10. Be Friends With Your Professor
Please. You are not a teachers pet if you reach out to your professor. If you would’ve told me six years ago that I would be back at my alma mater for graduate school as well as instructing classes, I would’ve laughed. You never know where your future is going to lead you. It is never too early to network and build relationships. Chances are you are going to need references when you graduate. My freshman year basic speech instructor is the reason why I chose my major and am going on to graduate school. Shake their hand the first day of school, go into office hours when you have questions, and take class seriously. College is for learning (it really is!) - don’t lose sight of that.
9. It’s Going To Be Okay
Take a deep breath. Right now. Feel the air fill your lungs and feel grounded on this beautiful planet. You got a C on your first exam? You will survive. Your best friend hates you? You will survive. The love of your life broke up with you? Still surviving. I get it, I’ve been there. I’m a dramatic human and in every one of those moments I felt my world crumble around me. Don’t sit in that place, because deep down you know you are going to be okay.
8. Seek Help When You Need It
You are not alone. But people need to know you are struggling to be able to relate to you. Depression and anxiety are so real. Talk about it. Admit when you need help, and then get it. You’ll be surprised at how kind people can be in this cruel world. Let people walk alongside you during your struggle. College is hard! Life is hard! It's okay to ask for help, in any circumstance. Whether that means a counselor, a mentor, or a tutor - we could all use help somewhere.
7. College Can Suck
College is not always the “dream.” I really struggled, and I constantly felt tempted to transfer. You WILL go through times of doubt and uncertainty. This is the norm. Expectations rarely meet reality, and college is no exception. My four years at TCU were not the best years of my life. That’s okay. Don’t feel pressured to make every moment perfect.
6. Change Your Major (A Lot)
Your interests will change – let them. I changed my major three times until I found something I was truly passionate about. Take an intro class and if it doesn’t suit you, choose something else. That strategy led me to pursuing a career in academia now, which is something I never dreamt about until diving into my undergraduate career. So be careful – you might end up wanting to do graduate school like me! ;)
5. You Will Miss Home and You Will Miss Your Parents
There is no escaping it. You will have a crying phone call to mom at midnight before your first midterm. You truly learn to appreciate your parents when you leave them. How messed up is that?! Make sure to tell them. Your friends will come and go during college, I guarantee it. Your parents are the ones that will always be on the other side of the phone listening to you complain about the drama. Beyond that, there are just some questions only parents have answers for. Let them be there for you.
4. Graduating College Is Not A Ticket To Success
My bachelor’s degree did not mean I was an adult. I feel like I have my crap together less now than I did my junior year! Having that diploma does not equate to your dream job, a salary, or your identity. Work through whatever issues you come across now. Graduating doesn’t make those disappear, it magnifies them.
3. You Don’t Have To Be Friends With People You Don’t Like
Why do we do this? Good friends are hard to come by, that’s a fact. But you don’t need to hangout with people you don’t like or that aren’t good for you just because you want to hangout with someone – anyone. Learn to love yourself and embrace time spent alone, instead.
2. Find Out Ways To Manage Your Stress ASAP
It took me a good long while to figure out ways to de-stress. I now know that yoga, spin class, reading, binge-watching Netflix, deep breathing, and calling my mom are all ways that I handle stress. Freshman year, I resorted to tears, fighting with my roommate, and unhealthy relationships with guys as my coping mechanisms. The sooner you find ways to relax, the better your memories will be.
1. Let Go Of Your Expectations
Ready, set, go! Let them fly, y’all. Don’t pretend to have it all figured out. You don’t. Nobody does, and all freshmen are in that together. You might not find your best friends for life. You might not get into your top choice sorority/fraternity. You might get the lowest grade you’ve ever gotten on a test. You might meet your future spouse. You might get your heart broken into a million little pieces. You might become internet famous. You have no idea what the future holds. The less pressure you put on yourself to complete a check list for college, the better your experience will be. Come open minded, ready to work hard and be yourself. Let the rest come to you.
