Freshman year is hard enough as it is, but starting out not knowing a single person, in a very unfamiliar place, made it that much more difficult. So for all of the incoming freshman this year, or my fellow first-years, here is what is to be learned in college.
Friends will come easier than you think
It may take time to find your best friend, it definitely took me time to find mine, but don’t be so afraid of making new friends. Everyone is up to talk and be friendly, and if they aren’t then it is nothing wrong with you. I consider myself an outgoing person, but you won’t immediately find/realize you have found your best friend for a while possibly. Don’t be discouraged though, just try and meet as many people as you can and everything will go smoothly.
Keep track of your money.
It is very hard sometimes to keep track of how much you have spent, but it is crucial that you try to. If not, you will look at your bank account at the end of the semester and realize just how empty it is and possibly start to panic, and that is never fun.
Don’t take classes as a joke.
A class may seem easy, but then nip you in the butt at the very end. For this reason, don’t push off a class consistently, because it can be hard to come back from when the class gets harder. And definitely, do not, skip too much class. One or two here or there is understandable, but actually being in the class does help you learn.
You will miss your old friends, a lot.
Sometimes I still have to call up my best friend from where I moved from, to either vent about something stupid that happened, or just to talk. If you have a good friend (or a few) from back home it may be hard to not see them all of the time. I sure know that sometimes I would only want to be back in AP Lit class with my friends Rianne, Katie, and Nathaniel, or driving around with my homie Holden listening to classic rock, or gushing over online clothing sales with my bestie Rianne, but you can’t let it interfere too much with your life. Yes, it hurts, especially if you go far away. But if they are your real friends, they will miss you too, and they will be there waiting for you when you come to visit.
Be very open to experiences.
It may be hard for you to talk to someone in anthropology class. It may be hard for you to see the appeal in going to parties. But you should at least try it out, just once. It is an experience worth having and if it is not enjoyable then there is no need to continue. However, you may meet some great people talking to random people about how hot it is (or how windy here at UConn). Try clubs, activities, finding a job, I have met some great people that way.
For you animal lovers out there, FaceTime is a great thing.
I love my dogs more than I can even begin to describe, and sometimes the most comforting thing was just getting a photo from my mom or dad of them, or FaceTiming and seeing their very confused faces. They are honestly the best stress relievers as well, so if you love animals definitely utilize your school’s pet stress program. I have heard of multiple schools, including UConn, who have a finals week pet stress programs. It can help with the pain of missing your furry (or not furry) family members, and give you a well-earned study break.
Utilize the library.
I used to think the library wasn’t my thing, but once you find your perfect spot in the library you can study for hours with keen focus. It took some time to do this however, so test it out and see how much noise you are comfortable with. Studying can be hard to do in your room with all of the distractions, so find your study spot and stick to it as often as possible.
Don’t give up, but don’t lose your sanity.
I am one of those people who rarely gives up until I understand something or feel I remember every little detail of my material, but sometimes (finals week) it drove me to dangerous levels of sleep deprivation and stress. The moral of my story, is that don’t just give up on studying when it gets too hard, but don’t push yourself to the point where all you are doing is stressing out. I still do this of course, but I have gotten better, and with the help of my friends I will continue to.
Don’t change for anyone.
It may be tempting to meld into a friend group, to change how you dress to fit in, but that is not what college is about. College isn’t meant to have you change yourself to fit an “average college student” image. College is about finding yourself, and of course if that includes trying out new things you should go for it. But if yourself isn’t high-heeled or salmon colored shorts wearing, then don’t feel the need to change. You will find the people perfect for you in time
Check your e-mail.
This is pretty basic, but it is very important. Check your email religiously in college, it will keep you from going to a class that is cancelled, or remind you when you have an assignment due.
Most importantly, don’t forget to keep it balanced.
It is very difficult sometimes, especially your first year, to keep schoolwork, friends, and activities balanced. But it is important not to do too much of one thing, and also to find time for yourself. You don’t need to be constantly doing something, and that may seem odd to say, but make sure you have at least a little time to unwind each day. It will work wonders.
