With the new school year about to begin, I can't believe how fast my summer vacation has gone by. Being out of classes for almost four months, can make it difficult to return to your study habitats (if you have any) and get back into all-nighters to finish those papers. Going into my Junior year is not only a bit scary, but has my mind thinking of graduate school, career options, and the loans I already have. Sure, I have two more years left, but it all goes by so fast. So in preparation of classes, I began to reach out to friends, close and far to ask them what advice they would give an incoming college freshman-advice they would've liked to receive before starting college.
"My word of advice for incoming freshmen: Read the books you are assigned for a class. You pay for them! And you'll soon find out (when you walk into the college bookstore) that they aren't cheap, but they are packed with information! In high school being a book work, nerdy or the smartest kid in class sometimes held a negative connotation, but it doesn't apply in college. Be a bookworm, learn as much as you can! Ask questions, and take full advantage of the knowledge around you. You're getting an opportunity so many dream of."
-Rachael, Massachusetts Maritime Academy '19 (transferred from UMass Dartmouth)
"Not every experience is the same, so keep an open mind and don't expect your college story to be the same as someone else's."
-Maddie, Bridgewater State University '18
"It's okay if you don't love college, there's a lot of pressure that it's the best 4 years of your life, every year of your life should be the best. You don't have to live up to any expectations, it's your experience no one else's. Also it's ok to say no, there will be another party next weekend, and the weekend after that."
-Kaleigh, St. Michael's College '18 (transferred from a previous university)
"The best advice I can give for freshmen is go outside of your comfort zone and try something new. This is the time to explore and discover who you are before you go off into the real world. For example, I never thought I would join a sorority, but I went through rush anyway. I found the sorority that was right for me and I am a much better person for it. Enjoy your freshman year of college, it only happens once!"
-Amanda, Worcester Polytechnic Institute '18
"The advice I would've given myself back in 2012...oh man...First- Don't doubt your future self. I had an amazing internship with the Air Force, but I can't go into the job that I want because I didn't major in education. I wanted to, but I doubted that I'd ever leave my home state, and teachers in my home state aren't well cared for at all. So, I decided to major in something else, and while I don't regret my major, I at least could've doubled so that I'd be home free to get back to the Air Force! Second- Don't get over-involved...Pick maybe 2-3 (yes, jobs and fun things are included!) and commit to them. Keep them close when you have to push through the ugly. Third- Take each day as it comes and don't stress about the end of school. On my first day of college, my professor told us that the next four years would FLY by...I wish that I'd realized that she was right, and I might've stopped to enjoy each day for what it was, and I probably wouldn't have stressed so much about the upcoming months."
-Morgan, North Carolina State University '15
"Don't be afraid to be yourself because if you pretend to be someone you're not you'll make friends with the wrong people."'
-Shelby, Providence College '18
"Definitely have hookups and don't take Russian classes."
-Shannon, UMass Amherst '18
"My advice for incoming college freshman would be to do what makes you happy above all else, and everything will fall into place. Also- be patient and present in the transition with your parents from high school to college, it can be stressful and confusing but it'll get better ❤️"
-Abby, Worcester Polytechnic Institute '18
"Bring a scale."
-Anonymous
"Don't feel bad about what you choose to do with your college experience as long as you aren't having regrets. Like if you wanna sit in your dorm and the lib all day awesome and if you wanna get wasted everyday sick, but make sure you are doing things you want to. All in all, don't feel obligated to do things but don't miss out on things you will wish you had done."
-Hannah, UMass Amherst '18
"If there is one thing I learned about after high school experiences it would be to do what YOU want. Don't let everyone else's opinions or comments rule your actions. During my senior year of high school I enlisted into the Massachusetts Air National Guard...I still applied to colleges and got accepted to most of them but I decided to go with University of Massachusetts Boston. I did not go to college the fall after graduation...I went to boot camp... I was thrown into a world I was unfamiliar with for 2 months, the military world. It was scary but in the end it was worth it. I love the career I have with the Air National Guard now because I am working with them full time while I go to college as well...I have loved my experience in the military and at a commuter school. I wouldn't have asked for it to be any different. Like I said before...this is YOUR decision. Own that..."
-Ally, UMass Boston '19 and Air National Guard
"In the first week be a social butterfly, and try to socialize with as many people as possible, not only does it help get your mind off home sickness, but also gets you started on making friends!"
-Tigerlily, Wheaton College (MA) '19
"My advice for incoming freshman is to go out and be yourself without holding back. Everyone else is in the same boat meeting new people, figuring out where everything is and wanting to make new friends. Go out of your comfort zone, make friends and be fearless, it's the beginning of a whole new journey. One last piece of advice is do your assignments days before the due date. That way you are less stressed and can work on any other school work you may have!"
-Katryna, UMass Dartmouth '19
"Don't pick your roommate."
-Anika, St. Michael's College '18
"The best piece of advice for college freshmen is to become my best friend. You're welcome."
-Tony, Wheaton College (MA) '19
"Adopt a cat."
Briana, UMass Amherst '18
"My advice would be to take everyone's advice with a grain of salt, including mine. This is such an important time in people's lives that they all want to share things that they think would have helped them, but you aren't them. Some advice won't ever apply to you and some will be spot on. Make your own path and decisions."
-Miranda, Northeastern University '19
Everyone has different advice, but I think overall my biggest advice would be make sure you're choosing to take classes you're interested in, and don't pick a major based purely on your chosen career. I started out my freshman year at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, where I was a biochemistry major. After my first semester, I knew I truly didn't like my science or math classes, causing me to think about what classes I actually would enjoy taking and go from there. Taking English and creative writing classes my second semester, lead me to not only transfer to Wheaton College (MA), but choose English as my new major. I now look forward to taking English classes and fulfilling my liberal arts education. My whole view and perspective on college changed in a year, but that's okay. I definitely prefer some Netflix and going to bed by 10 instead of always going out, but that's okay too. Some days will be hard and some will be easy, but you can do this.
-Sophia, Wheaton College (MA) '18 (transferred from Worcester Polytechnic Institute)
An extra thank you to those of you who helped me and submitted a piece of advice!
