Many incoming freshmen don’t really know what they’re getting themselves into when they get accepted into college. To make up for their not knowing, they scour the Internet in hopes of finding tips on surviving their first year away from home. We’ve all met at least one over-zealous college freshman who took these suggestion tips too literally in their quest to model the perfect pupil. As a senior at university, I’ve lived the “college life” for long enough to tell you that there are some harsh realities that you can’t avoid, no matter how much prep you do for your first year.
1. You probably need to brush up on your Microsoft Office skills.
I know what you’re thinking: “I’ve been using Word and PowerPoint since elementary school. What else do I need to know?” I didn’t think I needed to review any of my Office skills either, but it’s likely that you’ll have multiple papers to write during your first year in college so a little practice can’t hurt. Microsoft Word isn’t the only application that you should review, however. Excel can become useful in calculating and keeping track of your grades. Also, as the years progress, I’ve noticed that I’ve had to give more and more presentations, requiring me to make use of PowerPoint and my old public speaking notes.
2. Don’t set high expectations for your roommate.
Most room assignments for freshmen are done randomly. This system has its pros and cons, but it’s likely that you have never shared a room with a stranger before. As a pro tip, don’t set your expectations too high for your roommate. There’s always the chance that you won’t really hit it off with your roommate and that’s OK. If it does work out, try not to brag about it! Some of us are struggling to get our roommates to clean up after themselves!
3. You’re away from your parents, but you’re not free.
College ≠ freedom. In fact, college is the exact opposite of freedom. Between assignment deadlines, scholarship contracts, and campus organizations, it can sometimes be hard to find a break. College is a lot of hard work. During your first year, it may be particularly difficult to juggle your studies with your social life, but you'll get the hang of it!
4. The cafeteria food might be a hit or miss.
College cafeterias tend to be far better than traditional high school cafeterias. There’s better variety, a happier staff, but is the food really better? Here at ULM, people flock to the lunch room for fried chicken on Wednesdays, but there are some days that the cafeteria is all but deserted. Truthfully, I think most of us are biased towards our mom’s cooking and anything else is inferior in comparison. There’s salt, pepper and Tony Chachere’s available if the food needs doctoring to taste like mom’s.
College is a time to learn who you are and what you like. Don’t be afraid to try new things and make new memories!
