Going into college, I know I had a million and one questions about college life, classes, and being away from home! Until you really go through the experience for yourself, you can't truly have the best answer, but here are some of the most frequently asked questions that people ask before going to school that I am going to try to answer. Hopefully, these questions help ease your pre-college anxiety and get you excited for what is yet to come!
These questions are a combination of what I have been asked, what I asked before going to school and questions I pulled from the internet. Here are some of the more popular questions students have before they leave for college.
1. I have been friends with the same people my whole life -- how do I make new friends?
This is a great question and one I personally had going into my freshman year of high school. After being friends with the same people for so many years, I forgot what it was like to start new friendships. This made me a little nervous before starting my first year. How do I start conversations? Where do I meet new people? How do you make friends?
While this might all seem frightening, meeting new people in college is easier than you think. It’s completely normal going into your freshman year of college not knowing anyone. Just know a lot of other people are in the same boat as you. They are just as eager to make friends and meet new people. My advice, especially if you're living on campus, is to go out of your way to meet the people living on your floor and in your dorm.
Through your dorm and your floor, there should be many planned social activities that allow the opportunity for you to meet people living in your dorm. The first night of college, I went and knocked on everyone's door from the 1st to the 10th floor. Some people didn't answer. But those that did, I was able to introduce myself and ask how their night was going. Some people liked the idea so much, they joined with me to meet our neighbors! Now, that might have been a little extra, but it was a great icebreaker and allowed me to get to know the people who were living on the floors above and below me!
Although I hung out with many people the first semester of my freshman year, I would say I didn't find my "best friends" (and the people whom I room with now in my sophomore year of college) until my second semester of freshman year. Between all the events held throughout the year in your dorm and on campus, there is no doubt there are tons of opportunities to meet new people!
And always an easy way to start a conversation with someone new is to ask them about what they are studying and what classes they are taking. Get to know what they are interested in, see if you guys might have similar gen eds and maybe even seeing if you can get together a study group or even asking to catch lunch or grab coffee!
2. What happens if I don't like my roommate?
This situation is tough. On my floor last year, I experienced just about every single kind of roommate relationship. The roommate with a boyfriend that comes over every weekend. The roommate that is too shy and wants to avoid conflict and then things blow up in the end. The roommate that takes your stuff without you knowing. The perfectly-in-sync roommates. The crazy party roommates that have people over 24/7. You name a roommate relationship, and I've seen it unfold.
Unfortunately, not all people like their freshman year roommate, even if they chose each other on Facebook. However, there is a difference between someone not liking their roommate and them actually causing problems. I think if you just don't like the person they are, but they aren't doing anything wrong or that is crossing boundaries, then you're just going to have to deal with it. If this is your situation, you can try to spend the majority of your time outside of your room. Go to the library. Go to your friends' dorms and hang out. Hang out in the common room or the lobby of your building.
With your busy college schedule, if you really didn't want to spend time with your roommate it is very easy not to. On the other hand, if your roommate is causing problems that break the rules of your "Roommate Agreement" or doing something that is against school rules or you think is not right, definitely bring that up as a conversation with your roommate. If you can openly talk with your roommate and have a mature, civil conversation about it, then do that first.
If you address the issue head-on yourself with your roommate and the situation gets worse, then that can be your cue to bring in your RA or even your Hall Director. If there is your roommate is doing something that makes you uncomfortable or is something that you don't think is right, absolutely bring in someone with authority. After you do that, you will likely have to talk to a few people, including your roommate. However, if it is a serious situation, you might be able to switch rooms or change your situation. Do what is best for you, and trust your gut.
3. Is it okay if I change my major?
Yes. The average college student changes their major 3 times. A lot of students realize that what they thought they were signing up for was not the reality. Make sure you take the time to think about what you really want and that it is what you want and not what someone else wants for you. College is a time to focus on your needs and what you want out of life. After all, you're the one spending the next four years of your life on campus.
