You did it!
You graduated high school. That point in a young person's life that folks will say is the most storied and fabled of them all. Well, those folks are wrong. Whether you thought high school was a breeze or a steep summit, I regret to inform you that it was only the tip of the academic iceberg, and college is looming. But don't worry! There'll be new friends and faces to help you along the way, and all it takes to succeed is a hefty amount of dedication and the ability to run on three hours of sleep for at least half a day. For the rising college freshmen, that first year can be the most bizarre slew of emotions; excitement, anxiety, stress, and fun all run together like the colors in an obscure Dali painting, so here are some things I wish I knew going into freshmen year.
1. Try new things.
This one's pretty vague, so I'll explain. This goes for both your academic and personal life. If you've got a particular "method" you used to get through tests and homework in high school, you may very well find that same method to be worthless two weeks into that first physics or chemistry class. So, experiment! Try study techniques and habits that you maybe couldn't have in high school, like actually sitting down to manage all your time and resources, or locking down a few hours a day to study particular subjects and classes. College is an entirely different sort of academic experience; it's important to walk into the first class with that mindset.
Secondly, there's the personal life. Not big on the party scene in high school? It's okay, neither was I. But contrary to what Hollywood or your crazy uncle might want you to believe, college social life is more than just frat houses and red solo cups. It's a different climate; all of a sudden, things like working out, playing games, or even studying can be social functions, not to mention that vast array of events I guarantee are happening on your campus at any given point in time. Which leads me to my next point.
2. Explore.
This can be tricky. If you're like me and go to a school in an urban setting, there's plenty to do and see, no matter what city you're in. But even if you're studying on a rural campus, you might be surprised. Everywhere in the United States is just a short drive away from a natural park or historical site, and if you don't have a car, it's just another excuse to meet people! For lack of a better way to put it, college campuses are hotbeds for just...stuff. There's always stuff going on, so take advantage.
3. Put school first.
This is important. You're here to study, not party or mill around, or what have you, and you'd be surprised how many people forget this in the first semester. But believe me, we're all guilty of it, even if it's just hitting play on one more episode on Netflix instead of cracking open that textbook you shelled out three figures for. Just always keep in mind that they call you a full-time student for a reason. This is your job now, a job that you have to pay for, yes, but it will be worth it in the long run, so long as you keep at it and don't lose focus.
4. Study. No, I mean it. STUDY.
I can't stress this enough. However much you studied in high school, take that average amount and double it. Then, after you get into it for a few weeks, ramp it up even more. College is all studying, since you sure can't rely on a teacher guiding you step by step through the material. If you can't keep up, it's up to you to get back on track on your own time. Moreover, if you know you aren't grasping the material, you may have to cancel your plans to go to dinner, or yes even a basketball game (at NC State, that's got to be a dire circumstance, but it happens).
Just don't get discouraged! It can and will get hard, and even emotional at times, but you have to remember that you're here for a reason, and you can't lose sight of that. All it takes is ambition and determination, and that's something that everybody has, even if they don't realize it.
