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

8 Things I Wish I Knew As A College Freshman

Because I wish someone would have told me.

7
8 Things I Wish I Knew As A College Freshman
Beth Weeks

If you recently graduated high school or are just heading off to school, you're in for a time of your life. While at first it may seem weird and you may be lonely, you'll soon make friends and find your place. Leaving your hometown behind and starting over may be scary but you will navigate college just fine. Here are eight things I wish someone told me before I moved in to college.

1. Your roommate may not end up being your best friend or even your friend at all.

Your first ever roommate may not even end up being friends with you, or you could end up being inseparable, you never know how it will go. I went to college thinking that my roommate and I would end up best friends and hang out all the time. We became friends, it just took a lot longer than I had hoped. One of my friends from college got stuck with a roommate that was rude to her, called her nasty names and played pranks on her all hours of the day. So when you meet your roommate, expect the best but be prepared for the worst.

2. Syllabus week isn't really a thing at small colleges.

As a freshman, you will hear upperclassman talking about "syllabus week" and how drunk they are the entirety of it. If you go to a small school, CalU as an example, it's a lie. You can make syllabus week a thing with your friends and party all week but class will happen the first week. If your class is longer than an hour, even on the first day, be prepared to take notes. Sorry, I was disappointed too.

3. Greeks do NOT hate non-Greeks.

In fact, you may never go Greek and have a Greek best friend. Of course there will be one or two Greeks that call non-Greeks "GDIs" but they're probably a douche anyway. Your choice to go Greek or to not go Greek is just that, YOUR choice. People will respect that. You do you.

4. The cafeteria is not good. They lied when you toured.

Don't get me wrong, the cereal is good. Unless it's stale. The food places try, but it just isn't like mom or grandma's cooking.

5. MLA format throughout high school was a joke.

My high school told me over and over that I HAD to know MLA format, because I would use it in college. Wanna know which format I never used in college? MLA. Want to know which format I had to use, but had never even heard of? APA. Thanks, high school.

6. It's Ok to not have it together and it's Ok to not be Ok.

"I wish I was told it's Ok to not have it all together sometimes. So much emphasis was put on school that I feel like I missed out on a lot of my freshman year." - Katie Irwin, CalU Senior

7. Do things that make you happy.

You do not, I repeat DO NOT, have to do something that makes you unhappy just because it's considered the "norm." You don't like to drink? Don't drink. Don't hang out with people that pressure you to drink if that makes you uncomfortable. You'd rather stay in during the weekend? You do you. You want to join a club your friends think is weird? Do it anyway. College is for you, don't forget that. It's a great time to find yourself.

8. Remember to have fun!

College is about school, but you'll go nuts if that's all you focus on. Relax and have some fun too! Freshman year only comes around once. (Sometimes twice when you're a senior and pretend to be a freshman again).

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

Moana's Top 10 Life Tips

"Moana" is filled with life lessons that involve far more than finding true love as many other Disney movies do.

36577
Animated image of a woman with long dark hair and tattoos
StableDiffusion

1. It's easy to be fooled by shiny things.

Digital image of shiny gemstones in cased in gold. shiny things StableDiffusion

Tamatoa created a liar filled with shiny things simply for the purpose of tricking fish to enter and become his food. He too experiences a lesson in how easy it is to be tricked by shiny things when Moana distracts him by covering herself in glowing algae so Maui can grab his hook.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

7 Types Of Students You Will Meet In College

You wish you could be #5, but you know you're probably a #6.

17329
cool group of lazy college students in class
StableDiffusion

There are thousands of universities around the world, and each school boasts its own traditions and slogans. Some schools pride themselves on sports, while others emphasize their research facilities. While there is a myriad of differences among each and every school, there will always these seven types of students in class.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

15 Rhyme Without Reason Greek Life Function Ideas

When you have no ideas for what to wear to this date function

318471
A dog and a frog
Healthy Pets

I am going to a rhyme without reason date function and I have looked at so many different rhyming words and I figured there need to be a new list of words. At these functions, there are usually at least two rockers and boxers and an umpteenth amount of dogs and frogs. I have come up with a list of creative and unique ideas for these functions.

If you like what you see, get a shopping cart going with these costumes.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

Yoga love

A long over due thank you note to my greatest passion.

30917
A person in a yoga pose surrounded by a supportive community of fellow yogis with a look of peace and gratitude on their face the image should convey the sense of strength mindfulness and appreciation that the writer feels towards yoga
StableDiffusion

Dearest Yoga,

You deserve a great thank you.

Keep Reading...Show less
Arts Entertainment

Epic Creation Myths: Norse Origins Unveiled

What happened in the beginning, and how the heavens were set in motion.

11064
The Norse Creation Myth

Now, I have the everlasting joy of explaining the Norse creation myth. To be honest, it can be a bit kooky, so talking about it is always fun. The entire cosmos is included in this creation myth, not just the earth but the sun and the moon as well. This will be a short retelling, a summary of the creation myth, somewhat like I did with Hermod's ride to Hel.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments