School is starting back soon, which means that its time to really soak up those last few moments of summer break before us students have to (unwillingly) return to reality. I myself will be entering my sophomore year at Lindsey Wilson College, and that, along with studying lines for a play as well as preparing to direct a Christmas play at my town’s infamous “Star Theater”, I know that I will be one stressed girl. But if you want the honest truth, that isn’t nearly as much stress as a college freshman endures when preparing for their first year of their higher education. Whether it be moving in, juggling sports with academics, finding friends, or just trying to keep your grades up and adjust to your new lifestyle at the same time, a college student’s lifestyle is frantically turned upside down and shaken during their freshman year. I know; the same thing happened to me last year, but I survived-with a whole patch of grey hairs on my head to show for it. I want to share some tips and pieces of advice that’ll get any college freshman through even the weakest of days.
1. Try Your Best, But DON’T Put Yourself Down.
I know, I know… everyone wants to make a good impression and start with a squeaky-clean slate when they enter college. They want to start over with new friends, new opportunities, and maybe with better grades in their classes than they had when they were in college. And I can’t blame them; it is important to make pretty good grades, and it never hurts to be able to make friends and acquaintances with not only other students, but with professors and staff as well. But I also know how difficult it can be to make perfect grades or to meet new people during freshman year; you are so focused and stressed on adjusting your life to your college that it’s hard to juggle everything at once. And hey — that’s OK! No one expects you to be able to automatically change from one lifestyle to another without taking some time, and no one expects you to be able to pop off A-plusses on every single assignment that you get. If you are able to do that, then hey-all the more power to you. But if not, please know that you aren’t alone when you begin to find yourself feeling overwhelmed when you have what feels like 495 homework assignments due in the same week, or if you aren’t ‘fitting in’ right away, or if maybe that grade that you got on your test wasn’t exactly what you wanted. Don’t beat yourself up about it; there’s not a single person on this earth who is perfect, and no one expects you to be. Eventually, of course, you’ll want to make good enough grades to pass your classes, and an A is always a nice goal to achieve. But even if you don’t pass with the grade that you wanted in the end, as long as you tried your hardest and gave it everything that you had, you’ll still come out on top. Always try your best in everything that you do in college, because in reality, that’s all that you can do.
2. Ask For Help When You Need It.
Trying your best is of the utmost importance when in college; there’s no doubt about that. But one thing that you also need to remember as an incoming college freshman is that it’s ok to ask for help. In fact, you will be surprised to find that most professors love it when their students come to them with questions or for help with their class material; it shows to them that you really do care about what they are trying to teach. And most college students that you run into on your campus would also be happy to help you in any way that they possibly can, and if they can’t help you, they’ll lead you to someone who can. All you have to do is simply ask! The thing with getting help in college classes is that while it is possible, and even encouraged to get help, YOU have to take the initiative on yourself to ask for it and to take it into account. If you are struggling with something in class, it’s your job to come to your professor and ask for help on the topic, and it’s your job to follow through and do what they tell you to do, or listen to what they say. I had to learn that the hard way, and I think that most high schools today have a hard time making their students get used to that method, and that’s why most students struggle when they first get to college; they aren’t used to having to actually take responsibility for getting the help that they need. After all, how are you going to get help if you don’t ask for it?
3. Don’t Worry About "The Freshmen 15."
One of the most popular myths that exists today about college freshman is that they will undoubtedly gain the horrible ‘freshmen 15’ before the school year is over, and I’m here to tell you that that myth is exactly what it is — a myth. In fact, instead of stressing over eating, why not enjoy all the delicious delicacies that your school has to offer? If they have a wonderful, sent-straight-from-heaven dining center like Lindsey Wilson College does, I know it must be good!
4. Memorize Where Your Classes Are And Print A Copy Of Your Schedule To Carry Around.
You WILL need it, especially during the first week or so. Also, make it a point to figure out where all of your classes will be (buildings, room numbers, etc.) and memorize them. You can make your own route by walking to each class before classes officially start, to practice for the real thing.
5. Remember That You Are A Wonderful Person.
It’s a cruel, mean world out there, and college can sometimes be a person’s first taste of how bad the world can be at times; I know it was for me. I just want you guys to remember that, in the words of Aibileen Clark, the main character of the book and movie, “The Help”, “You is kind, you is smart, you is important.” I know that we tend to get down on ourselves a lot, especially when we don’t match up to who we see everyone else being. But let me tell you somethings; neither grades, other people, our flaws, or our own self-doubts define who we are. We are all wonderful people, in our own little way. If nothing else from this article, I hope you remember that you are a wonderful blessing who will bring light and joy to whatever college you plan on going to.
