As school is just around the corner, and many college freshman are about to move into their first dorm room, with their first roommate I am here to tell you, everything is going to be okay. I was in your shoes last year, and as I drove up toward Brevard College, I turned to my mom and said "Mom, I am not ready for this." and She said to me "Yes, you are." She was right. I would soon come to realize that college is going to teach me so much, about myself, who my friends are, and how to balance everything.
Top 8 Things All College Freshman Should Realize:
1. It will be awkward... At First.
I think the most awkward part about being a college freshman is most of the time you don't know anyone. I did not know anyone at my school, and all those freshman events before school where you actually have to talk to random people. Once you get passed all the awkward meetings/events you start to make friends, but most of the time it takes all semester. (That isn't supposed to scare you, but it does take time to develop friendships). The first time I met my "Froomies" for this year was in English 111, with probably one of the craziest professors, but it shows you, you might meet friends in class, in clubs, sports, or even sitting in a random spot on campus. The moral of this, college might seem scary, some moments may be awkward, but in the end you will love it. When summer rolls around, you won't want to leave.
2. Coffee will be your Best Friend.
If you don't like coffee, then well, you have another thing coming. To be honest, Coffee will save you on those morning that you are dragging, or if you decided to play video games all night, and then you have a 8 a.m. class. Those late Sunday Night Football Games, Yeah... Coffee. If you don't like coffee then, I recommend something that has caffeine, like hot tea. I am serious though, find something with Caffeine.
3. Friendships.
Now, we all know in high school we were lucky to have at least one true best friend, and maybe they still have stuck with you (I have three, that have stuck with me). In college, it is so different, no one really cares about how you look, or what you are into. (We all roll out of bed to go to class anyway). I started to really get close to people throughout the first semester, and then second semester when you finally figure out what you are doing, it gets a lot better. You form friendships that will turn into having new roommates, going out together, Wine Wednesdays, and Girl Movie Nights. These friends you meet throughout college are going to be there for you during the happiest moments, the most stressed, the break ups, the hook ups, and the funniest moments of your college time. You will meet some real people, that will make your life a little better everyday.
4. Befriend a Professor:.
Making a good relationship with a professor is important, because they can help you while you are in college, and the long run of life. Making great relationships can lead to on campus jobs, Teacher Assistant Positions, Leadership Roles throughout the college, and so much more. All these things look great on Grad School Applications, and even job interviews. So Befriend a Professor, they will help you.
5. No one is going to help you, so you have to help yourself.
This is probably one of the biggest changes that college students have to come to terms with. Your parents are not there to help you. So that means, laundry, cleaning, changing your sheets, dishes, making food, buying the toilet paper... is up to you. Your parents can't contact the school, if you have a problem you have to deal with it, and talk to your professors/staff. You have to become an adult, and learning how to "Adult" sucks but once you learn, you get used to it. Seriously though, wash your sheets.
6. You will regret the things you missed out on, more than the things you are wrong about.
College is all about new experiences and going on adventures. There is no parents telling you what to do, or how to do it. You have to choose what you do on your own. Going on late night adventures with your roommates are going to be the memories you cherish the most. The stories you one day will tell your grandkids one day, those are the moments that make college, college. Those are the adventures you don't want to miss out on.
7. Actually Study.
This is probably the most important. Studying. We are not in high school anymore, we can't cram vocabulary words in 2 minutes before the test, or quickly skim the chapter we were supposed to read. Seriously I can not stress enough, take the time for your academics. You are paying to be here, or your parents are paying for you to be. Academics are important, and it is worth everything you put into it. Finding away to Balance everything from school, sports, concerts, and friends is hard but it's going to help you in the long run.
8. Your Hometown Friends Won't Forget You.
When you go off to college, you probably won't see your hometown friends as much, and it will turn into a long distance friendship, but your true ones will stick by your side. When you come home on breaks, you will rekindle what you had, it will be like you never left. The hardest thing is, leaving again. These are the people who know more about your personal life then your parents probably do, they have been there for you thick and thin, and when you call them crying the instantly know what to say. Those people are hard to leave. You have amazing people at school, but you will always have those "hometown" best friends, that just get you. Your friendship will be the same, as long as both of you make the effort.
Those are the top eight things that College Freshman should realize as they are starting their new year. It's fun because you get a fresh start, a new room, new people, but it is also scary because it will be the first time you are officially "alone." College will be one of the highlights of your life, and you will always remember the fun times, so why not make the best of it? You will make lifelong friendships, understandings that only you and your roommates will get, and many adventures that you didn't realize you would have. So go live up your freshman year, this is where it all begins.
