The new fall semester has begun. Finally us returning students are reunited on our campus stomping grounds with the friends and faces we to seeing everyday during the fall and spring semesters. The long summer break was much needed. Some of us worked, some of us partied, and some of us did a little of both. Either way we all enjoyed soaking up the sun without having to constantly check our emails from professors and whatnot.
Summer did drag on though as connections with old friends from high school have slowly weakened. It is no surprise that we have all become more accustomed to college life than real life because I mean, who really wants to be living in the real world right now. Finally, we are all back at San Jose State, the place we call home.
But for the incoming students it is a much different story. As freshmen, you all don’t know that feeling. Instead, you are now in an unfamiliar place with unfamiliar people, living in a world of new found freedom and things you never knew existed. You all said goodbye to your families on move in day and chose to take a new path in life.
After you have introduced yourself to what seems to be hundreds of new people you begin to miss those you left behind to come to college. After you’ve gone to your first few classes you’ve now noticed this isn’t high school anymore. (An essay a week?! Yea people that’s normal).
It won’t always be easy. It won’t always be keg stands and handle pulls or figuring out ways to smoke in your dorm room without an RA finding out. Your first rounds of midterms/finals are going to show you that people really do sleep in the library. Coffee will become a lifesaver rather than an enjoyable morning beverage. With no doubt, you will get homesick but I promise you, you will find a home here.
DO NOT get discouraged. Now is your time. This is the prime of your life. These are the last years you get to spend traveling, interning, partying and just chilling before you are forced out into the real world. So enjoy it. Freshman year is going to be the best year of my life. Keep saying that to yourself. It will become your mantra and eventually your truth. Here’s how to have a killer freshman year by making SJSU your home sweet home.
1. Put yourself out there.
Be social. Make as many friends as you can. College is such a social place especially living in the dorms. Take the opportunity to become acquainted with everyone in your new community. You never know who you’ll meet, you may even meet your new best friend.
2. Your floor is your family.
Creating close relationships with everyone who lives on the same floor as you in your dorm building is possibly the greatest thing you can do. They are the ones who will always be around when you need to make a target run or attend a campus event. They are the ones who you will come home to after a rough day of school or an eventful night out.
3. Attend events on campus.
There are many events held on campus specifically for freshman to help you adjust to campus life. These could be a movie night or any other social event. Go to an event with new friends! You’ll actually have a lot of fun.
4. Join an organization or club.
This is the best way to find a group of people that share the same values or interests as you. Definitely go Greek and/or join a club on campus.
5. Explore campus and everything around it.
If you get bored, take a walk with all your friends around campus. Go inside all the buildings and check them out. This is your school. Sometimes you find some really cool stuff or even a new favorite study sanctuary no one else knows about. Also try eating out some nights at all the local places you can walk to around campus. Get acquainted with your surroundings
6. Form study groups.
Exchange information will people in class. Come midterms and finals, it will pay off big time to have study groups. Make friends with sophomores, juniors, and seniors in your classes. They can be a big help!
7. Get to know your faculty.
Go in to see your professors during office hours. They truly do care about your success in the course. They can be great mentors. Going in to office hours shows professors that you are serious about the class. It may also help your grade at the end of the semester.
8. Get out of town.
Take a little time to get away from the craziness of campus life. Take a drive out to Santa Cruz for a nice hike and some fresh air. Try going into San Francisco to have a fun day in the city.
9. Make your room cozy.
Surround yourself with pictures of loved ones and reminders of home. Get a mattress pad and a super comfy bed set up. Find out what laundry detergent and scents your mom uses back home and go stock up on them. Your dorm room should be your comfort zone to turn to when you are getting homesick.
10. Do not isolate yourself.
If you are feeling homesick it is easy to stay in your bed all night watching Netflix and missing your family back home. When you are feeling down go talk to people on your floor or new friends you have made. Tell them how you are feeling. Go out and grab a movie or find a social event happening around campus. It’ll take your mind off whatever negative feelings you are having.
Get involved, stay positive, and take every opportunity that comes your way. Freshman year will be a breeze. Enjoy it while it lasts.
