Freshman year goes faster than you think. I learned to make the most of it while it lasted, because it is a time that I will never get back. From awkward icebreakers at orientation to finding your way around campus, freshman year isn't easy. But I can certainly say that my freshman year was overall an amazing experience that I truly enjoyed.
1. It's important to always call your family.
You're almost always busy in college- your free time fills up fast. But no matter how busy you are, family should always be a priority. Call your family whenever you have a chance, because they will appreciate hearing from you.
2. You will lose contact with some of your high school friends, unless you make it a point to reach out to them.
It's inevitable that you won't be as close to all of your high school friends once you get to college. But it's important to stay in touch with those that you truly care about. The only way to stay in touch is to reach out and put effort into the friendship. Of course everyone is busy in college, but try your best to maintain relationships as much as you can.
3. Naps are a gift from God to college students.
Before college, the last time I took a nap was probably in kindergarten. But one day in college when I was sleep-deprived and bored, I rediscovered the wonders of naps. College students thrive on naps, because really, what college student goes to sleep at a decent time every night?
4. No one really cares how you dress in college.
In high school, there is pressure to fit in and to always look our best. But in college, people could care less and it's not uncommon to see someone walking around dressed as a unicorn.
5. It will benefit you to build relationships with your professors.
I know this is probably a cliche, but getting to know your profs is so important in college. It's a great feeling to have someone to rely on, and you never know when you'll need a recommendation letter!
6. Never study in your bed, or you'll end up not getting anything done.
I have made this mistake many times. Studying is your bed is a BAD IDEA! You will most likely end up a.) falling asleep or b.) getting comfortable and wasting time on your phone. Try to study at a desk, or even better, someplace besides your room.
7. Get tutoring if you need it, before it's too late.
Another mistake that I made was not getting tutoring when I should have. As soon as you feel yourself starting to slip, go to the tutoring center. In almost all schools, tutoring is free and beneficial for everyone. (Not to worry- I ended up with a B+ in my math class, but with tutoring I may have gotten an A!)
8. Get involved in as many clubs as you can.
When I started school in the fall, I signed up for at least ten different clubs. Of course, it was not possible to do all of these at the same time, so I chose six of them to stay in. Now I am very involved in multiple organizations on campus, and I have made so many friends and memories as a result.
9. It's very important to stay organized.
If you aren't an organized person, college is the time to start getting your life together. I have always been organized, but I know a lot of people who tended to be messy and ended up struggling in college. You will thank yourself later if you plan ahead, keep your room clean, and never miss due dates.
10. You should always keep plenty of snacks in your dorm.
Trust me on this one- college students are always hungry! The dining hall food hits the spot only three times a day, but most of us need snacks in between meals. This is where dorm room refrigerators come in handy. I always keep healthy snacks like cheese sticks, yogurt, and almonds in my dorm so that I always have something on hand for when I get hungry between meals. I also keep things like fruit snacks and other individual packets of snacks for visitors who stop by my dorm.
