1. Will I make friends at Orientation? | The Odyssey Online
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Student Life

9 Thoughts Every Incoming Freshman is Having

Whether you knew you where you were going to college since birth, or since sometime in May, the prospect is still terrifying.

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9 Thoughts Every Incoming Freshman is Having
Olivia Hawkins

In This Article:

1. Will I make friends at Orientation?

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I came to orientation knowing no one, only vaguely recognizing people from Instagram. Maybe you were active in the GroupMe and had found some pals to hang out with there, or maybe your friends from home were there, too. But for me, I had to go around and awkwardly insert myself and introduce myself. If being marched around campus wasn't exhausting enough, the emotional toll that the awkwardness took definitely did the trick.

In reality, you'll probably make a whole new group of friends once you get on campus. It won't be hard to find your niche, and the awkwardness will subside after a while.

2. I hope my roommate isn't a weirdo.

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We've all heard the horror stories. Roommates that prefer to live in squalor, don't shower, and don't contribute can make tensions rise between roommates. Luckily, this is usually the minority. As long as you're honest about your habits and preferences and communicate, things should go swimmingly.

I got to meet my roommate before orientation. I was so nervous! We got along great over text and seemed to be pretty similar, but what if I hated her in real life?! Thankfully, my fears were unfounded and we got along great! I can't wait to tackle the beast of living together with her!

3. My 4.0 in high school will make college a breeze.

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Wrong. As much as you hated hearing your high school teachers say it, college is a totally different ballgame. People who slacked off in high school can get 4.0's and people with straight A's in high school can end up failing out. It's all about the work that you put into it.

Most professors are pretty flexible and are willing to give you some wiggle room. However, you have to show that you're making an effort and are committed to doing well.

4. The Freshman 15 is a myth.

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NOT A MYTH. When I first started living on a college campus, I gained fifteen pounds. This quickly turned into the Freshman 40.

It's easy to overeat because people are going to eat literally all the time. It also doesn't help that most of the campus food is really bad for you. It's a fragile balance, but if you watch what you eat, maybe you can stave off the pounds.

5. I can do this all by myself.

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As strong and as independent as you'll feel when finally being out in the real world, you'll need some help.

Whether this be family, friends, professors, or counselors, you need someone who will be there for you, whether you need help or just someone to talk to. College and living on your own are stressful at times and if you don't vent, you'll eventually feel like you're going to explode. Make sure you have a support system.

6. I can totally skip class. No attendance!

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We've all skipped classes before, that's a given. But it isn't exactly the smartest move in college. Some professors do, in fact, take attendance. Some even grade you on it! But even if your professor doesn't care about attendance, it's still smart to go. You're missing lecture time that you paid for, and potentially things that could be on exams.

7. I don't know what I want to do.

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You're not alone in this feeling of uncertainty. College is the first step to beginning your career and the rest of your life. Not only do you have to pick a major, but there are so many other things you can do that it can become overwhelming.

It's best to prioritize things that you really care about doing, not just for the resume boost. In addition, you should pick a major that you fall in love with. College gives you the opportunity to explore fields you may not have even known existed. Don't sweat the indecisiveness too much, everyone has it.

8. I can totally handle an 8 A.M. class.

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This one definitely doesn't apply to everyone.

I am a habitual night owl. Going to sleep at 1 in the morning is early for me. However, in high school, I woke up every morning at 5:30 to catch the bus, so I thought 7:30 was going to be a breeze. I can't express how wrong I was. I honestly question how I was able to function my last semester when I was forced to take an 8 a.m. physics course.

If you value your sanity and have the option, don't take the 8 a.m.

9. Studying probably won't even be that different than in high school.

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WRONG.

Unless you have a photographic memory and/or are a flat-out genius, you will definitely need to set out a defined time for nothing but studying. Blowing off a few assignments can dig a hole that you likely will not be able to dig yourself out of.

In addition, many people have trouble with good study habits. A good rule of thumb I've learned is to study the material to the point where you can teach it to someone else.

Good luck to all in their freshman years!

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
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