College is a place where you can discover who you are, what you want to be and things you may have never known about yourself. However, this might be intimidating to some who don't know what to expect. If you're like I was when I was a freshman, if you're nervous, anxious, excited and scared all at the same time, then here are a few tips to help make the college transition that much smoother and more enjoyable.
1. Talk to people
You never know who you might meet and when you might meet them.Talking to people is one of the easiest things you can do. Whether it's your professors, someone who works at the cafe or a classmate, talking to people is something that you can do every day and it will make things interesting for you.
2. Only pack the necessities
If your first dorm room is going to be like mine was in my first year, you probably won't have much room to work with. Chances are that your things will add up over time and cause clutter around the room, so you don't have to pack the entire wardrobe. You'll thank yourself when you've got room to walk, and your roommate will too.
3. Explore your interests
I was always someone who wanted to write and do things like journalism and yearbook, so at our activities fair, I looked for those tables. Find your interests in some of the clubs that your campus has to offer, but don't limit yourself. It could be good to get out of your comfort zone and try something different.
4. Don't let senioritis carry over
Almost every high school senior gets a case of "senioritis" at some point during their senior year, but college is a fresh start. Leave those slacker thoughts behind and work your tail off in the classroom. Starting with a good GPA is a great way to stay motivated and to aim higher and higher each new semester.
5. GPA isn't everything
I know I just said that starting with a good GPA is important, but it isn't everything. Make friends, hang out with different people and just enjoy the college experience. College is a place to make memories and enjoy yourself. It's hard to make good memories when you're sitting in your room 24/7, so go out and explore what college has to offer.
6. Remember your roots
Meeting new people can be exciting and interesting, but don't forget where you came from. Don't throw away all of the teachers and friends that helped you through elementary, middle school and high school. They were some of your building blocks to where you are today, so keep a special place for them in your heart.
