Dear Freshmen,
As you start your new and exciting college life, allow me, a college senior, to impart some advice on to you to make the adjustment a bit easier. It wasn't quite easy for me to adjust to life on my own hours away from home with only the infamous college food to keep me company. I had to make new friends and build connections over all my years in college. The connections never stop. You think you're done meeting new people and here comes another face and another name for you to remember. Even though you may not remember the names at first, try to hang out with them and get to know them more.
College is also regarded by some to be that time to find that special someone. If you find that person who you really like to spend time with and makes your day that much more bearable, then don't be afraid to go for it. You may have just one boyfriend/girlfriend in you college career or you may have several, however, avoid several at the same time. That has the potential to be a bit messy.
Also, be sure to go to classes, especially eight am's! I know they're boring and not that fun. Your Gen Ed courses sound like the worst thing ever but trust me, they're there to make you an all around better person. You major classes are of course important. Don't think that because a professor doesn't check attendance that it gives you a free pass to just skip days. If they have a certain amount that you can skp, make sure to plan them out for emergencies and possible sick days. Again, don't just not go to class because you don't want to go. You're paying for that class, why not take full advantage of it and attend.
Next, join clubs and organizations, maybe even go Greek! Clubs and organizations give you a great ability to connect to other students of similar interests and network for the future. They also plan engaging and exciting events to get you engaged with the community. A lot of these clubs, you don't have to join to be a part of the events of course, however, if one strikes your fancy then go ahead and join!
Finally, go out of your comfort zone. College is a time to find yourself and to, in a way, reinvent yourself. Don't be afraid to talk to people and to try new things. College can be its own little world filled with adventure and fun. It's a place where you can express and try new ideas to see what best suits your ideals. Take classes that you normally wouldn't take and talk to people who you normally don't talk to. You're going to be there for four years, why not make the best of it to its fullest?
