Going in to college is extremely stressful and scary and exciting all at once. Whether it's your freshman year or you're transferring to a new school, you still don't know how everything is going to work out. Everything you have grown to know is about to change completely. Here are some tips to make your upcoming year of college a great one!
1. Don't change who you are.
Being yourself is extremely important when starting in a new place. It's silly to change your whole personality to fit in with the crowd. Your friends might change throughout the year as you find more things that interest you, and that's totally normal! There is always someone who is like you. It's true that starting the next chapter of your life is hard, but everyone experiences college differently. Try not to mold your experience off of how everyone around you is doing. If you spend your whole life making yourself someone you're not, you're going to miss out on the great things this life has to offer. With that being said...
2. Get involved.
I can't stress this enough. As I finished my freshman year, I was kicking myself that I didn't get involved and make new friends. There are tons of activities and events going on anywhere you go; you just have to keep your eyes out for them. Also, make sure you take advantage of free things on and around campus. Free is a college student's favorite word. Lastly, although it is great to get involved, don't overdo it. You know your own limits, and if you're in a situation that you don't feel comfortable in, then you won't enjoy it.
3. Make your dorm your home away from home.
Try to keep your dorm semi-clean. If your living area is trashed all the time, it could potentially lead to more stress. If you have a messy roommate, or a roommate that you have an issue with, sort the problem out right away! I highly recommend stocking up on comfort foods that can be made in a microwave, because everyone knows dining hall food is a 50/50 chance of being considered edible. Also, make sure your dorm is comfortable. Personalize your room as much as you are allowed to, because you're going to spend a lot of time there.
4. Don't forget about your actual home.
Being away from almost everyone you know is really weird at first. You're going to be wondering what to do on your first Friday at school without your best friends from home, and how to manage your first Sunday without a family meal. It's inevitable that you will miss these things. However, stay in touch with your friends and be sure to call home at least once a week for the first month or so. As much as you miss them, they are probably missing you, too. Everyone who goes away understands what it feels like to be homesick. However, try really hard not to go home within the first three or four weeks of school. Going home that soon will make it that much harder for you to adjust to life away from home, and it will take you longer to get used to being away. Skype and FaceTime will become your greatest advantages while you're away, and it will help ease your worries knowing you can talk to someone familiar.
5. Balance your time.
As you go throughout your first year, you'll learn what requires the most attention and time from you, and what things don't require as much. You get a lot of free time in college, much more than you were probably used to in high school. Of course you get to decide what you do with that time, but if you have a huge paper due in two days, and you haven't even looked at the prompt, you're going to want to scream at yourself. You should have fun and be social, but be sure to leave time for your schoolwork. Netflix or nap time will still be there when you finish studying or doing your homework for that class that counts for pretty much all of your major. The workload is not usually too unbearable at first, depending on your major, but it will likely be more work than you were used to before.
6. Don't be afraid to ask for help.
There are always resources and places for students to go with any issue they are having. Your peers are a valuable resource because odds are there is someone feeling the same way you feel. In addition to the Resident Assistants, Resistance Directors, Assistant Resident Coordinators, etc. there is often counseling centers and administrators who are willing to help too. Go to your professors' office hours. This is really important because they will be able to help you understand material better, but they will also get to pick your face out of a crowded lecture hall. This could make it easier to get an improved grade because they see you made an effort to clarify the material.
It's OK to be stressed and scared and freaked out, but don't forget to be excited too! The next chapter of your life can be a wonderful step in the right direction, as long as you remember to be true to yourself and what makes you happy. You are fantastic, and I wish you all the best, Reader.
