College is what you make it. This is probably the truest statement I could possibly come up with regarding anyone's college experience. If you want to stay out all night, that's totally fine and can be done. If you want to go to sleep at 9 p.m. or spend your whole day watching Netflix, you go for it. If you want to be involved up to your ears in clubs and organizations or if you want to step back for a year and not have any commitments- both are great options- it's totally up to you. You should never, especially as you begin college, feel like you're stuck in some role you don't want or you can only do what people expect of you. See an internship that strikes your fancy? Apply for it. See a club that looks cool? Go to a meeting. See people you think you'd get along with? Talk to them. This is your time to start fresh, you do you.
Do the things you love. This is the best advice I could give to any incoming freshman.You aren't preparing for college applications anymore. Don't waste your time with things you think "would look good." I understand there is still a fair amount of pressure to build your resume and it feels like the resume has just taken place of the college application, but that couldn't be farther from the truth. There are SO many clubs and opportunities for internships, volunteering, and leadership, that you can build your resume while doing things you're truly passionate about. Remember you're actually building yourself as a person, not as an "ideal candidate" anymore. Just because you may not find those things the first month of school doesn't mean they aren't there. Wait for the clubs and jobs that you're going to want to go to meetings for and will love to do, and when it comes to your resume and interviews, it will pay off to be able to explain the work you did in college that you were passionate about. Let your interests guide you and the rest will follow.
Don't over do it. This is where I went wrong my freshman year. I jumped in with two feet and realized what I was capable of a lot (good thing) and started doing everything I could (not such a good thing). I got two jobs and joined a bunch of clubs, and then later there were things that I may have rather done and was more passionate about that I couldn't fit into my schedule because I had packed it so tight from the beginning. Even though it can be hard, remember that just because you can, doesn't mean you should. College is a time to learn and grow and make amazing friends, and running from one thing to the next can make enjoying this time a lot more difficult.
Don't sweat the small stuff. There are so many different things to join when you get to school, don't be upset if you don't get into the clubs you wanted or don't get that leadership position you think would be really fun. Don't worry about that stuff, it happens to everyone around you and worst case -- you can apply again next year. Don't lose it if you get a few bad grades; you're a human, you can try again next time, and trust me there will be plenty of opportunities to redeem yourself. Grades are grades, they're important but they aren't the end all be all. I know especially at a school like Tech it's hard to remember that, but your personality will shine through a few bad grades in the long run so it's alright to just let it go. Killing yourself over something that's already happened is no way to improve.
You’re going to make great friends, don't stress about it. My freshman year I lived on the opposite side of campus as pretty much all of my friends and as a freshman when you're trying to make those bonds with people, that made it pretty difficult. Whether that happens to you or not, make every effort to crash in your friends dorms, or always walk with them to the dining hall, or get ready together before all of your events. Everyone is trying to make new friends so even if you feel excluded or like everyone else is making their best friends without you -- go for it anyway, most likely that’s not the case. Ask to walk to class with them or sit down by them at lunch, it will pay off to get to meet new people and they may end up being one of your close friends by the end of the semester.
That being said, don't freak out if you don't make best friends right away. If a month into school you're still only surface level friends with a lot of people that's seriously okay. It will happen. Some people make their best friends in college on the first day of school and it takes longer for other people; it took me a while too. Don't lose hope or feel like it won't happen. Give it time, not everyone is making friends without you and there's a good chance other people have been wanting to get to know you better too! The best way to make those connections is just making yourself available. Make study groups, go to lunch with everyone, go to every event, and just be around people like you. By my second semester I would just text my friends across campus and say, "Hey! I'm coming to your room to get ready for the mixer!" which would ALWAYS be met with an excited response. Just trust that other people want to make friends with you as much as you're looking to be friends with them.
Get to know students that are older than you. I know the most valuable advice and some of my best friendships of my freshman year stemmed from talking to the older girls in my sorority. They've been where you are, and whatever struggle or dilemma, big or small, even if you haven't had it yet, they know how it goes. They want to help you and are a great source of friendship and advice.
Don’t forget that you’re supposed to be where you are. College is a big place and freshman year is amazing, but it can be a hard adjustment sometimes. All of a sudden you’re surrounded by amazing people that are just as smart and dedicated as you. A place like Georgia Tech is filled with motivated, determined, and successful students that are always involved in amazing projects. This is definitely one of my favorite things about my school, but it can also make you feel like you might not measure up to everyone around you. That’s definitely not the case -- everyone was accepted for a reason and you have just as much of an opportunity as everyone else to do awesome things during your time in school. Never feel like that isn’t the case.
Freshman year of college is something you'll remember for the rest of your life, and a year that will be held near and dear to you for the rest of your college career. Treasure it and make the most of it, Class of 2019! Everyone is so excited to have you!
