Freshman year of college is a stressful time for everyone involved. For me especially, moving half way across the country was just the start to all of this. My older sister didn't go the normal university route when she decided on college so I never had anything to base my experience on going into school. There were so many things I learned last year that I wish I could have had a heads up on going into school, so here is a heads up from me with the eight things I wish I knew my freshman year:
1. Actually try in school
This may seem like common knowledge to a lot of people but if you're someone like me, I never had to try very hard in high school. I would go to class and go to practice and go home and never think about school until the next morning. Going into college and thinking that it would be the same way was my biggest mistake. Falling behind in class is really easy in college and it may seem like something that can easily be recovered from but that is a bad mindset to start your college educational experience with.
2. Connections from high school may not hold like you thought, and that's ok
After graduation you always tell your friends "we'll stay in touch" or "you'll come and visit me, right?", but sadly and honestly, those promises don't always hold true. I moved from Minnesota to Colorado in with same hopes: I would stay friends with everyone I went to high school with, my boyfriend and I can handle the long distance, and everyone will come and visit all the time. But that never happened for me. Relationships fall apart and that's fine. College is a huge step away from a lot of people's norms in life and it's a constant growing and learning experience, and learning to be ok with realizing that you may have only been so close because you were so close is ok. Relationships also take work, so if you are determined to keep things going, it's not as easy as it once was, and that's also ok. My boyfriend and I broke up for part of first semester because of this huge gap in knowledge about relationships and effect, but we made it work and now we're stronger than ever, so nothings impossible
3. You don't have to be best friends with your roommate
This is definitely an experience I can speak completely from the heart on. My freshman year roommate and I were random and knew nothing about each other going into the year. Our roommate relationship had a lot of ups and downs throughout the year until I realized, I don't have to be her best friend. We lived together perfectly well and nothing went completely wrong during that time. Once I realized I don't have to go out on the weekends with her, and we don't have to eat breakfast together every morning made living with her so much easier and I'm still lucky I had her as my roommate because she is the reason I found my wonderful home and sisters I have today.
4. You're going to want to call your family, a lot
This was one thing that I never thought would be an issue until I was a month into school and realized I haven't talked to my Nana and Papa since long before I left for school. I only got homesick a few things but I would always be texting my sister or on the phone with my mom walking home from class just to feel a little bit closer to them and to home. And it was always nice getting a voicemail from them after a long day or a hard exam and it was just my cat meowing.
5. Keep yourself healthy
I always thought the freshman 15 was a joke just to scare freshman that they'll get fat once they move away, but I soon learned that it was very try and hit very quickly. Eating all that dorm food can get to you really quickly and you get busy so making it to the gym isn't always the easiest. Try to bring a water bottle to class to keep yourself hydrated because you also won't need as much coffee as you think. Just remember to make time in your schedule to work out or do something active and maybe cool it on the seconds for dinner every once and a while. Also remember to take time for yourself. If you need a night off from heavy studying to watch a movie and eat pizza, do it, you'll be glad you did.
6. Don't be afraid to ask your parents for money
Learning to live on your own is hard and not fun to have to learn as you go. Your parents want to help you now more than ever. As my dad says, "we want you to mess up now so you don't make these mistakes later". That's always been something I've lived by and it's helped me a lot with getting through college a little less stress free. They also want to help you now more than ever, so let them.
7. Clean your sheets
This may seem like common knowledge but those things can get really gross really quickly so clean them every two weeks, and your comforter too.
8. Be yourself
This one also seems like common knowledge but it's not always to easiest to act on. College is like a new stepping stone where you can recreate yourself into the person you've always wanted to be, but that shows throw really easily and can be hard to keep up. People can tell when you're trying too hard, like if you're not a person to get all dressed up for class everyday, don't. There's no shame in that. If you don't want to go to football game because you don't like sports, don't (even though they are way more fun than they seem). Finding what makes you happy will make this four year experience so much better. Being yourself is the easiest thing about college, so why make it harder?
