Freshman year can be a scary thing. It seems like a long trail of boxes to check off of your to-do list; between buying the bedding, the books and the beyond... on top of making friends, doing your homework, and of course, calling mom. It's all overwhelming, but frankly, we make it that way. Freshman year is studded with expectations, brought on by social media, TV shows and our own beliefs. We all know about the friends, the parties, the dreams and the aspirations... But, what we don't hear enough about are the disappointments, the regrets and the workload. Let's make some room for unpopular facts no one tells us about our first year in college.
(Disclaimer: I am still trying to master these myself... We're in this together, Class of 2020!)
1. You SHOULD Spend Time Alone
It is OK to be alone! Find ways snatch a little you time, whether it be on your walk to class, a meal or studying in the library. Even five minutes alone will make time with people seem less exhausting.
2. Be NATURAL! No Fake Interactions Needed.
You're not going to make your best friends on the first day of classes, so stop looking for them. Be natural: chat with your neighbor, find common ground, be friendly and smile at everyone! (Everyone loves a smile down the harsh sea of Comm Ave). But, don't fake interaction. You will not enjoy spending the night with a group of people you share nothing in common with, so save yourself the misery.
3. Try to ELEVATE Talk
It's ok to hate small talk, because I totally do too (and pretty much everyone). It's OK to talk about the weather, your dog, and your classes, but if the interaction can't get past idle chat, it's also okay to bring up more relevant converation! People love to get deep.
4. Make Safety your Priority
You don't have to go to every frat party, drink alcohol or meet a guy to have a successful college experience. But, if you do choose to frequent a party, you must practice safety in order to have a successful college experience. And it's OK to make that the priority; real friends will support you.
5. Call your Mom
Seriously. Call her. No one tells you that you'll miss her.. But you will.
6. Rejection is Cool
Getting rejected is OK, too. Believe it or not, you have 4 more years to experiment with clubs, teams and friend groups.
7. Embrace the Confusion
You will change your mind about everything, maybe once or twice... Maybe endlessly. Whether it be about friends, your choice of dining hall, your major, your classes... your freshman year is all about confusion, so embrace it!
8. ASK ASK ASK!
Your academic advisors don't always have the right answers, neither do your professors or that really nice librarian on the first floor. It's OK to ask for help from everyone! Don't feel judged, they were once scared little freshmen trying to navigate Bay State, too.
9. Embarrass Yourself
Take risks. You'll regret it when your kids ask you about your college years and you have no cringe-worthy stories to base smart lessons off of.
10. Make YOU Happy First
Netflix & Chilling alone with a Basho bowl and your lights off is totally cool, too. Find what makes YOU happy... Then do it. #YOLO
11. Let it Happen!
Finally... This does NOT have to be the best four years of your life. Think of the big picture, ladies and gentle-terriers. We have another 60+ years ahead of us, so don't put the pressure of "Oh my God this has to be the best four years of my life" on your college experience. Let it happen. Put yourself first, and the rest will fall into place.
