Advice from a College Senior | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

Advice from a College Senior

Some tips for freshman going into college.

14
Advice from a College Senior
Pexel

Summer’s wrapping up and I suddenly find myself entering senior year. I’ve already had a couple of moments where I freeze and try to process how I’ll be done with college come December.

Freshman year seems like yesterday and a hundred years ago, all at the same time. I can still clearly remember not sleeping the night before Move-In Day, probably going 85 miles per hour to get there.

It’s an exciting time, and now that I’m entering my last semester, I can look back on all the cliché things said about college and tell you most of them are true.

So freshman here’s some advice heading into August:

The ads lied. You really can’t fit all that into your dorm room.

While dorms can become quite homey with a little care and love, don’t over cram it. It’ll make it seem 100 times smaller. And most likely, you won’t spend a lot of time in your dorm with classes, social events and any clubs and organizations you join.

Speaking of clubs, join a few, but not too many.

There have been plenty of times where my plate is fuller than Thanksgiving and it affects every aspect of my life. It’s easy to get overly excited and want to join five organizations or clubs, but it’s critical to know when enough is enough. I understand wanting to do everything, but I think you’ll find yourself burning out quickly. Take it from someone who knows!

Sleep is your best friend.

Remember in kindergarten when you rebelled against nap time. In college, you’ll master the art of napping. It should really be a course for credit. Ask any college student; you learn to sleep when you can. I’m not much of a night owl or morning bird. I’m a 62-year-old at heart and like getting to bed by 10:30 or 11 pm. I also recognized I am far from the majority of college students.

It’ll be tempting to stay out till 3 am and sleep through your 8 am but I promise you, it’s not worth it. Freshman year was a nightmare because I tried running on too little sleep and it showed in my grades. So take naps and try to get a reasonable amount of sleep per day.

You will get sick of cafeteria food…quickly.

I was excited that I had a meal plan going into freshman year because it was so convenient. But you’ll find out quickly how boring it can get. That’s where your creativity comes in. Try to mix stuff up in the café, especially if it’s the same thing every day. You’ll be tempted to eat out every day, once the café food becomes seemingly intolerable but your wallet will feel that quickly. You’re paying for the café meals so do your best to make the best out of it! Pinterest will give you plenty of inspiration.

If you can, get a job.

I know some people with certain majors that don’t allow time for a job. But for a lot of students, on-campus jobs become a lifesaver. It saves you gas from driving off campus, usually has reasonable hours, and is often at or above minimum wage. Find an area of campus you love and work there! It’ll help you learn time-management better and will give you a glimpse into what life will be like when you graduate.

Try to remember, every once in a while, to appreciate your classes.

This one is probably the most important. There are over 50 million kids in the world who are unable to go to school. They could only dream of graduating high school and going to college. It’s easy in our society to take college for granted because it feels like almost everyone goes. But there are so many kids who can’t.

That’s why I try to step back, especially in the midst of complaining about school, and remind myself that millions of them would give anything to trade places or be in my shoes.

Education is such a powerful tool and you now have four years to focus on a specific area that you want to use it. Yes, there will be plenty of days where you could skip class and not care a bit. It’s easier said than done, but being a senior, I wish I could go back and do some years over, taking the time to really appreciate it.

It’ll be over before you know it.

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.

178696
 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

5877
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...

451580
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.

22776
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