooze a few too many times.
- Midnight is usually the best time for laundry. There’s a good chance multiple machines will be open, so you can get multiple loads done at once.
- GET INVOLVED! That is capitalized and bolded because it’s just that important. Whether it’s Greek life, sports, or student clubs, getting involved is great for not only college, but also it’ll help you in the future. Explore your different options, especially during freshman year, and you’ll find your niche.
- Hunt down the free food and take advantage of it. You’ll quickly learn that free food gives you a lot of joy.
- Find your happy place, whether it’s on or off campus. When stress starts coming your way, having that place where you feel at peace is going to help you on those rough days.
- Stay active. Go to the gym or join an intramural sport, because the Freshman 15 is real, and no one wants to gain that.
- Find your balance. It won’t happen right away, but eventually you’ll learn how to manage your time, schedule, and priorities.
- Remember that school comes first, not parties. There will always be a theme party at your favorite frat house, but you only get one chance at that math test, so sit down and study. Your social life can wait.
- There are jerks in high school, and there will still be jerks in college. Be aware of that.
- Don’t be afraid of older students—talk to them and get to know them. It’s always a plus to know upperclassmen because they can help you with all kinds of things throughout the year.
- It’s okay to say “no,” and sometimes it’s necessary.
- Find your study spot, a place where you are productive and there aren’t many distractions so you can stay focused and get your work done.
- Don’t be afraid of reaching out to your professors or TA to get some extra help or clarification. They are usually pretty understanding and want you to succeed as well.
- Mistakes happen. You are expected to mess up as a college kid, especially as a freshman. This life is new to you, and we are all humans who make mistakes. However, it's important that you learn from them.
- Don’t forget about your parents and siblings. They love you and miss you and want to hear from you. Plus, they might even send you care packages, which means more free stuff!
- It’s okay to not know what you’re majoring in. Explore your options and find what you like and dislike; it’ll come to you eventually, so there’s no need to panic.
- Not everything has to involve drinking. It’s okay to stay sober—it doesn’t make you lame and it saves your liver.
- If you do decide to drink, know your limits.
- Clean your room…and fridge. No one likes to find moldy, old cheese at the end of the year.
- Organize! It’ll make life so much easier if you know where things are, especially while living in a small space like a dorm room or apartment.
- Have fun, and don’t stress too much! Everything is going to be okay—you will survive freshman year.
