It's WILD to believe my freshman year of college is complete and that I graduated last year. From one perspective it has felt like I have been college for 2 years (semester long classes made it feel long), and sometimes it feels like I just graduated, but hey! time stops for no one. Within this last year I have learned a lot. Being that I go to school out of state, I can't really call my mom every time I mess up or need help (and sometimes I don't want to call and tell her) So from speaking from my one year of experience, here is my advice for the class of 2016...I was literally in your shoes a year ago.
1.) GENERAL STUFF: cherish these moments, blah,blah, blah. Take a LOAD of pics with your high school friends because after this summer, you all will scatter like ants. Get a summer job because next semester you will be a new kind of broke! One text book will cost the amount of a phone bill or a new pair of J's....or like 12 outfits from the thrift store if you're like me. SAVE like your parents are kicking you out tomorrow because technically that day will come.
2.) Roommate - Don't room with your friends. I wanted to room with my friend that I came to NCAT with but our living styles are different. I was also open to, and able to meet new people by living with someone selected by housing. We did have our times where we didn't agree, but in those instances I learned how to handle things in a calm manner. You don't want tension in your home...even if its just a room.
3.) Milk your freshman year - Freshman year is the PERFECT time to be active on campus. Everyone is sooooo open to the "babies" of the campus and admire them for getting their name out there so soon. If you want to run for office, DO IT! Audition for shows and teams, DO IT! YOU HAVE A VOICE AS A FRESHMAN - many freshman believe because of their class, they don't matter (yet). Long as you have beating heart, you matter! (keep in mind your tuition matters so you should too!) You meet upperclassmen (with cars, and old books you will need, and more advice than I have) that won't mind putting you under their wing.
4.) Strong foundation - Just like 9th grade, Freshman year sets you up for the next four years (especially GPA wise). Work hard, play hard...but responsibly. Freshman year everyone is just getting that first taste of 'freedom' away from the parents and everyone is new to each other (unless you all went through HS together). My best advice is
1.) Don't jump into a relationship too soon. Everyone is just getting to know each other, he/she may seem cool at first, then whip out a whole new personality 2 months later. Take it slow, you have 4 years and some to date.
2.) Put first things first - There is no degree for partying and turning up, therefore don't do it until you have your work done first. THERE WILL ALWAYS BE A PARTY where as 11:59 2/4/16 only comes around once and Fs sting.
3.) Strive for that 4.0! What's stopping you? Get around some smart like minded people and make it happen.
4.) RELY ON YOU - first, foremost, and forever more...no one is going to care about you or know you better than YOU. Try not to rely on anyone but yourself because the last thing you want is something with your name on it to look like trash (if its even submitted at all). Get as many agenda books, calendars, and sticky notes as it will take to make sure you succeed, but over all, this journey is an independent one.
5.) Room - Your room is just about the only space on campus you can decorate until your heart is content (within reason). Make it homey!! I had pictures and decor, and a wax burner that filled the air with cinnamon bun aroma. You're going to be living there for 8 months, make it a place you want to return to nightly. (Pinterest rooms decor ideas, shop around Burlington Coat Factory, Ross, TJ Max, and Marshalls, are great places to find home decor items for cheap). Also discuss the culture of the room with your roommate early on so there is no confusion. Are you a neat freak? Weekly chore day? Alternate the cleaning supplies and toiletry purchases?
My side :)
6.) Food - You can eat healthy at school! The freshman fifteen isn't that real, it's possible but hey, so is maintaining a healthy diet. Don't be like my friends and I and spend an hour in the caf socializing because you will be prone to get in line over and over again just to see 'potential bae'. I capped my caf time to 30 minutes, enough time to speak, eat, and leave. Also, you don't need a room full of food! This leads to eating out of bordum...and we all know not many of us casually snack on carrots and cantaloupes, so we not winning here. I did keep a few frozen microwavable meals incase the caf was not the move, and invested in a mini croc-pot for my soups :).
7.) Dorm Hacks - Washing and drying close is EXPENSIVE. I made my $20 washing allowance stretch by investing in a drying rack. Paying $1.50 for drying was not in my budget (call it cheap if you want) but i stretched that $20 all fall semester...and I have a lot of clothes. Get acquainted with your neighbors and those in your building, they will come in handy for homework, snacks, books, or just chilling with when you don't want to (or can't) go in your room.
8.) Friends - Some of my closest friends are those that I met here at NCAT. I know its only been a year but we are tight as velcro and look after each other like sisters. Be yourself, and you will attract like minds who will want nothing but the best for you. Be yourself, and don't be afraid to speak to new people, especially freshman year. Everyone is new and nervous its not just you.
9.) The Art of Finessing - Yes this is an ART! I went from buying all of my textbooks, to buying one and sharing the rest. Be the person everyone loves (this doesn't mean you have to be everyone's friend) but at a relationship where if you ask a favor, no one would mind. Make copies out of books and notebooks if you have to! Remember you're going to be a new kind of broke. See if you can find materials cheaper through students who no longer need them.
10.) The refund check - SAVE THIS. This is not "new shoe, new hair, new me" money. This is "rainy day, maybe use it for next semester's bill" money. Act like you never got it, and continue to live responsibly.
11.) Smoking - If you do it, DON'T DO IT IN THE DORMS. (it's kind of a 'duh' rule, but it still happens). Yes people will tell you ways of not getting caught, but do they tell you what to do when you are caught? Telling you from a witness's perspective, it's not pretty.
Congrats and good luck in the future :)
