10 Things I Wish I Knew As A College Freshman | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

10 Things I Wish I Knew As A College Freshman

Hopefully, this will help some poor freshman and make some upperclassmen laugh.

12
10 Things I Wish I Knew As A College Freshman
Odyssey

I honestly did not know what I expected my freshman year of college. I remember being nervous about forgetting to wake up and go to class or how scary doing laundry would be. Now I see freshman running around campus and thinking about my own experiences. There are a whole slew of things I wish I knew my freshman year of college and I hope that these will be helpful to any college freshmen and hopefully funny and relatable to any upperclassmen.

1. Wearing a lanyard around your neck is not cool.

I proudly wore mine around my neck for a full week until I realized that only the freshmen were doing it. Apparently, it's not cool and immediately labels you as a freshman. I don't really know why this isn't more acceptable, but if you want to rock it, go for it.

2. You don't have to dress up for class every day.

You can literally wear whatever you want and no one will bat an eye. I've gone to class in shorts and a t-shirt and in a sundress or nicer clothes. Wear whatever you are comfortable wearing and own it whether it's a pair of sweats or a pair of slacks.

3. You don't need to get to class 20 minutes early.

During the first week, you might try to go early to class to get a good seat, but you don't have to be super early to every single class. You can walk through the door five minutes before or right on the dot. I do advise going early for tests, though.

4. Signing up for tutoring.

If you're having trouble in your core math classes, go get a tutor. There is no shame in signing up for a tutor or needing someone to read over your paper. Just keep in mind that you don't need a tutor for every single subject.

5. It's perfectly okay to question what you want to do in life and to think about other options.

You don't need to feel guilty that you're not happy as an education major or that maybe PT is too much for you. Don't feel pressured to stay in a major that you don't want. Also, know that there could be other options in your major, you just need to know who to talk to.

6. Don't be afraid to try new things.

Join that silly club on campus, go on road trips with your friends, stay up talking to your friends while drinking chocolate milk, ask to observe that Gerontology class. In whatever you choose to do, just make sure to be safe and smart in your decisions.

7. It's okay not to make 100 new friends.

You will meet hundreds of people at orientation and in your classes, but you don't have to be close friends with all of them. It's okay to have a few close friends and to stick with them throughout college. Don't fret because you're not texting all of those people you exchanged numbers with at orientation or because you're not always traveling in a pack of 10+ people.

8. It's perfectly okay to skip that 8 am--it won't kill you.

Class is not always mandatory and sometimes you really need to take a personal day. Make sure not to skip too many 8 am classes or else your grade will begin to suffer, but one won't kill you.

9. 3:00 a.m. is sometimes an early night.

There are nights where you are swamped with work and you procrastinated too long on that Buddhism essay, so 3 am becomes your new bedtime. Sometimes its not always due to a work overload, it could be the result of a super long conversation over text or in person with your roommate or that guy from your philosophy class.

10. Don't procrastinate.

It always seems like a good idea until it is Sunday at 1 am and you are just finishing your paper that is due at 8 am. It is easier said than done, but always try your best to start studying for that math exam or create an outline for that British literature essay well before the actual test/due date. Your sleep schedule will thank you later.

11. Don't quit just because it's difficult.

College is new and scary at first, but after awhile it's not. Don't quit because you're scared of failure or because your class is harder than you expected. Try your best, get help with your school work, talk to a professor, tell your friends what is going on. Don't be afraid to make mistakes and to ask for help. If you quit because it's difficult, then you will never learn anything and never grow.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

192975
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

16489
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

459107
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

27312
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments