1.Manage your time
This seems like a simple task but it can get hard when you’re in a new place with a new schedule and new activities. Schedule a workout plan or a get a job even if you don’t need to just so you have something other than class to schedule time around. Too much free time isn’t necessarily bad, it just makes it hard to know when you should be studying and when you should be having fun. A lot of students have multiple hours between class or end class at 11am; head to the library after or if you go to your room, do laundry. Use the time you have during the day; the urge is definitely to go to the dining hall, or go back to your room and take a nap but try to be productive. Doing more work during the day will leave more time for fun at night.
2.Keep track of your money by downloading Tilt
Tilt is the only money app you need. If you go out to dinner with a group of friends one person can pay and then everyone can contribute to the ‘tilt’. It’s crowd-funding made easy and can be used for anything like dinner with friends, selling shirts for a campus group, or collecting money for charity. Over the summer Tilt rolled out a new Venmo-like feature so you can also send/request money from friends for smaller, everyday things like coffee or pizza. Everyone uses it so do yourself a favor and just get it now.
3.Get involved in extracurriculars
Your extracurriculars (i.e. clubs, sports, and organizations) should cover three aspects: something that makes you happy, something that helps others, and something that advances your career. You could accomplish all three in one club or do three different things, it doesn’t matter. For example, something that makes me happy is being in my sorority (which could also be filed under helping others because of philanthropy), something that helps others is doing husky-for-a-day when I show prospective students what UConn is all about, and something that helps further my career is writing for the Odyssey. Maybe you can be an assistant with the physical trainer on campus so it makes you happy, you help others, and it helps your future. I don’t really care just try somethigng!
4. Leave your door open
I mean this in the sense of a physical and metaphorical door. Leave your physical bedroom door open, especially in the first few days if you’re just organizing your room or hanging out. It’s a really good way to meet people in your building. Some people like to be the first one to say “hi”; if you aren’t that person by leaving your door open it leaves the opportunity for someone else to break the ice. Also, leave your metaphorical door open (i.e. be open-minded and try new things). This always sounds so vague but it can be applied to anything. Go to your school’s involvement fair just to find out about clubs. Are you usually quite? Talk to the person sitting next to you in lecture. Freshman year is confusing and new and crazy but you will literally never know until you try.
5. Make a time to call your parents once a week.
It’s okay to want to get away from home but call your family to tell them if you like your classes or if you’re having a hard time it will make both parties feel better. If you keep them in the loop they’re less likely to bother you and more likely to help you if you have any problems.
6.School really needs to come first
Even if you aren’t paying for college, odds are your parents are or you’re taking loans (i.e. going to be in debt). It’s not worth skipping two classes a day or going out the night before a test. If you oversleep one time don’t cry about it just try to the get notes from class. You can go out during the week but NOT before a test and maybe don’t get blackout drunk and come home at 3am. Ultimately education is why you’re there so go forth and learn.
7. Go out if you want to
Going out is highly suggested. I’m definitely not encouraging under-age drinking or substance abuse but going out doesn’t have to mean that. If you go out with friends try to mingle and meet new people; there are SO many interesting people at college! Conversely, if your friends are trying to force you to go out you don’t have to, do what’s comfortable for you.
8. Stay in if you want to
Obviously this sounds contradictory but there is something healing about staying in and watching a movie either by yourself or with friends. Just because you aren’t going out one weekend doesn’t mean you have to study the whole time. If you’ve gotten a lot of work done then order a pizza (again, by yourself or with friends) and and watch all your favorite movies.
9. Understand everyone’s differences
If someone thinks it’s weird that you want to join a foreign language club then they aren’t cool. Everything at university isn’t for everyone; not everyone likes greek life, or intramural sports, or cultural clubs. This is what college is about. There’s so many different people. Do what you want and let others do what they want. Share ideas and experiences.
10. Don’t be afraid of change
You will change so much at university; I changed more in one year at college than four years of high school. You worked hard and got into college and now you’ve taken the step to move away from home (no matter how far) which is already a huge change. You might not change much but when things happen don’t be afraid to deal with it; you can do it.
Freshman year is undoubtedly the weirdest, craziest, and best experience many young people will have. Try to embrace every moment.
