The first few weeks of freshman year are daunting, so here are a few helpful hints to get you through the whole year.
1. Attend your classes
This may seem like an obvious one, but I can assure you that you will eventually want to skip class to go so something else. When you go to class, you will understand the material covered in class, and it will benefit you because when the tests come around you will be able to get a good grade on it. Also, college classes are very expensive, so why pay for a class if you are not even going to go to it? Whether the class is at 8 in the morning or 8 at night, I recommend that you attend it; it will honestly make a huge difference in the end.
2. Do your homework
Once again this seems like a no-brainer, but I guarantee that you will decide to go out with friends one night and forget that you had an assignment due for the next day. It is in your best interest to do the homework as soon as you can so that you can get it out of the way and you won't have to worry about forgetting about it. Your homework will also give you a better understanding of the material that you are going over in class, which will make your life 10 times easier.
3. Avoid the fear of missing out (FOMO)
You don't have to go to every "Thirsty Thursday" or every party. This really comes into play later on in the semester when you have midterms and finals. If it is a Thursday night and you have an exam at 8 the next morning, don't feel pressured or obligated to go out with your friends. Focus on your education; I mean, the whole reason you are attending college is to further your education.
4. Get to know people
College is the time when you get to escape your home and parents and go out, meet new people and try new things. Do not be that person that stays in their dorm all day until they have classes. Get out and go meet new people, get involved and more importantly, enjoy your time on campus while you have it.
5. Stay organized
It is very easy to just throw a paper into a random folder and throw it in your bag. But I recommend getting an organizational method that works for you. You never know when you need to pull out that syllabus from week one to check a deadline or find out when the next exam is. Also, staying organized will make your college experience so much better because you won't have to stress and worry about when everything is due because you will already know and will have it written down somewhere.
