Just last year I witnessed the college experience: freshman year. Throughout all high-school, our minds are filled with legends and myths about the dynamic place college is. Big choices, leaps of faith, relationships, and stress are only a few obstacles faced during this learning year. They surely sound scary, but most of all, they sound exciting. Trailing off slightly from my usual topics, I would like to share my wide range of experiences and give important tips to remember during your first college year.
That Classmate from First Day
It is true that most of us come to college by ourselves. Needless to say, close relationships are vital, and throughout the first week of classes, everyone wants to meet, well, everyone else. Chances are you will begin a small chat with the person next to you, and maybe you will become pretty good friends and share similar thoughts. However, unless there is some sort of background connecting the both of you, either one of you will end up sitting somewhere else next class. Seats are not reserved; especially in auditorium classrooms. It might feel odd that Bob the sophomore and Susan the junior sat two rows down far away from you. They know well, however, the amount of people there are in college. Move on, meet someone else, and make friends. Eventually, they might turn to you during the final, begging for help, or vice versa. You would never know.
Wanted: Freshmen
Almost every club or association existing in the university takes advantage of the stranded freshmen. If you did not feel wanted before, you will be surprised how many of these organizations want you to be part of them. Some might seem more annoying than others, just wanting your money in exchange for ‘friendship’. Some others might have true values and causes, or ideologies in common. Few focus on academic purposes. The point is, they will try to drag you with them, and even though at some point it might seem scary (say, it has been the 5th time you get approached by the same organization) it is never a bad idea to say yes. Worst case scenario, you used one hour of your life learning you do not have any interested in such organization. Learning in a huge part of college, and getting engaged always helps towards building a network of people. Try and go to that meeting you just got invited to, and something good might come out of it.
You Can Pass That Class
You just failed the first exam. You failed the second exam. You ponder about dropping the class. Would you do it? Most people tend to drop it at the time they fail the first exam, but thinking about it on the long run, you have paid for the class already. Sure, you get some money back, but would you delay your graduation by one class because you gave up? If you definitely cannot, I would say go ahead, but reconsider it for a while. People have resurrected their grades several times with enough effort, why can’t you? You wanted that perfect 4.0, and that class just killed it? Do not worry; you have got plenty of semesters to get your president’s list pin.
Get Out There
I could write much more, but my number one advice is: get involved. Go to events. Improve yourself. Do not be a number. Get a good part-time job. Make relationships. Build a legacy. College is the big step before you go out to the world and become an adult; this is just the beginning. You better ready yourself, as your most prosperous years are just about to begin. Maybe you will not like what you see. Maybe you will. You will never know until you try it.
