As my freshman year at Northwest Missouri State starts to come to an end, there are so many things that I learned and experienced that will change the rest of my college career. Some are funny and some are serious. Everyone knows going into your first year of college is terrifying, to say the least. Starting college is...weird because for the past 12 years you have done the same routine at the end of every summer.
It all starts with going to back to school night or orientation, getting your school picture taken and picking up your schedule for the school year. Then you go to Target or Walmart and get all new school supplies; mechanical pencils, spiral notebooks for each class and unlimited amounts of gum that you still end up finishing in like the first 3 weeks of school...sorry mom and dad. Then we get up, get all cute for the first day and then do the same thing over and over again until you just don't care anymore and start coming to school looking homeless.
But then somewhere between graduation and the end of summer after your senior year, instead of doing the same thing like before it's now totally different. We have to start packing our clothes and buying things for our dorms. Everything changes and we aren't really sure how to adjust to it, or, at least, I was not doing a good job at the adjustment. Freshman year of college is hard because you have to figure out what to do and where to go, what to wear and what not to wear. And if you don't go to school with friends you already have then it's up to you to make new ones which can be pretty scary.
To sum it up, you literally have no idea what you are getting yourself into or if you will even like it at the school of your choice. Safe to say I guess I got pretty lucky when it came to picking Northwest to be my school for the next 4 years. So here are some things I have learned and experienced as a freshman:
1. It Is Okay To Miss Your Parents
I feel like we all think we will be fine without them, but we all end up missing our parents the most. Our parents have been our backbones for so long and then one day they ship us off to college to fend for ourselves. It is totally okay to miss your parents, and the things they did for you. They sure do miss you. Don't be ashamed, embrace the love you have for your parents!
2. The Union Will Get Old
No matter what you think, the food in the cafeteria will get old and you will become sick of it. At first, it's heaven, a buffet of so many different options and types of food, how could anyone get sick of this? Ha, until you are eating that cheese quesadilla for the 4th time this week. The choices get boring, and everything seems to stop sounding good. I have become a huge fan of Easy Mac and bagels in my room. That being said, let's move on to #3.
3. Cherish your meal exchange
GOD BLESS THE MEAL EXCHANGE! For those who don't know ,a meal exchange is when you can get a meal at any of the on-campus restaurants once a week for free. Yes, I said free all you broke college students (me included). Sometimes when I go a week without using my meal exchange my heart breaks a little because I just passed up a free freaking meal from Chick-Fil-A and am now stuck eating the same old Union food. Therefore, if you go to a school who blesses the students with the meal exchange, don't let it go to waste my friends.
4. College Really Does Change People
Going to college with or without your friends is hard. All I have to say is if you go to school with some of your friends DO NOT FORGET ABOUT THEM. They have probably been there for you since day 1, so don't just throw them on the back burner. Of course, you should make new friends because who doesn't love meeting new people? But don't get your mind wrapped with your super cool new friends and forget your old friends. Because when you decide you want to pull them off the shelf and dust them off, they may not be there anymore. Keep em' all close.
5. Skipping Class Is Okay, Sometimes
If you are the person that skips class every day because you are tired, I hate you. I am a very sleepy person, yet somehow I still go to class so you can too. If you skip class a lot, do not ask me what we did or if we have homework every single time because I am not responsible for your grade. So show up if you want to know what we did. That being said, if there's a day where you know you won't miss much and you need to study for your test in another class or just have other things going on, skipping once or twice won't hurt you.
6. Do Not Wear Your Nice Shoes to Frat Houses
Save those super cute sandals or wedges for something less messy. DO NOT wear them to the basement of a frat house because those babies will be covered in a 1-inch deep mixture of 'who knows what' on the basement floors. And possibly some bleach too because they bleach the floors like it's their jobs.Try to have a pair of frat shoes, ones that you can get dirty and not have a heart attack over. It makes things less stressful. Unless you couldn't care less about your shoes, then by all means wear them wherever you please!
7. If The Football Team Is Good, Go To The Games
Thankfully, Northwest Missouri State has a pretty kickass football team. National Champions not to brag or anything. The atmosphere at home football games is amazing! People are surrounding the field to watch the game and cheer on the Bearcats. It is something you do not want to miss. Rain or shine it's a great time to watch your college football team put in some work.
8. Check Your Emails and Get A Planner
Professors and campus organizations use email to communicate more than you know. If you don't check your email for 1 day, the next time you check it you already missed an extra credit opportunity, a canceled class that you walked all the way across campus for and a homework reminder that you already forgot about. Having a planner is essential, it can make your life 20x easier when trying to become organized. (I mean I may or may not get excited to plan my month out in my planner...) Having a planner to write down your tests and quizzes gives you lots of extra preparation. It also makes it easier to plan your trips to go home for the weekend.
9. Homecoming Is Legit
If you didn't participate in homecoming at your high school, prepare yourself. Homecoming is the real deal in college. There is a parade with floats, dances, candy and everything more. Everyone is involved in this one special weekend. You are either all in or all out. Take homecoming seriously and don't mess around when it comes to pomping for your float. When it comes down to it, homecoming is one of the best weekends of the school year. Everyone's effort really shows and it brings the entire student body and community together to celebrate. Don't ever skip a homecoming weekend, you will regret it!
10. College Really Is The Best Time Of Your Life
College isn't for everyone, but if you are one that enjoys it, don't stop. Enjoy every second of college. Meet so many new people that you'll love forever, join a sorority or fraternity and get yourself a sisterhood or brotherhood. Major in something you want to do for the rest of your life. Join your favorite club or start a club. Be on your own and make your own decisions (even if they aren't always great ones). Make so many memories that you will share with your kids later in life. College is your home away from home, so make sure you love it while you can.
Goodbye freshman year, thanks for teaching and showing me the do's and don'ts of college. Although I am still learning, you were the start of it all. You will forever be remembered. I cannot wait to see what the next 3 years holds for us, freshman.
