Being in college is something freshmen can only describe as madness. It has been the weirdest time of my life since it is like nothing I have ever experienced before. I think every single moment of your life, you'll be learning things. From college to adulthood, to whatever comes next, we experience new things, create new memories and while they aren't all good ones, nevertheless, we learn from it all.
1. You are not going to get along with everyone
Not everyone will understand your sense of humor or like the same music you do. But you'll find people out there who embrace you for who you are and like the same things as you.
2. It’s okay to say no
Part of what I learned is to learn to choose yourself sometimes, and in those instances, it’s okay to say no.
3. Get to know your advisor
Your advisor is educated on how to make you succeed. Meet with them regularly to make sure you are on the right track and taking the right classes.
4. Extracurriculars matter
The people who hate college the most are the ones who aren't involved. You won't believe the downtime you will have. Yes, it is nice to relax and watch Netflix, but that will get old. If you are sitting around all the time you will become homesick. By joining organizations on campus it will open up opportunities that you never thought you'd love and build friendships.
5. The "freshman 15" is real
Keep the junk food out. I know the cafeteria is full of cake, cookies, fries and sugar cereal, but if you don't watch what you eat then you and your body will be very unhappy with the results.
6. It is OK to fail
Some classes you take are not going to be in your skill set. You may not understand them no matter how hard you try or how hard you might want to understand them. And that is OK. College was not meant for everyone to go through it perfectly. College is meant to challenge you and show you where your gifts are so you can graduate with a degree you are confident in.
7. Push yourself
There is no one there to tell you to do your shit. You need to be your own motivator to get things done when you need to get it done.
8. Go to class
No one is there to force you to go to class, but it is so important. Save those unexcused absences for when you physically cannot go to class.
9. Coffee, coffee, coffee
Between the homework assignments you have forgotten about due at midnight, or the 10-page research paper and presentation you procrastinated doing til the absolute very last minute. Every college student will pull a few all-nighters and have a lot of empty coffee cups to show for it. You will be tired and coffee is the perfect pick up when you are starting to doze off in class.
10. Have fun
This one is absolutely HUGE!!!!!! I heard so many rumors about college being a time to party and that’s all anyone is going to do but this is not true at all! Some students party a lot, and some students study a lot. It depends on what you want to do. I just did homework and studied for the first two weeks, not getting out and making friends or making 1 o’clock runs to insomnia.
