Freshman year of college has come now come to a close, though I did many things right... I also did many things wrong.
There are so many experiences that I wish I could hit rewind on the remote of life and re-do. Though it's in the past now I have learned and grown. Here's a collective list of many things I did wrong; so if you are entering freshman year of college I hope you don't make the same mistakes I did. :)
1. GO TO OFFICE HOURS
I so regret not taking advantage of this. Professors get paid thousands of dollars to answer what you would think to be "stupid" or "dumb" questions. Up until about mid-March I was afraid to go to office hours thinking I would be judged by my professor for asking how to say "Where is the library?" in Spanish. They are there to help you to succeed and I wish I took advantage of this earlier in the year.
2. Don't go out 3 nights in a row. Just don't.
I had many weekends where I convinced myself I could go out Thursday-Saturday and still manage to get all my homework, studying, and other tasks done. You can't, unless you're super-human (and to those people I applaud you). You will find yourself in the library on a Sunday night until 11:30 PM trying to figure out the readings for your lecture the following morning.
3. Make time for yourself
It's okay to have alone time! Go to the gym alone! Take a walk alone! Do a face mask! Self-care is so important!!! I wish I prioritized myself more my freshman year (peep my last article if you want to learn more hehe)
4. Stop chasing people who don't reciprocate feelings
College was the first time I truly opened my heart to others (of the opposite gender mainly). I got caught up on a few and kept chasing for something that wasn't there. In the immediate moment I thought it was me and I was doing something wrong. But, looking back now it wasn't me. It was the lack of maturity on the opposing end. It is okay to be single freshman year and I just was searching for something that wasn't there. LOVE YOURSELF FIRST, is my main point.
5. Don't get the biggest dining plan there is.
Let's face it dining hall food is mediocre. Instead of getting a huge meal plan where by the end of the semester you'll have 124 meal swipes, opt for a smaller plan. Use the money you save and get healthy snacks and food to keep in your dorm mini fridge/freezer. It's better for your body and better for your own tastebuds.
6. Most importantly...No one is perfect
Like I said by making these mistakes I have learned and grown. Yes, everyone has nights where they go a little too hard or they have a test that bombs their GPA. It's okay though. I have only grown stronger from these occurrences, and truly know that the whole point of freshman year is to make these silly mistakes.
Sophomore year is a new chapter. A new place I get to live with my best friends (you know who you are). A new major. And most importantly, a new perspective.
But you will still catch me out on the town with my terrible dance moves (but not every Thursday before an 8AM on Fridays) ;) .
