It’s that time of the year again. Kids are going back to school, including those starting their first year of college. After one year, I can officially say I survived my experience as a college freshman and am ready to share the wisdom I gathered. Everyone is nervous at the start but, in most cases, it does get better.
My first piece of advice is to always stay prepared. Not everything is going to go your way, but you can be prepared to handle almost any situation if you have everything in order. Make sure you know where your classes are, try to arrive early, don’t lose your book bag, etc. Little things can make you feel and work better in the long run.
Another thing I want to address is social life. Like I mentioned above, plenty of freshmen are nervous. You may think that making new friends is hard, but in reality it’s much easier than you would realize. Be yourself, be friendly, and be open to new experiences. At the same time, it’s easier to respond to peer pressure; it’s just another obstacle you can overcome if you surround yourself with positive influences.
Classwork is also something you should prepare yourself for. College is more independent for the average student, which means staying on top of class and homework is your responsibility. Don’t oversleep or slack in your studies or it will come back to haunt you. Try scheduling classes that fit your sleep schedule. It will leave you feeling a lot more confident when you know for sure that you can thrive in your classes.
Lastly, have fun. Your first year of college is a whole new experience and you should take your time to enjoy it while you can. Don’t be too serious. Do well enough in your classes but make time to participate in school activities and spend time with friends.
College is a whirlwind of emotions but with the motivation to work more independently, a great support system, and the ability to set aside stress and have a bit of fun, it can be the best years of your life.