Yesterday, I met someone from my high school who said they were changing their major from engineering to music study. Anything is possible! Just because you have chosen one major does not mean you can't switch, although make sure you talk to your academic advisor to understand your situation and how to best go about it.
4. Should I have a job in school?
Freshman year is a lot of "new." New location, new home, new friends, new schedule, new classes. It can be a lot. Look at your financial situation. Do you need a job to pay for school? If yes, maybe a work-study program is right for you. If you are just looking to make some side money, I would wait a couple weeks and get yourself adjusted to your new course load and extracurricular activities to see if you even have time to fit in a job.
Personally, I wanted to focus on my academics freshman year and now sophomore year, I decided to apply for a job and started working. But I do know students who did work their freshman year and they were able to manage. Just make sure you stay organized and on top of things while in school, have open communication with your professors and your boss and if you really want a job, more likely than not your job will be accommodating to your school schedule and your workload.
5. Is it okay to be homesick?
Of course! Everyone gets a little homesick. Whether you live 1500 miles or 15, it's okay to miss home. Many times, students haven't been away from home for longer than a week before college. It's a drastic change going from home to school, so it makes sense you miss it. But once you find your friends and get used to the campus life, you become more comfortable on campus, and you end up wanting to stay! As I've read on Twitter, if you're not excited to go back to your college campus at the end of the summer, you chose the wrong school.
6. How do I stay on top of everything?
Like I've said before, college is many moving parts all at once. If you're not careful, it can become overwhelming. The biggest advice to stay on top of everything is to be organized. Keeping a space, whether it's your laptop calendar or your planner, where you can write down all of your dates in one place is the best way to organize your schedule and make sure you're not missing important meetings.
7. Will people find it weird if I don't drink in college?
No! A big misconception is that everyone drinks in college. This is not true! Yes, there are college students who do drink and party, but there are also a lot of students who don't. Something that is different in college than in high school is no one cares if you drink, and no one cares if you don't. All I am saying is that if you don't drink in college, you're not going to stand out, and people aren't going to look at you like you have a sign on your forehead that says "loser."
You can still go out with your friends and not drink, or you can find some other activities that you're interested in. For example, my school has indoor rock-climbing available at nights that people can participate in, and activities like those will introduce you to other people who don't like to drink as well! Also, just because you don't drink does not mean you can't join a sorority!
8. Can I use my laptop in class?
This is dependent upon the professor. Usually, they will have it listed in their syllabus their rules on the use of technology in class or they will talk about it on the first day of class. If you're unsure, don't hesitate to email your professor directly. They will appreciate your concern, and then, you will have the correct answer that you know is right!
9. How much homework will I have?
This is also dependent on your class schedule your major, your professor, and ultimately yourself. From my experience, college grades are based more on your performances on tests. Often times, homework is optional or worth minimal to no credit. You have to be independent and self-motivated in college to study how you fit best in order to do well on the tests. (Hey, did that rhyme!?)
10. How can I manage to stay healthy on campus?
Living a healthy lifestyle, although easier said than done, is all about your choices. Go into every meal thinking about your healthier options. Apple instead of chips. Turkey wrap instead of a burger. You get the idea. Plus, don't hesitate to use the salad bar once and a while!
If you like sports, check out the intramural or club sports scene that is a great way to exercise while also doing something fun and meeting people! If you like the gym, definitely take advantage of one if your school provides one. If you're not used to working out or haven't done it in a while, you don't have to overwhelm yourself. Just working out 3x a week and making healthier choices in your day to day life is a good way to start you on the right track!
Hopefully, these answers give you better insight into your questions that you've had about college life. If you're already asking and wanting to know the answers to your questions about the college you're one step ahead of your peers, and you'll have more knowledge about what to expect going into college. I know it can seem like a handful, but once you get on campus and experience the college life for yourself, you will see what everyone's talking about!
