Welcome to college. If I can promise you one thing about how this year will go, it's that it will be unlike anything you have ever experienced (in every way possible). Now that I've reached the ripe old age of 19, I've had a chance to look back on my past year.
The first few months of school, I had never been so nervous or unsure of myself in my entire life. If I had known what I know now then, I honestly probably wouldn't change much because (almost) every experience I had was valuable. However, if I had some specific pointers, it may have made the transition a little smoother. Here are seven tips from me to you:
1. Go to class
Just go! No matter what the night before consisted of, I promise you that you will thank yourself for it! And don't just physically go to class. The more effort you put forth to actually learn, the more you will get out of your classes (your good grades will just be a plus). There is nothing worse than looking at an exam question and knowing that it would have been a "gimme" if you had only gotten out of bed and gone to class the day the concept was mentioned.
2. Take good notes
You'll understand your own words more than cryptic textbook language when it comes time to study. Also, remember that every test is important. You'll never know if that first less than desirable test grade will ultimately determine your final grade for the class. Any test can make or break you.
3. Go to office hours
Make the professor recognize your name and face and I promise it will help you out in the long run. Seriously, if you aren't happy with a grade, annoy the professor and state your case until you are happy with the grade. I know it feels weird, but it pays off! One of my professors even emailed me before he entered the final grades for the semester to make sure that I was happy with all of my grades because I annoyed him so much. It may hurt your pride just a little, but your GPA will thank you!
4. Meet new people
"Make new friends, but keep the old, one is silver and the other's gold,"...unless you have an old friend that holds you back or makes you unhappy- then ditch them. I know it sounds harsh, but at this point in your life, you have to be surrounded by people who build you up. . . for your own good. There are so many new people here, and chances are that you will find a group of friends who will push you to succeed in all areas of your life. Get out there and meet new people solely because they make you happy. You'll meet some of the best people that you will ever meet here. Learn from them, and everyone else that you meet.
5. Get out your comfort zone
As cliche as it sounds, college is all about finding yourself and what you are really passionate about. Get out of your comfort zone to find your passions. There are so many clubs, organizations and activities to fit whatever your interests may be. If something sounds even remotely interesting, I encourage you to explore it through the various organizations that the University offers. You'll never find what you're truly passionate about until you try new things!
6. Don't always give into homesickness
Many of us find ourselves missing our nice comfy beds, home-cooked meals and family time especially during the first few months of school. If your family lives relatively close to campus, it's easy to go home any time you get these feelings of homesickness. My advice to you is to go home sometimes, but not every time you find yourself feeling this way. It is so much more beneficial to make school your new home. Staying on campus forces you to meet new people and try new things, and you will find that staying is actually a lot more fun most of the time! Once you realize this, remember that you should go home sometimes. This transition is just as hard on your parents as it is on you, so always, always, make time to call them for no reason. It means more to them than you may think.
7. Don't be afraid to change
Disregard the countless scribbles in your high school yearbook saying, "you rock, don't ever change,". Don't be afraid to change, grow and learn. At one of my first sorority chapter meetings, a senior stood up and advised us to do something new every day, and that has stuck with me ever since. This is an easy way to grow as an individual. You will not leave this place the same way as you came in, and that's okay. Sometimes, change is good. Always remember that.
Get ready for the most emotional, stressful, incredible year of your life so far. If I had known what I know now then, I would've taken full advantage of every second of my freshman year. Although it's cliche, it goes by faster than you think. The days may seem long, but the year sneaks by. Learn more about the world, but more importantly yourself. Make friends and connections everywhere you go. Take way too many pictures. Have fun. Look forward to the next three years, it only gets better from here. Go out and get 'em, kid.
