When I started college at a huge party school with amazing academics for the sciences, I had no idea of what I was getting into. It seemed as if I just went with what my orientation friends were doing at the beginning of the semester because, as all college students believe, I thought they were going to be my best friends for life.
I was completely wrong.
Nobody told me all of the wrong and right things to do. Here’s my guide on everything a freshman girl needs to know when coming to college.
1. Most girls are still catty and you still can’t trust them.
Unfortunately most girls still crave nonstop attention from guys and they’re their first priority. Never keep a friend that chooses a random guy over you 9 times out of 10.
Next, it’s probably in your best interest to not become friends with girls who were friends back at home. They are more likely to turn on you because they have a special bond together.
However, if you find a great group of friends who treat you how you want to be treated for an extended period of time, congratulations. You’re extremely lucky.
2. Never. Trust. Guys.
No matter how much you think a guy cares about you, if he doesn’t make it official while you have been talking or show that he cares by taking time out and respecting you, he’s probably going to break your heart.
If a guy has a girlfriend and you know about her and you know you are his side girl, just let it go, you will find someone better.
The whole “watch your drink and don’t hook up with random guys” statement that you hear everyone saying is absolutely true. Chances are, you’re going to a school with a bare minimum of at least a thousand students. That leaves a lot of area for something like that to go wrong.
3. Limit partying and start studying.
Seeing it from the other side, constant partying just isn’t worth it. You should do it all of the time during the first semester just to get it out of your system, but by the end of your first semester you’ve had plenty of time to find your group of friends and study groups. Stick with them and always have a separate group of people that you are close with that don’t party. You should quickly move out of the “I want to be popular and have a lot of friends who accept me for being the ultimate partyer and drinker” stage. There’s a huge change of failing your classes and being miserable. I know a handful of people this has happened to, don't be one of them.
Important tip: Studying only the night before an exams never a good idea especially if you’re perusing a major you would actually like to get a job in.
4. Don't tell your friends your grades and don't get discouraged in your major.
Unless you have a friend/tutor helping you study, it’s never a good idea to tell your friends your grades. This leads to jealously, resentment and the possible downfall of your friendship. It’s better to keep it to yourself.
When it comes to peers in your major, especially in the sciences or business, don’t get discouraged. The key is to not compare yourselves to them. Try to not let your mind wonder about whether or not they’re smarter than you and what kind of grades they’re getting because you are just as capable as everyone else. You will be most successful by focusing solely on the tools you have to achieve greatness.
5. The most important lesson: It’s never too late to change your major.
Don’t let yourself become insecure about whether or not you are capable of passing in your major. You can absolutely do anything you set your mind to and whether you are average or really good at it, at least you’re doing it.
So, good luck freshmen girls and don’t be scared. Let yourself have fun by partying in the beginning but make sure to enter your freshman year head on in academics so you are able to continue to succeed in the years to come while perusing a career in whatever your heart desires!
