Freshman Tips From A Current Freshman
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Freshman Tips From A Current Freshman

Learn from the mistakes of others.

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Freshman Tips From A Current Freshman
Inbal Marilli

When I was an incoming freshman, I thought I would naturally do well like I did in high school. But when I got here I realized I had no study habits, I couldn't use a planner to save my life, and I expected things to go smoothly. Freshman year is anything but smooth. Here are some of the things that I have learned during my freshman year.

1. Don’t expect move-in day to go as planned.

All of your clothing might not fit into your closet/dresser -- don’t be surprised. Your college closets and dressers are more than likely going to be incredibly small. You might not get the side of the room you expected. You might forget to pack the most necessary necessities. One of my roommates forgot to pack her toothbrush. It happens. You might have tons of plans to decorate your dorm walls, but sometimes things just won’t stick. During the first two months of school, nothing would stick to my walls because of the humidity. Bottom line, just don’t be surprised when things don’t go perfectly as you imagined them.

Tip: When your parents offer to do everything for you, let them. They’re letting go of their baby and this is the last time for a while that they get to baby you.

2. Keep track of when you skip classes.

Most professors have some type of attendance policy, some are lenient and some are strict. Figure out which kind you have and make sure you don’t fail the class because you forgot how many times you skipped the class.


3. Make friends (not enemies) with people in your hallway.

Just like with your roommates, you will be living near these people for the next nine months. You do not want to make enemies of your hallmates. They can make your life suck. They can be noisy all hours of the night and keep you awake. They can refuse to give you toilet paper when you’re out and your RA is MIA. It’s always nice to at least be friendly with your hallmates. Be nice to them and they will be nice to you.

4. Take your freshman classes seriously, your GPA will suffer if you don’t.

Hating your FYS and COM 101 classes is inevitable, but take them seriously. Every class you take goes towards your GPA. You don’t realize how much things count until you get your final grades and realize you barely have a 3.0 because of FYS and COM 101.

Note: In high school, you are used to having tons of points where one bad test score doesn’t matter in the long run, but in college, in some classes you have two grades -- a midterm and a final. If you completely bomb the midterm, you’re screwed unless you get a perfect on the final.


5. Don’t drink in freshmen buildings, especially during orientation weekend.

College is a place where a bunch of 18 year-olds are on their own for practically the first time in their life. Things will get crazy. People will try to drink during their first weekend of freedom… because that is “so college.” Don’t drink during Orientation Weekend. You will probably get caught and written up. If you choose to drink alcohol, do it wisely and safely. Know what alcohol poisoning is and its symptoms. Know what to do when someone is getting sick. Don’t go anywhere alone or let anyone try to walk home alone -- whether you know them or not. Don’t drink in freshman dorm buildings, that’s the easiest place to get caught.

***Underage drinking is ill advised because it is illegal.

6. Be considerate to your roommates.

You will be living with these people for the next nine months. You do not want them to be dreading being around you or do anything to cause a serious argument. Be courteous. Keep your music/TV volumes to a minimum, or use headphones. Be quiet when your roommates are trying to sleep or do homework. If you have earlier classes than your roommates, be quiet and try to not wake them up. If you have your own bathroom in your room, keep it clean, take out the trash and replace the toilet paper! Be considerate of your roommates if you’re having guests over, especially guests of the other sex. You do not need to be best friends with your roommates, but don’t make them hate you.

7. Ask for help.

You’re paying how many thousands of dollars to go to this school, use the services your tuition pays for. Most colleges have tutoring systems, writing centers, and services of that sort. You can always ask your professor, classmates, or friends for help. Asking for assistance is not cowardly nor will it make you look badly.

8. Get out of your room! Get involved and branch out. But don’t forget to study.

If you spend all nine months in your room, you probably won’t have many friends and that’s just boring. Getting out of your room, and joining a club or organization will help you make friends who have the same interests as you. It also gives you something to do… so you don’t just go to class, eat, and watch countless hours of Netflix. But don’t join too many clubs or organizations that it will affect your studies.


9. Make friends in your classes.

Making friends in your classes is essential for two reasons. The first reason is so that you have somebody to talk to in class and the second is because you will know someone in your class that can help you study, tell you what the homework is, and give you the notes when you decide to skip class.

10. Get to know your professors.

Getting to know your professors is just as important as making friends in your classes. One day you will need some sort of favor, whether it be a letter of recommendation or help for when you’re struggling. Professors have so many connections and they are there to help you, so take advantage of it. They know what they’re talking about and have the tools that can help you later in life.


