Freshman year went by very quickly, but I also feel like we've been here for years. A lot changes in this one year, but here are a few things I want incoming freshmen to know before going into college.
1. Your concept of distance will change depending on motivation
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When freshmen generally don't have cars, you learn to walk places. A restaurant two miles away? Sure. Walmart? Oh, you may have to take the bus, but real food is worth it. Want to visit a friend or head to Canada for break? People do that. You have a lot more freedom in college and you should take advantage of it when you can. That being said, you may also reluctantly drag yourself to the readymade food in the dining hall meters away, even if it isn't the highest quality.
2. You have become the poor college student
You will learn quickly that you can't always go out even when you are free, because that costs money, and you and all of your friends are poor college students just like the rest of them. If you're like me, you will use up your flex dollars pretty quickly on extra food and will be condemned to eating at the dining hall almost every meal for weeks on end.
3. It is never too late for food
As an athlete, I spend a whole lot of time running around (quite literally), and trying to get calories to get through the day is occasionally a struggle. Eating after practice at around 6 or 7 is great, but then after another 6-7 hours of studying? There's no shame in ordering that Chinese food, grabbing a pizza, shoving down ice cream, or eating a burrito from Moe's at 1am while you cry over the never ending assignment due the next day.
4. 8:00 a.m. is early.
So coming from a high school that starts at 7:00 a.m., I thought an 8:00 a.m. may not be pleasant, but it's totally doable. Now? Lack of sleep is already too relevant to my daily life, and getting up for meets at 6:00 a.m. on Saturdays just leaves my teammate and I mumbling nonsense to each other while brushing our teeth and stumbling to the bus. Those of you who are morning people- I have so much respect for you and good luck with that.
5. Doesn't matter what you wear
Late night, early class, lifting later, practice later, cold outside, or you just feel like being comfortable- all reasons to not put on make-up and wear sweats, but you don't even need an excuse. Sure, sometimes you want to dress-up, or have to for a presentation, but the time that you might have spent in high school getting ready is better spent sleeping and no one will ever question.
6. Make friends with upperclassmen
They may not know it, but the things I learned from all of my upperclassmen friends meant a lot to me this past year. It may seem like they're a lot older, being college students and all, but you're in college too now. Embrace it. It's always easier to get used to a new school and place when someone is there to show you the ropes, especially when that person has a car. Thank them for the rides, by the way.
7. Never be afraid to ask for help
Students can be just as helpful as the professors. We have TA's, mentors, LA's and tutors for a reason, but having study friends is just as great- and not just for academic reasons. Being sick at school can be rough, but with the right friends to help you out by bringing you food or materials for a project, you can get through.
8. Professors are people too
At first, I was worried about talking to my professors, but it only took until the first test when I got incredibly sick that morning and got to re-schedule to realize that most are pretty approachable and helpful. Some can be very friendly, and connections with professors can be enjoyable and helpful, providing advice and those all-important recommendations for when you're getting a job or internship. Not to mention some of them are pretty inspiring,
9. It doesn't matter where you are, it's the people you find there
I can't stress this one enough. I met just the right friends here my freshmen year, and even though I miss my friends back home every so often, the ones I've made here are just as brilliant. From being a helping hand, to sharing clothes, to getting food at ungodly hours, they're part of it all and they're what makes everything so special. I cannot wait to be roommates with some of them next year, and spend the next few years stumbling through college together (love you all).
