There’s something about those early morning jitters while driving down to your new college. Six months earlier, you had decided which campus would be your next home, and move-in day is finally here. Your head buzzes with thoughts about what to expect while your heart tries to keep those ideas at bay. When you step out of your car, which is packed to the brim with boxes of clothes, cleaning supplies, and sheets, you’re simultaneously stepping into a new chapter of your life.
After being in college for two weeks, I can’t say I’m an expert on every aspect of life on my own. There are lessons I’m still learning and adventures yet to be explored, but I’ve discovered new things I never expected I would.
Be yourself, it’s the best way to find friends. I believe a common misconception for incoming college students is the need to be someone other than yourself. There are people out there who fully understand the way you act, the things you say, and the jokes you laugh about. When you are true to who you are, you’re bound to meet people who are the same.
Create a solid relationship with your roommate. You’re living with each other for nine months. It's best if you could get to know them. Learn what they like to do and what their habits are. Occasionally, go out for lunch, have late-night conversations, and help each other out with homework. The last thing you want is to find out that you guys don’t agree on something crucial halfway through the first semester.
Don’t be afraid to talk to your professor. While you learn a lot of things outside of class, college is also about learning things inside the classroom. Their main goal is to make sure you learn the material. Ask them questions, email them, and schedule appointments to see them. They are there to help you out, not to trick you.
You’re going to have to read. A lot. Remember in high school when teachers told you college would consist of 50 pages of reading in one night? Yes, that actually happens. It’s easy to procrastinate on those assignments, but the best way to tackle them is by splitting up the reading over a few nights. It’s much easier than cramming a huge reading in at midnight the night before it’s due.
Never forget those you love at home. It’s easy to get caught up in the hype of something new. Call your parents at home, even if it’s just to say hello for five minutes. Text your friends who are still in high school, ask them how they’re doing, and listen to what’s going on in their lives. Don’t let people tell you “not to get caught up in the past.” Those people in the past made you who you are, and it’s best to keep relationships with them.
While there are a lot of things first-years have to learn, our growth over the past few weeks has skyrocketed. It’s important for us take challenges head on, embrace our mistakes, and learn from them. After all, that’s what college is for.
