It's that time of year again: back to school time! Many students are making the transition to college and it can be a scary time. For some, it's their first time away from mom and dad. For others, the stigma of college being so much harder than high school is daunting. Here's some advice for all the college freshmen in order to make the first year of college the best experience possible!
Don't feel like you have to bring all of your possessions with you.
Dorm rooms are notoriously tiny. There is no way you will have room for your 10 pairs of Jordans or 50 shirts. Sit down and seriously look at your wardrobe. What items do you wear the most? What items are the most versatile? Also, invest in some storage organizers. Boxes that stack or slide under the bed save so much space.
The people you meet your first week won't usually be your friends by the end of the semester.
Don't fret if the first person you clicked with on welcome weekend hasn't talked to you in a week. As the semester progresses, you will meet so many people and make so many friends. The lasting friends will emerge later on. Don't take it personally if you lose touch with someone.
Have fun, but be smart.
Don't be afraid to go out and have fun, but have some common sense. Don't party all night in the middle of the week and then try to go to class the next day. Keep a normal sleep schedule and stay on top of your assignments. It's very easy to fall behind. There's no reason to be the person who never leaves their room because they're constantly studying, but do set aside some time every evening to work on assignments before you relax with your friends later on.
Go to class.
Don't forget that you still are in school; which means, you still have to go to class! You or your parents are paying hundreds of dollars per credit for you to further your education. Don't waste that money just because you don't feel like going to class.
Pay attention on syllabus week.
The first week of classes is mostly just listening to your professors explain the syllabus. Most students zone out, but it serves you to pay attention. Following along as the professor talks will allow you to get a feel for how hard a class will be and how many tests, assignments and readings there will be. There will also be due dates for big projects later on in the semester. It's extremely helpful to put the dates of exams and projects in your phone or in a planner so it doesn't just slip your mind until the night before.
Don't be afraid to try new things.
Join a new club, meet new people, do something you've never done before. College is the land of opportunity. Grasp that opportunity while you can. Clubs aren't just for people who are going to college for that major. From what I've experienced, most clubs welcome anyone and everyone and are just happy to share their passion with as many people as possible.
It is 100% okay to call mom or dad.
Never feel ashamed to call your parents. College is a new experience, and for many it can be overwhelming. No matter if you're homesick, need to vent, or just want to hear a familiar voice, your parents will still be there for you no matter what. And chances are they miss you more than you miss them! It's okay to still feel like you need your parents. It takes time to learn to be independent.
It takes a while to get used to all the new experiences college brings. Take it one day at a time and don't be afraid to ask for help. Your peers are going through the same things you are. When you're all in the same boat, it makes tackling new challenges a lot less scary.
