Before going off to college I had no idea what to expect, and being the person I am, I was overly nervous about everything. A few things I learned my first year in college...
1. Go to class
I repeat: go to class! It's so easy to skip class when you don't have anyone there to make you get up and go, but in the long run I assure you that you will be thankful you did. Unlike high school where it really didn't matter if you were in class or not, it does in college. Do yourself a favor and just try to make attending class a habit.
2. Get involved
Getting involved is a major part of going to college, especially if you are going to a small college. Being involved in different organizations helps you strengthen your resume and opens you up to meeting so many new people. These organizations will help hold you to a higher standard and provide you with a larger support system.
3. Make friends
No one wants to be alone while being away from home for possibly the first time. Try and go out of your way to make friends! Go to social events put on by your school, join different organizations and try to talk to a few people in your classes!
4. Don't forget the lessons your parents taught you
Being away from home allows you to have a lot more freedom. Make sure to remember who you are and what your parents taught you while you were still at home. As cliche as it may sound, parents typically know what's in your best interest.
5. Don't procrastinate
Procrastinating to do your school work is one of the easiest things to make a bad habit of. Having to speak to myself also, try and make some type of study schedule that will help you stay on track. It is so easy to start getting behind in your classes without even noticing so try and stay on top of things!
6. Be yourself
Make sure to always remember to be yourself! There is no reason to think that you have to change who you are once you go off to college. Surround yourself with people that appreciate you and your personality.
7. Be picky about who you date
Make sure you know the other person well enough before getting into a relationship. Also, keep your priorities in order when you start dating and throughout the relationship. Always try and have academics as one of your main priorities, because your grades will begin to slip once you have taken your focus off of them. Whoever you may date should encourage you to do the best you can in whatever you may be involved in and also in the classroom. College is a hard transition and you shouldn't let someone else change the reasons why you are there.
8. Don't be negative
Going off to college means being surrounded by a lot of people that may be exactly like you, or the total opposite. Try and be positive as much as you can, because no one wants to be around someone who is negative. People may not like you or your personality but, as hard as it may be, try and be positive towards them also. It will help show you are the bigger person!
Going off to college made me really keep in mind what my parents taught me while growing up. Leaving home for the first time I did have to learn some things on my own, but I realized I did not have to change for anyone. I had to make academics a priority and to always try and be the positive person in situations. Your freshman year of college will have a big impact on you and the people you decide to surround yourself with!
