Here comes the next step of your life, and trust me when I say that it's a really big step. Almost so big that you may trip or fall while trying to climb up there, but you will get there.
Seeing your college friends' Snapchat stories or Instagram posts may lead you to believe that freshman year is a breeze—some aspects of freshman year are—but the side you don't see is the difficulty freshmen have with their new transition.
Here is what I learned after my freshman year:
1. Get involved.
One of my biggest regrets during my freshman year was not getting involved in any organization. As you know, Penn State is a large campus with over 40,000 students. You can easily be swallowed up in everything around you unless you get involved. Last year all I did was eat, go to the gym, go to class, do homework in my room, and sleep. I didn't have a roommate, which made things much lonelier and not giving me any reason to go out do things. I suffered from anxiety because I thought I didn't have any friends. I rarely hung out with anyone, and I went home all the time.
At the beginning of my sophomore year, I decided to take control of my college experience and decided to join the Student Pennsylvania State Education Association (SPSEA) and a THON committee. Joining those two organizations changed my life for the better. I was happier, I had a number of friends that were just like me, and I actually left my apartment to hang out with my new friends. Getting involved changed my outlook on college. So soon-to-be-freshmen, go to your college's involvement fair and sign up for as much as you can. You will not regret it.
2. Only go home when you absolutely need to.
As I said before, I used to go home almost every weekend. The first mistake I made was going home the first weekend. I was warned by a family member to not go home because I would keep wanting to go home. That family member was right. Staying at school on the weekends is the best way to make friends and make your college experience so much better!
3. You really have to start watching what you eat and exercising more than you did in high school.
As much as you may want to, eating pizza and ice cream every night at the dining commons is not going to keep your high school figure. It's okay to indulge sometimes, but doing it every night is going to cause you to gain the Freshman 15. Also, in college, you aren't as active, especially if you used to play sports in high school. Going to the gym sucks, but you have to do it if you want to avoid that extra college weight.
4. It's okay to not go out to parties every weekend.
I personally have chosen to not party in college, but freshman year I felt like that was the only way to make friends. Guess what, that's not true. There are people that are just like you on campus who don't like to party. Go out and find them!
5. High school does not prepare you for college.
Coming into college was a big slap in the face. High school is definitely not set up the way college is. The work load increases in college. You may think that it will be easy to get it done with all the free time a college student has, but that is not necessarily true. Your college years will be some of the busiest years of your year. No one is going to sit there and tell you to do an assignment like in high school. You have to make the decision to do the work. Time management is the key.
6. You will miss your parents and siblings.
Everyone gets homesick at some point. It's okay. It's not a bad thing. Make sure you call your mom and dad, as well as your brothers and sisters when you're missing them. Just hearing their voice can make your day better.
7. You will become a broke college kid.
It's inevitable. You will have to pay for textbooks, school supplies, food, etc. All of this adds up quickly. The key is to avoid eating out and buying unnecessary items. I know dining commons food may suck, but sometimes you'll just have to eat it for your wallet's sake. That shirt may be super cute, but do you really need it?
8. Going to counseling actually helps with the transition.
I wish I would've gone to my school's counseling services sooner during my freshman year to help with the transition. It is not a shameful thing to take advantage of it. It will really help you, especially if you are beginning to feel the stress that college can bring upon you. So, if you feel like you need a little support, get in contact with your school's counseling services. Your health is important.
9. Getting sick is common.
Odds are you will get sick, especially at the beginning of the semester. Sharing a room with one person and sharing a bathroom with a whole bunch of people spreads all kinds of germs. The best way to avoid the "plague" that's going around campus is to wash your hands often, take Airborne, and eat healthily.
10. Last, but not least, have fun!
Your college years are going to be the best four years of your life. There will be a lot of downs, but there will be more ups. Take advantage of what your school has to offer. There is nothing more exciting than having your independence for the first time. Enjoy being young and make the best out of college!
