Freshman year in college, what a time to be alive. This is usually the first time you are away from your parents for a long period of time, and, if you're like me, the first time you are 3 states away. I chose Birmingham-Southern College because the first time I walked on campus I knew it was home. I am now going into my junior year, and have 13 tips I would like to pass on to you incoming freshman.
1. Learn to study on day one.
BSC is hard. I know that you have heard that, and I also know that you don't understand the severity of how hard it is. Freshman year is no exception to this; I would even argue freshman year is the most challenging year. So read carefully: college is a whole new world of homework, exams, tests, and projects. I barely put any effort into school in high school because I didn't have to; school was easy and homework was minimal. You're in the big leagues now. You may study for a test for a week and still make a C on it. You may spend hours upon hours writing a paper and get a C on it. Be prepared for this. There is no adjustment period; you are immediately thrown into the new standard of college perfection. So, please don't pay attention to your friends that go to state schools who don't study and make As. You go to BSC! You are so smart and the hard work is going to pay off tenfold when you graduate. Learn good study habits early, and don't compare grades to your friends at other schools. I promise if you work hard from the beginning and learn good study habits your freshman year, the rest of your time at BSC will be easier!
2. Do all of the orientation activities, even if you think you are too cool for them.
I remember trying to find excuses to get out of the orientation events because I was a little socially awkward and didn't like the idea of being with a ton of new people that I didn't know. But looking back, I'm so glad my suite-mate dragged me to everything because those events are some of my fondest memories of freshman year. Sure you probably have no idea how to square dance, but don't let that intimidate you! Go see the hypnotist, it is hilarious to look back and think about watching those strangers on stage doing funny things (especially if they are now your friends). Please, do the orientation events. They are such an amazing time to meet people and really begin to get involved in life on campus!
3. Go through the rush process even if you don't want to actually join a fraternity or sorority.
People always say, go through rush to meet people. DO THIS! I was not in a sorority my freshman year and I had a really good year. I rushed my sophomore year and also had a really good year. I say this because it is important to understand that you don't have to be a part of Greek Life in order to have a wonderful college experience. Nobody will pressure you to join one if you don't want to. Know that going through rush is not committing to join a sorority or fraternity. You can very much rush to meet people, and then decide you don't want to be a part of Greek Life. So rush! Make some friends! And if you happen to find a home in Greek Life along the way, then it will only add to your college experience!
4. Get involved early, but don't overload yourself.
My freshman year I was not involved in many activities, and I regret it. Get involved! During orientation, there will be a chance for you to see all the activities that BSC has to offer. This is your chance to explore them and see what peaks your interest! I am now involved in quite a few activities ranging from honor societies to religious life. It is not only beneficial for your resume, it is also a great way to make friends. For example, I started attending RUF my sophomore year and am now on the servant team. RUF has introduced me to such an incredible group of people and is the perfect mid-week pick me up. If you want to make friends, come to RUF on Wednesday nights and you will make loads of friends (including me)! No matter what activity you join: whether it is theater, Greek life, religious life, Quest II, Southern Ambassadors, etc., just join something! However, don't overload yourself. Between school and all your activities, leave room for time with yourself.
5. Find time for yourself.
Freshman year is jam-packed with activities. Which is awesome and a major part of the college experience, but don't let yourself get overwhelmed. For me, Striplin fitness center was my outlet. When school, relationships, soccer, or anything else became too much, I took time out of my day to go exercising. Exercising is the way I relieve stress, but this doesn't work for everyone and that's okay. Find what relieves stress for you! This may be getting off campus for a little bit, taking a nap, getting a massage, hanging out with friends, binge watching Netflix, or reading a good book. Whatever your relaxing method is, always find time for it during your busy week!
6. Find the balance between social life and school, and stick to it.
Despite common criticism, BSC has a raging social atmosphere. Sure, we aren't as big as the University of Alabama, but that doesn't mean our campus never has anything going on. However, because of how academically demanding our school is, it is important to find that balance between your social life and maintaining a decent GPA. As mentioned in point #1, good study habits are essential. It is also essential to have adequate study time. So if all of your friends are going out on a Wednesday night and you have a test Thursday morning, do yourself a favor and stay in to study. I promise that in the long run you will be happier about that B+ on your test rather than a night at Zydeco. Manage your time well during the week, and you will have plenty of time to have a social life on the weekends!
7. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF YOUR PROFESSORS.
BSC professors are the coolest people. They are the type of professors that will gladly tell you to stay home when you are sick, will help you succeed in their class, and are just genuine people. Take advantage of the gift that BSC gives you. The class sizes are so small so that you can get to know your professors and your professors can get to know you. Go to office hours! Professors have office hours to help you whether that is helping you with ideas for your paper, reading your paper, giving you study tips, or helping you with life in general. BSC professors want you to succeed, so if you are struggling in their class go ask for help.
