Freshman year is one of the most exciting and stressful times in your life. New friends, experiences, and memories. but also many adjustments to be made. After recently finishing my freshman year, here are 10 things I wish I knew before.
1. Whether you get a random roommate or look for one doesn’t matter; it's what you make of it.
Finding a freshman year roommate can be difficult so going random can be a lot easier. They can either become your best friend or just someone you share a room with. It's whatever you make it. If you want a close relationship with your roommate put the effort in and get to know them. Spend time together, go out and soon enough you’ll be best buds! But sometimes it just doesn’t work out which is totally OK! As long as you respect each other and your things, you should be fine.
2. Get close with your RA!
Your RA is there to act basically as a parent for your floor. They are a great resource for everything like how to get involved in school or roommate issues! Another great reason to be bffs with your RA is they know where all the parties (and the best ones) are. Remember, they are a student, too, and they like to have a social life just as much as you do!
3. Don’t be intimidated by the huge Facebook group for your class.
Ah, the Facebook group. We’re all a part of it, and we’ve all scrolled endlessly searching for new friends, roommates or even potential boyfriends. (Don’t lie, we’ve all done it.) Don’t worry if you haven’t made any friends before school! The first week everyone is scrambling to make friends and I guarantee you will find yourself friends. As much as the FB group can be scary, it can be a great way to find people from your area that are coming to your school and is also a great tool during the school year to sell things like concert tickets. It also is used as a lost and found. (Before you graduate, you will post in the group about a lost key, card or fob at least once, I promise you.)
4. The friends you make the first few weeks might not be there at the end, and that’s totally OK!
Like I said before, the first few weeks of school everybody is trying to make as many friends as they can. But as school goes on, people slowly fade away and soon you’ll see that your huge group of friends is turning into a smaller, closer group. This is totally normal and happens to everyone. Looking back, I used to go out with people the first few weeks that I would barely speak to now. You’ll find the friends who you are closer with and they will soon enough become your best friends.
5. The size of campus will shrink.
I remember touring my school and thinking I would need a bike/car/airplane to get from one side of campus to the other. After a few weeks of walking around and also getting lost a few times, I realized it wasn’t as big as I thought it was! Especially if you're walking with some friends, the long walks will definitely feel shorter! The only time your large campus may feel extra large is when it's raining. (bring rain gear, you’ll probably need it more than you think)
6. The freshman 15 is not a myth.
In HS, I was never concerned with my weight. I always was on the smaller size, so I figured I had nothing to worry about. It can be difficult to eat healthy in college, especially if you’re on a budget. There’s going be times at 2:00 A.M. where you and your friends order pizza and eat a box of pop-tarts and that’s totally fine!! But for me, I did this way too often and started to gain weight. I found that if I ate at the dining hall for each meal I would eat much less and a lot healthier. Also make use of the (free!) gyms on campus and try not to eat out as much; you’ll save so much money!
7. Don’t be that person...
We all know that one person who went a little to hard their first night... It happens to basically everyone in college and is nothing to be ashamed of. But if you can wait until a few weeks/months in, it’ll make your life so much easier. You don’t want to be remembered as the freshman who got sick their first night out, so keep it classy and clean!
8. Join as many clubs/RSO’s as possible!
You’ve probably heard this one before, but it’s because it’s true! It's a lot easier to join clubs at the beginning of school so sign up for as many as you can. You’ll soon be getting bombarded with emails telling you about interest meetings. You don’t have to actually participate in all of them, but this way you have options to choose from and to see which fit in your schedule best!
9. You’re allowed to struggle in your classes your first semester.
College classes are more difficult than high school classes, it’s a fact. So if you find yourself not getting A’s the first few weeks, don’t beat yourself up. It takes some time to adjust and get used to the classes and professors. Definitely make use of everything your school has to help you get the grades you want like tutors, writing centers and even math labs! If you know you're struggling in a class, get a tutor as soon as you can, because it'll help you in the long run. Take it from someone who waited a little too long and (almost) failed chem. Also go to your professor’s study hours. Introducing yourself and keeping in touch may help bring that C+ to a B!
10. Enjoy every minute of it!
Freshman year is something you only get to experience once, so make sure you make the most of it! You might get dirty looks from older students when you take pictures at every single party possible but do it! You’ll look back at them and laugh about everything you did (mostly what you did wrong, like that outfit!) Just remember that everyone was a freshman at one point and soon enough you’ll be making fun of the new freshman coming in.
Shoutout to everyone in my life who's helped make my freshman year amazing; I'll never forget it!
