An Open Letter To The New College Freshman | The Odyssey Online
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An Open Letter To The New College Freshman

From getting to class to going out, this is everything no one told you about your first year at college.

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An Open Letter To The New College Freshman

This is a stage in your life where you're transitioning from living under your parents roof to your parents literally not knowing where you are 80% of the time, so it can definitely a little scary and overwhelming! However, don't be overly nervous or anxious about it! I know from personal experience that I was so busy planning my room color scheme that I didn't give myself anytime to fully comprehend what was going to happen in a few weeks.

You'll pack all your things up and leave your room, like for a vacation, except you won't be back for 2 to 3 months. You'll unpack at your dorm and, in all the excitement, you won't realize that your parents are going back home..... and you aren't. This is really hard for some freshmen because living without your parents for the first time since you born is a hell of an adjustment.

Speaking of adjustments, that's literally what your first semester of college will be. Adjustments. Getting used to living with someone you don't know that well, the dining halls, finding your classes on Google Maps, making new friends, and getting used to the increase of rigor in your classes. It's so much all at once and it can hit you all at once or sporadically. Either way, you might get a little homesick or frustrated, but I promise, IT'S ALL SO NORMAL!!!!!

Everyone around is more than likely feeling the same as you are so TALK TO SOMEONE. The worst thing you can do when you're homesick or sad is shut yourself in. Talk to people: your roommate, your high school friends, your advisor, LITERALLY ANYONE.

That being said, CALL YOUR PARENTS. They miss you and you miss them, no matter how hard you act.

The telltale sign of a freshman on the first day of class is a lost looking soul with their iPhone out with their Navigation telling them how to get to a lecture hall. Honestly, don't be scared to do it because we have all been there and no one laughs at you. If anything, the older people wish they were still lost freshmen #The GoodOleDays. Also, don't be afraid to ask someone for help!! Everyone on a college campus was a scared freshman and they'd be happy to help you, I promise.

In terms of classes, GO TO THEM. Your parents pay a lot of money for you to go to whatever school you go to and don't waste that money by getting a bad grade in an "easy A class" because you showed up 7 times the whole semester. At the end of the day, you're in school to go to class. You should also study a few hours a day to be able to keep up with the course loads because it's a lot different than high school!!! This is NOT an exaggeration!!!! Go over your notes or the textbook, whatever helps you. It's better to study bit by bit by reviewing after your class everyday than to be in a study room at 4am the day of your test crying yourself into a panic attack because you have no idea what the test is on!!

BUT, go out. Do it. You'll meet your best friends. You'll form all of the stereotypical college bonding. Go out of your comfort zone a little and live! These are supposed to be the 4 (or 5) best years of your life. Live it up!!!!!!


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