8. If you're an athlete: appreciate your freshman year even if you warm the bench all year.
Freshman year is a time to adjust to college in the classroom and on the field, court, pool, etc. I play soccer for BSC, and let me tell you freshman year was shocking. The girls were bigger and faster than anyone I faced in high school and it honestly took me all year to truly adjust to the style of play. Don't let this adjustment period damage your love for the game. Take the time on the bench to learn to support your team, be humble in your own abilities, and work towards achieving the level of play that lands you on the field. Now, to those players that start or have ample amount of playing time their freshman year, don't let that get to your head. That is so awesome that you get that opportunity, but remember that you are playing over an upperclassmen. This means that when that new wave of freshman come in next year, there might be someone playing over you. So whether you start or sit the bench, don't let your freshman year make you complacent. Work hard always!
9.Take advantage of Quest II events.
Quest II is an amazing organization on campus that sponsors events to get students involved. Take advantage of these events. Quest II sponsors events such as Efest, Homecoming, Mardi Gras ball, SoCo, and several others. They also bring food to athletic events, and give away free tickets to events going on around Birmingham. If you're interested in planning activities for students, apply for Quest II because they are a blessing to our campus. As an athlete, they are beyond helpful in bringing fans to all athletic events and they give students a break from school with the dances and concerts! Grab your group of friends and go support athletic teams and events happening in the community.
10. Don't get behind in culture credits.
Instead, get ahead your freshman year!!! In order to graduate, you have to obtain 24 culture credits by graduation, 3 credits a semester. You receive culture credits when you attend a play, art show, lecture, or anything that is tagged with a credit. Please do not wait until last minute to try and get all 24. I know too many seniors who are in the middle of their senior year with 10 still to go. This creates an unreasonable amount of stress on you, so don't get behind. Try to get as many as you can your first two years, so that your last two years you don't have to stress out about them. Culture credits are not difficult to get, you just have to make the conscious decision to take the time out of your day to fill out a piece of paper, swipe your card, and, well, get a little cultured.
11. Have plenty of snacks in your room.
There is nothing worse than coming back from the library at 3 in the morning to the C store and subway being closed when you're starving. Load up on snacks, because college makes you hungry. We all know that hungry leads to hangry and remember you have a roommate that you have to live with all year. Food makes everything better (who cares about the freshman 15, it's like a right of passage). Also, food can make you the most popular girl/boy on your floor. It is very easy to make friends when you have food, the friends will flow right in! The freshman dorms are packed tight with hungry college students, take advantage and offer them some of your food. I can definitely say I have made some friends over food my years at BSC.
12. Call/text your parents often.
Now I know I am not your mom and I don't want to nag you incoming freshman, but please call your parents, siblings, grandparents, and whoever else is important in your life often! Freshman year is crazy busy, and it is easy to get so caught up that you forget to call your parents. Don't forget. While you're walking to or from your class, call your parents. Tell them about your day or the quiz that you have later. I promise that the little gesture will mean the world to them. My mom balls her eyes out whenever I leave, even though this is my third year leaving, and I know how much her and my father appreciate me calling them. (Side note: When your mom is crying as they are dropping you off, don't make fun of her. Let her hug you one hundred times, and just enjoy that time with her) Your parents are so proud of you, but miss you like crazy. Don't forget about all of the hard work they did and are doing to put you through school!
13. Don't let the cafeteria scare you.
You thought you were out of high school didn't you? Well, you were wrong, HAHA. I'm just kidding, but seriously, the BSC cafeteria can be slightly intimidating. It closely resembles High School Musicalin that all the groups sit at tables together. There is a soccer table, a baseball table, a swimming table, Greek life tables, football tables, and so on. However, unlike High School Musical, it is okay to sit at these designated tables. The thing I love most about BSC is how friendly people are. I change where I sit almost everyday. I sit at my sorority's table, the soccer table, the baseball table, the football tables, and really wherever I want to sit based off of my friends that are currently in the cafeteria. After a few weeks you will find yourself having friends in every group on campus. From the outsider's point of view, we may seem cliquey. However, I can honestly say that everyone I know is friends with people outside of their group. So don't be intimated, sit where you want, and make new friends! If all else fails, come sit with me at the soccer table (I will sneak you in)!
Freshman year at Birmingham-Southern will be one of the greatest years of your life, if you live it up to its potential. Fill your time here with friends, activities, food, and memories. Listen to us old people when we give you advice, we have been there and done it all. We have embarrassing and proud moments from our years here and wouldn't trade them for anything. Finally, don't be afraid to ask for help. We were once the wide-eyed freshman looking up to the upperclassmen for help. You're going to have a spectacular year, we all believe in you!
