Dear Incoming Freshman,
If you are lucky you may know one other person who goes to your college, and that will help with the transitioning from high school to college but make sure you don't bank on that one person being there for you all the time, you have to branch out and meet new people and make new friends. Do not count on your roommate being your best friend. You may get lucky and get an awesome roommate who you click with and you actually do become really good friends but that is not guaranteed to happen. Now I'm not saying to don't try and be friends with your roommate, but try not to put a lot of pressure on your roommate relationship by being together all the time. It can not only ruin the relationship you have as roommates but as friends as well. It's good to make friends with people who are in your major, not only do you see them all the time in class, but they will also probably have some similar interests as you.
Everyone will tell you to get involved on campus-- take that advice, otherwise you will be spending a lot of your time dorm not knowing what to do with yourself. Joining a club is the easiest way to start getting involved, find one that you like and try to just jump in. This is also a good way to meet people who have the same interests as you! If you don't like doing clubs then you can always drop it or pick up a different club, a lot of club leaders are very friendly and want to help you.
Do not expect to have the college experience that you see in movies, there will not be raging parties every weekend, especially not for freshman. In my experience I've seen a lot of dorm parties be shut down and kids get written up for having alcohol underage. This all depends on the school, however, underage drinking is prohibited so think of that before expecting to get wasted every weekend.
If you're struggling in classes, ask for help. Ask your professor, people in your class, the help center, or look for a tutor. Nobody is going to judge you if you need a little extra help, and the only person it hurts if yourself if you don't get the help that you need. Similarly, if you're having trouble adjusting to college life or if you're going through something, then make an appointment with the counseling center. There's no need for you to go through whatever you're feeling alone. Colleges set up a system so that people are there to help you. THIS IS WHAT YOUR TUITION PAYS FOR SO YOU BETTER TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THEIR SERVICES.
If you do something embarrassing, like trip in front of everyone or drop of dish in the cafe, I promise you that NO ONE CARES and they will probably be more concerned for you than they will want to laugh at you. Don't be afraid to put yourself out there, if you don't succeed then don't give up. College is all about opportunities so make sure you don't pass one up.
Sincerely,
A College Freshman
