Freshman year comes with so many emotions and is a huge year in your college career. Some of you may know exactly what you want to do with your college experience, while others don't even have a clue. Here's a little advice to those incoming college freshman.
1. Times will get tough.
There will be times that you'll want to give up and just forget it all. But you can't do that. You have to stay strong and stick it out because in the end, it will all be worth it.
2. It's OK to change your major.
As a college freshman, I changed my major 3 times and they were all very different. It's OK to do this! We are humans that change our minds so if you're ever unsure of what you want to major in, do some research on Google or go to your college's career development center and talk with someone about what you're thinking. Don't think that once you start college, you're stuck with the major you started with. This is your career and your time to explore and you can change it whenever you want.
3. Get involved as much as possible, but learn how to manage your time.
Joining clubs, sports, and fraternities/sororities are awesome ways to get to know new people and make friends. Just learn how to manage your time because being a freshman, you're already going to be overwhelmed. So don't pack all of your free time with meetings and activities. You'll want some free time to yourself to study for that big test or maybe to catch up on some sleep.
4. Try to become close with your roommate(s).
These are the people that you wake up every morning and look at so you might as well get to know them. All you can do is try and if all else fails, try to switch rooms or stick it out until the end of the semester. If your roommate just doesn't talk, try to start up conversations that they might be interested in. If it ever gets to the point where your stuff is being messed with (which happened to me), go to your RA or the person in charge or your building and tell them the problems your having. Sometimes you might get lucky and be able to switch your room or be moved to an empty room.
5. Don't be afraid to be different.
Standing out can be a good thing. Find something that makes you happy. Speak your mind. Find people that enjoy the same things you do. Don't be like everyone else, be your own person.
6. Consider all your options.
Really think about all the decisions you make. You are now off on your own but that doesn't mean to go crazy. You don't have parents bugging you now all the time and telling you what to do. Is it really worth it to skip class?
7. Sleep is needed.
Don't be one of those people who stay out all hours of the night partying on a school night and go to class the next morning complaining of a hangover and you're exhausted. Sleep is really needed in order to get through your day.
8. Don't get on your professor's bad side.
Do not be the kid to stay on their phone 24/7 during class time. Pay attention because pretty much everything is important. Try to meet all the deadlines for tests and assignments and if something comes up and you can't make it to class, let your professor know. Most of them can be understanding.
9. Be open-minded.
Don't be so quick to judge other people. Everyone deserves a chance to tell their story. You never know the home life of your classmates so try to be kind and welcoming to them.
10. Let your parents get involved.
On move in day, let your mom make your bed and your dad set up the tv. They want to help you. They will soon be without you (especially if you don't plan on going home a lot) for a good bit of time. When something is happening on campus or you ace that math test, tell them. They want to hear all about it more than you think.
11. Don't be afraid to ask for help.
There are numerous resources on campus that you can seek for help. Tutoring is free and you should definitely take advantage of that. You don't have to be failing to have a tutor, you can change that B on your last test to an A on the next with a little help from tutoring sessions. Your professors have office hours for a reason, they want you to come in and ask for help with any questions you have.
12. NEVER PROCRASTINATE.
Deadlines come up faster than ever before so do not get behind with your work. If you know you have an assignment due in three days and you find yourself sitting around all day with nothing to do, go ahead and start the assignment. Those three days will be up before you know it and then you'll find yourself panicking, trying to throw something together.
13. Most importantly, make it count!
This is your time to make something of yourself. Focus on you and put yourself before others. Make as many memories as you can. Enjoy every second because time flies and it'll be gone before you know it.