11. Get a planner and use it (plan ahead and use your syllabus).

At the beginning of each semester, your professors will give you a syllabus. This outlines the entire semester, and gives you the rules of the professor. Some professors make a very detailed syllabus telling when assignments are due, when tests/quizzes/papers/projects are going to happen. Take advantage of this, write these dates in your planner. Put reminders in your calendar to remind yourself to start writing that English paper that’s due next week. When your professor changes due dates, cancels class, or adds assignments, write it down. You will be sorry if you don’t. If you have a meeting, write that down. Write it all down and be organized.

Writing down other things, such as friends’ birthdays, athletic events, or campus activities you want to attend also helps and it makes you look like a better friend when you remember their birthday.

12. Go to school functions (comedians, musicians, plays, lectures).

Believe it or not, school functions are fun… and sometimes will get you extra credit for a class. Going to see a comedian or listening to a lecture might not seem like a super fun and exciting night, but you might actually learn something from it. That’s not so bad, is it?


13. Support your school sports.

College sporting events are fun, seeing your friends and classmates doing what they love is fun, supporting your school is not strange, it’s fun. Yeah, it might suck going to watch a lacrosse game when it’s freezing outside, but you’ll be making memories with your friends. What will you remember more, staying in and watching Netflix or going out and freezing your ass off with your friends?

14. Just because the school’s cafe is all you can eat, does not mean you should eat all that you can eat.

Ever hear of the infamous “Freshman 15”? Yeah, it’s a real thing. Remember when you were in high school and you saw last year’s seniors come back for winter break, and you all talk about how so and so gained a lot of weight, and think that it’ll never happen to you? If you don’t watch yourself, you could be that person that the seniors will be talking about next year. I’m not saying that you have to count your calories or go workout all the time. I’m saying that you must be conscious of what you’re putting into your body. Cafeteria food is not your mom’s home cooking. That stuff is made to feed thousands of students every day, so it’s probably not the healthiest. There’s also the danger of the want to go out to eat all the time because of the terrible cafe food. Sure, it might taste better but is it better for your body? Just be careful, you don’t want to have to go out and spend all of your Christmas money on bigger clothing because you don’t fit in yours anymore.


15. Figure out where you work best and go there to do homework, projects, reading, etc..

Most people say not to do your homework while sitting in your bed because you’re more likely to take a nap, watch Netflix, or get distracted. That’s not the case for everyone. For example, whenever I go to the library I am easily distracted by the people who are constantly walking around, the noises of printers or quiet conversations. I get nothing done in the library. For some people, that’s the only place they can get their work done. Hopefully, by this point in your life, you’ve realized where and in what conditions you work best in. Find a spot on campus that fits those needs and go there to do your homework.

16. Pick gen eds that you’re actually interested in but don’t forget to make sure you take all of the classes you need for graduation.

General education. These classes have the reputation of being boring and totally sucking. But if you choose wisely, they don’t have to suck. Don’t just pick whatever class fits into your schedule, pick the one that seems interesting to you. If you’re bored in the class, then you won’t want to go and are probably going to skip more often, which will hurt your grade.


17. It’s never too early to look at internships or work study programs.

A lot of majors suggest (or require) a student in that program to complete an internship or work study program. Most have it listed in the eight-semester plan as to when they would like you to do so, but you can start looking at any time. There are so many opportunities available to you, you just have to go find them sometimes. If you start looking early, by the time you need to start applying, you already know where to start.

18. Use your resources.

Schools have tons of resources for their students to use, you’re paying for it, so use it. Libraries have so many resources -- books, journals, online databases, and staff to help you with everything. A lot of schools have writing centers and a tutoring program for free, if you’re struggling or want someone to edit a paper, go find them! It might be embarrassing to say you need help in your calc class, but after you take that initial step and ask for help, you’ll be glad you did.


19. Don’t forget to call your parents.

As previously mentioned, your parents are letting go of their baby for probably the first time in their lives. At first, they’re going to have trouble letting go, they might call you every day. That’s okay. This is just as big of an adjustment for them as it is for you. Eventually, they will get used to not talking to you every day. But as you talk less, don’t let it get to the point where you only talk to them when you need something. Call them every once in awhile and let them know how you’re doing.

20. Take risks, make some memories.

College is fun. You’re on your own for the first time, away from the rules of Mom and Dad. Have fun, and make the most of it. It’s okay to do some stupid stuff and think about the consequences later, but not all the time. Take a risk and ask that cute boy (or girl) out on a date. Go to the local 24-hour diner at 3 o’clock in the morning when you’re craving a burger. Stay up all night writing that eight page paper you procrastinated on. Stay in one weekend and do DIY crafts or do ugly (or hot) makeovers. Make memories with your friends and have better stories to tell your friends from home when you’re all together again.


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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
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