When I tell people I’m going into my senior year of college, the words never sound real. How could this be?? It feel like I was a freshman last week! Throughout the past three, quick years at the University of Delaware, I have learned and grown so much. And while I’ve maneuvered my way through my time here with a lot of highs and a lot of lows, there are a few tips that I wish I was told as a freshman. While some things might seem obvious, it’s definitely important to grasp the fact that college is a time to grow, figure out who you are, what you want in life, and meet some of the best people you can find. Here is some of my advice to you lucky freshmen:
Read your syllabus
Before you email your professor or raise your hand in class to ask when the exam is or when certain due dates are—read your syllabus!! There is nothing more irritating for a professor and even your classmates then taking time out of class or their day to answer a question they already addressed. A syllabus is your holy grail for your classes—they break down what you will be graded on and how much it will weigh, when all of your due dates will be, and class expectations that you must follow. Oh, and check it frequently--ya never know when a due date may creep up on you.
Don’t go looking for a boyfriend/girlfriend
Going away to school gives you the opportunity to meet so so many new people in classes, parties, clubs, or even in the dining hall. Obviously, if you’re going into college with a high school sweetheart, all power to you! But, the biggest mistake I’ve seen is girls or boys chasing after a new beau before their first semester comes to an end. College is a time to grow into the person you want to become and having a boyfriend or a girlfriend so early in your new journey can potentially stunt this growth. As cheesy as this may sound, love will come when it’s least expected. Experience life, new friends, find yourself, and just do you baby!
Don’t strut in a party like you own the place
Don’t take this the wrong way, but you’re a freshman, the new kids in town, the froshmeat who are at the bottom of the food chain. We’ve all been there; just like being an intern or starting a new job, you need to earn respect and work your way up. And don’t get me wrong, confidence is amazing, welcomed, and will get you very far in life, but there is a difference between having confidence and acting entitled to getting to the front of the keg line. By walking into a party like you’re the new queen bee or king of the castle, not only will you get some dirty looks, you probably won’t be invited back.
Keep the one-night stands to a minimum
I can’t tell you how many boys and girls look back and think I could have done without that. Party make-outs can be fun and is what freshman year partying is all about! But be careful with how far you take some of these make-outs and always be responsible.
Join on-campus clubs
Get involved on campus!! By joining clubs, especially those that relate to your major or what you want to do post-graduation, you’ll meet tons of new people and have an impressive addition to your resume. Just like when applying to college, the admissions office wants to see a well-rounded and involved candidate and so do your future employers. Gaining experience, practicing and enhancing your skills, and making potential connections will make it worth the weekly club meetings.
Study hard
Freshmen year can be a crazy time with your new-found freedom of being able to do what you want when you want without any adults or parents nagging you to eat, study, or to take a frickin’ shower. Taking time to go to the library, whether it’s catching up on homework or studying for mid-terms, is really important and a huge part of growing up. Learning to prioritize and improve your time-management skills will be life-changing.
Don’t study too hard
Your grades and classes are important, but don’t kill yourself over it. All-nighters, locking yourself in the library or your bedroom, and spending countless hours hitting the textbooks all at once will do more damage to your mental health and test score than help it. Take sufficient breaks, take the night off to watch Netflix, make a super good meal, go work out—by giving yourself a break, you’re relieving all of that testing pressure and taking care of yourself first. I’m not saying to be stupid and go out the night before an exam because you feel you’ve studied enough. Go to bed early and eat a well-rounded meal before the exam instead of heightening your testing anxiety with a last-minute cram session. Your mental and physical well-being are much more important than any grades you will receive in college.
Make (safe) mistakes
Growing up, especially in college, is all about making mistakes and learning from them. Don’t be afraid to try new things, go out of your comfort zone, and experience everything that comes your way! Just make sure you aren’t risking your safety and always use the buddy system.
Take advantage of the dining hall
Depending on your dining hall (mine most definitely was not the best), you’re going to want to take full advantage of already cooked meals. Besides the fact that your parents have already pre-paid for these meals, I’ve had some of the best times sitting in the dining hall with my future roomies—not to mention, it’s the greatest place to people watch. When you live off campus and start cooking for yourself, you’re going to miss having instant meals right at your fingertips.