Now that I am a junior and have conquered two years of college, I have definitely learned a few things. From pulling all-nighters in the library to having to put myself out there in uncomfortable situations to meet new people, there are definitely a few pieces of advice I would love to pass on to newcomers who are taking on college for the first time this year.
So I have compiled a list of eight tips that I believe are the bare necessities of what every college freshman should know coming into their first year. I hope these tips will help you to have the best college experience possible and to make this first year a memorable one.
1. SLEEP IS NECESSARY. If you want to make good grades, have an active social life and maintain your sanity, sleep is a must. Make sure to set up your schedule and budget your time well enough to have a chance to get a good night sleep as often as possible.
2. And if you don't have time to sleep, then caffeine is necessary. As nice as a good night sleep may sound, sometimes it really just isn't possible. In these cases, then caffeine is definitely a must. If you don't like coffee, then try to drink green or black tea.
3. Always make an effort to put yourself out there. As uncomfortable and awkward as you may feel at first, putting yourself out there is the most important thing you can do in college to make friends. Just remember that everyone is in the same boat as you and wants to meet new people, so do your best to let go and just go for it.
4. Don't forget to call your parents. College is going to be the busiest time of your life. From school to friends to work to extracurricular activities, it can get pretty crazy. DO NOT FORGET TO CALL YOUR PARENTS. I promise they're missing you more than you know, and to hear your voice at least once a week will mean the world to them.
5. Eat a balanced diet. The freshman 15 is very real people. You're not at home anymore being served balanced meals by your mom, so do your best to eat a balanced diet to avoid that weight gain.
6. Get as much exercise as you can. Going along with eating a healthy diet is getting as much exercise as you can fit into your schedule. I understand that it's hard to go every day, but exercising is a great stress reliever and will only benefit you in the long run, so try to make time for it.
7. Good grades take work. This isn't high school, making good grades take a lot of work. In order to have academic success, find out what works for you and really make an effort to do it. Whether it's reviewing your notes after class, making notecards or getting together in study groups, do whatever is necessary to make awesome grades.
8. Reward yourself for your hard work. College is a blast, guys. Always reward yourself when you do well. Go to that concert out of town, be the loudest and proudest fan at every football game and just have a great time with your friends. This is a once in a lifetime experience, don't miss out on anything.
