After finishing up my first year at college, I’ve had a chance to reflect on my experiences and really take in the memories that I made while I lived life as a freshman. I’ve realized so much about myself from my strengths and weaknesses, confidence and fears. The time I stepped foot on campus in the summer as a scared, intimidated girl doubting her ability to handle such a new environment seems like a complete universe away from where I am today. I’ve grown to develop lifelong friendships with complete strangers. I had the chance to delve into a new culture where people all around me were experiencing the same struggles and battles but dealing with them in completely different ways. I saw my core values remain strong, but my perspectives change. People came and went in and out of my life, but they each became a stepping stone in helping pave the way to allowing me to become the person I am today. Along the journey, I learned a few things that may be insightful for newcomers about to venture off into their first year at college.
1. It’s so easy to spend money. Food is one of the easiest ways to see this green stuff disappear. It can turn into a dangerously expensive black hole, so either find ways to resist or create a jar to save money away just for Chipotle runs.
2. Set low expectations for dining hall food—it’s never as good as it seems on new student days.
3. The friends you make the first few weeks of school may not be the friends you leave at the end of the year. This transition between first and second semester is completely healthy and normal. You do so much adjusting during the first year of school that it can be so easy to drift apart as you settle into things and discover your niche.
4. TV? No such thing when you’re juggling classes, stress, obligations, and a hectic social life. But it’s not as bad as it sounds—life is too busy and exciting to need it!
5. When you’re drowning in a sea of responsibilities, ice cream is always a good escape.
6. Your education is important. Getting a college degree is what you came to school for in the first place, so make the most out of your time and make studying a priority. As hard as it is to stay in on a Friday night doing homework, sometimes it’s inarguably necessary.
7. At the same time, being social and putting yourself out there is what college is all about. Live for the moment and enjoy this one time in your life where everything is up to you. Be responsible, but remind yourself to have a little fun while you’re at it!
8. People will be there for you. You may be surrounded by tons of other students who have no idea you even exist which can make you realize just how small you are in this world. But you have to remind yourself that you have friends who would give an arm and a leg for you, and those are the people you have to count on for support to keep you on the ground. Hold on to these people, because they won’t let go of you.
9. Sometimes people are disappointed in you, but that’s life. You live and you learn from your mistakes. You make an effort not to make them again. The feeling of guilt may threaten to consume you, but you have to accept your regrets and move on.
10. Go crazy with the amount of photos you take—the memories may fade one day, but at least you’ll have physical proof to remind you of the good ole days.
11. Laundry should not be on the Sunday checklist.
12. Living in dorms is actually a lot better than you’d think: having all your friends in one place to hang with at once is one of best things about being in college. The dirty bathrooms may not be a highlight, but living with friendly faces right down the hall and people to count on is.
13. College is the first time you get to dip into what the rest of your life looks like as an independent person. Take this freedom seriously and make responsible decisions.
14. Resetting your alarm three times before you wake up becomes the new snooze.
15. Take advantage of a free gym membership—it’s a resource that rarely comes free in life. The struggle to actually make it there might be a daunting feat, but in the long run it’s worth it.
16. Calling your parents every second of every day isn’t necessary. They need their space and so do you. Once you feel comfortable enough to stand on your own two feet, enjoy it, but remember not to leave them completely in the dust. Let them hear your voice every once in awhile because they still worry about you all the time.
17. Taking care of yourself should be on the top of your to-do list. It’s so easy to forget about our mental, physical, social, and emotional health, but if we let these slip, college becomes an even steeper mountain to scale. Check in on yourself and make sure you’re in a good place so you have room to succeed.
18. Freshman year is one of the best times in your life. New places, new faces, new challenges, new experiences. You get to see yourself grow, change, and evolve into someone who finally finds a place of belonging in the world, and this amazing opportunity for self-reflection is one of the best feelings in the world.
