Coming into college as a freshman can be scary, especially when you have no idea what you’re doing. A lot of people talk about the transition from high school into college along with move-in day tips, but does anyone talk about what happens next? What happens after you’ve unpacked and watched your parents wave goodbye? I know that I wish I would have had some advice before diving head first, although it did turn out just fine. Here are the things I wish I had known.
1. Don't be afraid of the kids across the hall... Even if they're the opposite gender
On move-in day, the door directly opposite mine was open and the two guys that were living there were sitting down, already settled in, and one of them was reading. They seemed so calm and collected. Meanwhile, I was running around like a chicken with its head cut off. I assumed those boys probably thought I was slightly insane so I avoided them very awkwardly for the first few days. As it turns out, one of those guys is now one of my best friends here. I promise your hall mates aren't as scary as they seem once you take the chance and talk to them.
2. Become friends with, or at least be friendly to, your RA
Your RA can either be your best friend or your worst enemy. People typically see RAs as this intimidating person on your hall who is watching your every move and is definitely out to get you. This is not the case. Your RA can help you with a variety of issues that you have living in a residence hall. From your neighbors playing loud, thumping bass music well into quiet hours, to whoever took your pan from the kitchen, or nearly anything else that you can think of. It didn't take me very long to figure out that my RA was nothing to be afraid of and he's actually pretty great.
3. It's okay to talk to your professors, they won't hurt you
You've probably already heard this, I know I heard it a thousand times. However, it was something I had trouble listening to. Talking to your professors after class or during their office hours can do nothing but help you. It can seem intimidating at first, but they are there for you. A lot of them actually love when a student drops by with a question; they don't want to see you fail!
4. But also don't stress if you hate your professor
This is bound to happen, as not every student is going to like every professor they ever have. This doesn't mean that you can let your hatred show through during class, that's a bad idea. If you accept the fact that you don't like them, this allows you to come up with better ways to cope with that and actually study for their class, helping you in the long run.
5. Don't focus too much on your high school and hometown relationships
Yes, it's normal to want to hold on to people back home. Sometimes if you focus too much on that, you don't pay attention to the new relationships you could be forming at college. It's much easier to jump right into the swing of things on campus and try to make friends as soon as possible instead of waiting. This doesn't mean to forget about the people back home, but instead, it means to focus on not putting all of your social energy into that.
6. Don't stress about fitting in the moment you walk through the door
You may have envisioned yourself making tons of friends the moment you got to college. But let's be real, that doesn't always happen. It may take some time to make friends, and that's okay. It's better to make real connections with people you genuinely enjoy hanging out with rather than having a forced friendship with someone because you want to fit in and be a part of a particular group.
7. Try not to stress out too much
I know, I know. This is easier said than done, but your body and mind will thank you if you can reduce your stress levels. College can be intense, frustrating, and overwhelming. Since I'm at Appalachian State, I love to simply take a step outside and breathe in the mountain air; it really helps. And don't forget to utilize your friends. A cup of coffee with someone you trust can take a little weight off your shoulders, even if it's just for a few minutes.
8. College is expensive
No, but for real though. I knew it was going to be expensive, but I wasn't quite prepared. Tuition is one thing, then you add on books, food, a trip into town with friends, and let's not forget Walmart runs for groceries, and all the school supplies and things you didn't think you would need that you left at home. Yikes. One thing I'd highly recommend is starting a budget for yourself early on.
9. Don't be afraid to ask people to quiet down
If one thing's for sure, it is that getting work done when your neighbor's music is so loud that your desk begins to vibrate is nearly impossible... No joke. You might be afraid of their reaction or possibly what's going on in their room, but just go over there and ask for some cooperation, or get your RA to ask them to quiet down for you. It will probably happen a lot, so don't settle for unfocused study hours.
10. Have fun!
College is a place for learning, that's what it is designed for. This doesn’t mean fun is out of the question. Studying is very important, although it isn't everything. Hang out with your friends, go to that party, go see that movie. You don't need to be stuck at your desk or the library all day and night. Allowing yourself to have a little bit of fun will make your overall experience so much better.
