With my sophomore year quickly approaching, I wanted to take the time to recap everything I learned this past year.
1. It's OK to change your major.
When applying to college, you look at the overwhelming list of majors that you're "interested in." Of course, it seems like a great idea online but if you do change your mind I promise it is not the end of the world. When you make that decision coming in as a freshman you have no idea what the classes are like and what you are getting into. Feel things out, take a course you are not sure about because maybe you'll end up loving it. After you get a feel for the college life and what classes are like, then make a decision on your major.
2. You will feel defeated sometimes.
There will be nights where you are so upset that if someone talks to you in the wrong tone of voice, you could burst into tears. You will think that you hit rockbottom, but then find out a week later that you really hit rockbottom. This is the vicious cycle of pushing yourself to extremes in order to get work done. Although this sounds like a living hell, it is worth it. Your hard work does pay off and you do rebound. I promise that you will always recover from these crazy times.
3. The friends you make may be the best or the worst thing to happen to you.
The first week of your freshmen year is the worst week of your semester. It may seem like everyone has friend groups already pre-made but you are all in the same boat. Everyone is looking for a friend. With this being said, the people whom you meet the first couple of weeks may not be the people with whom you start your second semester; or even your sophomore year, and that is perfectly fine. I can promise that you will meet some truly incredible people whom you want to stick around. I have met some people whom I know will be in my life forever.
4. It's OK to struggle with a class.
I feel as though the biggest misconception about college is that no one here wants to help you. Granted, you do have to do tons of things for yourself, but I promise there are plenty of resources on campus to help you. Find a study group, find a tutor, and go to your professor. Developing a relationship with your professor can help you understand the material and it could also help your grade. If you are struggling in a class and you professor sees that you are trying to help yourself and that you're emailing them questions, they will put your intentions and actions into consideration when giving you your final grade.
5. You should get involved, but don't overwhelm yourself.
Whether you go club-crazy or decide to rush a fraternity or sorority, do not overwhelm yourself. It's so easy to agree on paper to join nine clubs but when it's time to go to meetings and participate in field trips and volunteering, it adds up. Just be weary, time is very limited and you can only be stretched so thin.
6. If an upperclassmen tells you not to take a professor, listen to them.
Don't make the awful decision to take a professor that an upperclassmen told you not to take. I promise the senior who sits next to you in Psych knows what he is talking about. You are not proving yourself correct by taking that professor, you're only going to make it more difficult on yourself.
7. An 8 a.m. sounds a lot better on paper than it does in the morning.
When scheduling your classes, you may think, "ok well I get up at 6.30 a.m. for high school, I should be able to handle an 8 a.m.!" Wrong. Unless you have to take a class that early, don't. Take it from me, someone who took an organic chemistry class at 8 a.m. I know I would've taken a lot more information from the course if I was awake. Save yourself the time and the energy.
8. Find yourself but don't lose yourself.
It is so easy to get to college (especially if you are far away from home) and start over. You can pretend to be someone else, someone who is a better or different "you" rather than the high school "you." Stay true to yourself, but also refine who you want to be. If you are unhappy with some part of yourself, now is the time to fix it.
9. This is supposed to be the best four years of your life, not the worst.
If something is going on either mentally or involving your surroundings, do something about it. There are always counselors who are there to talk, even if you feel like it's petty. If it is troubling you, go and talk to a professor, a counselor or even a friend. College is not out to get you so if you're struggling in one way or another, get help and fix the issue.
