It's that time of year once again when most of us have to leave the joys of summer and return to school life, and for many of us it's our first semester of college. As a freshman who just finished her second week of college, here are a few realizations I've had that you've probably had, too.
1. What do I do with all this free time?
College comes with a lot more free time and independence. For me personally this semester, I only have four days of classes a week and a three-day weekend. Plus, a lot of my classes are in the afternoon which means no more getting up early in the morning! A lot of us may be thinking, geez what do I do with all this free time? (other than the time needed for studying) Some suggestions I have would be to go to social events, get a part-time job, exercise, help out at local causes, or go adventure around your city to find things you never knew about before. Or, you can take a well-needed rest from daily life by staying in and watching Netflix. Regardless of your choice, it's ample time to create more time for yourself and discover the world around you.
You may want to go on a hike to replenish both your body and mind. (Palos Verdes, CA)
2. Coffee is my new best friend
Whether you happen to have early morning classes or late night classes, you'll need that daily dose of caffeine to make sure you stay awake during lectures. I've personally realized that my dependence on coffee to keep me going has gone up like crazy, but I feel like that's an inevitable thing in college. In fact, coffee isn't unhealthy at all, if you avoid the sugar. If you're not a fan of coffee though, there are alternatives like sugary drinks or caffeinated tea. That extra shot of espresso might help you to cram for your exam tomorrow.
Your dependence on coffee may lead to an obsession with local hipster coffee shops and taking pictures of that work of art. (Courtesy of Pixabay)
3. What's eating healthy?
For many students who have just started to live in the dorms or live on their own in an apartment, it means that you're completely on your own to decide what you want to eat or drink. If you're too lazy to cook, you might become more dependent on fast food (or cup noodle). If you're eating everyday in the dining hall, there's a chance you won't always be hitting the salad bar. Hopefully you can avoid that 'Freshman 15' by making healthier choices and being more conscious of what you're putting into your body.
Eating healthy doesn't mean just eating salads. (Courtesy of Pixabay)
4. Making friends!!
Chances are that many of us are at colleges where we know no one, which is the perfect opportunity to start new friendships and relationships apart from the ones you had in high school. Moral support is extremely important in this big transition from high school to college, so it never hurts to attend social events to meet more people. Making friends is a great way to start building connections for your future as well.
5. Walking is my exercise now
College campuses are usually acres upon acres of land, which entails a lot of walking between classes. If you're not into working out, walking can now be your new form of exercise. Investing in a bicycle to ride on campus might also be a good idea.
6. Time for a fresh start since no one knows me
Because you're starting fresh in a completely new place with new people, it's the most ideal time to change your habits for the better. Improve your people-skills and strive to make better lasting relations and connections. You can also start to pursue your true interests and passions that you didn't have the resources for in high school. College is a place of endless opportunities, so be sure to take advantage of that freedom.