So your freshman year is starting, and this probably all seems new to you. But you'll make it through, and you'll look back at all of this and give yourself the biggest pat on the back. You've made it this far, now it is time to trudge up that hill of freshman year with some advice from a former freshman. Trust me, I've been through this, and I know what I'm telling you.
If you are living on a dorm on campus, learn about what is around you. Familiarize yourself with people on your floor. Find people who are majoring in the same thing as you, or people taking some of the same classes you are taking. You can always go to each other for help and set up study groups for exams. You will thank yourself later, and perhaps make some really great friends. Learn about the different places around your dormitory, like the pizza shop that has specials down the block and the closest place to buy coffee and snacks during a late night study session.
If you are not living on campus, it is still important to get yourself involved and meet people. Find someone to talk to in lecture (this works, I promise). A lot of the people in your huge lecture hall are most likely going through the same thing you're going through, confused and trying to figure things out. It helps to have someone by your side, someone you can rant to about how ridiculous some assignments will be.
Join an organization you enjoy. This is another way to meet some lifelong friends. You'll meet other freshmen, as well as upperclassmen that have been in your shoes. They can offer you advice about whatever it may be. Plus, you'll get to be involved in something outside of coursework. Give yourself some time to enjoy yourself and the people around you.
Ask for help. I am still continuing to learn this, even after freshman year. It may be hard to ask for help when you find yourself struggling, but people are there and they want to help you. You will also thank yourself for doing this early. It'll save you stress and time. There are different centers on campus that offer help for certain subjects, visit your professor and/or teaching assistant's office hours, ask someone else in your class that seems to get it. Help is all around, you're just responsible for seeking it.
It's not always going to go as you'd like, and that's okay. This is probably one of the hardest things to face during your freshman year because something, at least one thing, is going to go wrong. Whether it be missing a deadline that slipped your mind, failing an exam, or even realizing how things have changed since you started college. Talk to someone about it, whether it be being honest with your professor, asking what you could do to bring your grade up, your roommate, a friend, an advisor, or the counseling services on campus. Remember you are not alone in this journey, someone is always there.
And just also remember, you're going to make it through. The school year will be over before you know it and you will come out a different person than when you came in. You'll live to tell your tale of freshman year. Best of luck.
