Congratulations on making it to your freshman year of college. Hang on tight because you are in for the adventure of a lifetime! If you want to breeze through your freshman year, follow these do's and don'ts to make it a little bit easier! Enjoy the next four years of your life at the college/university you get to call home for the next four years!
DO make friends with people in your dorm.
You are at a new school with new people. Why not branch out and make friends with the people who live in the same dorm as you? You never know, they might become your friends for life!
DO take time out of your day for "you" time.
There's no reason you shouldn't be taking time for yourself and allowing yourself to relax and de-stress after a long, hard day. If you don't, you will wind up burning out or getting sick which only make things worse. Take time for yourself, you deserve it!!
DO ask questions during lecture.
Do not be afraid to ask questions in lecture. Chances are there is someone else that is just as confused as you.
DO make friends with your RA.
They are there to help guide you through your freshman year and are always there if you need someone to talk to.
DO call you parents!
All they want is to hear your voice and hear about all the exciting things that you are up to now that you are away at school. At least try and make it a decent conversation.
DO get to know your professors.
Even if you do not like a certain professor, chances are if you need some extra credit they will most likely give you some if you get to know them. You never know, your professor could round your grade up if you show that you care and want their help.
DO get involved around campus.
This is your chance to break out from your everyday friend group and meet new people. You get to be part of some fun and different types of clubs and organizations on campus.
DO go to sporting events!
Even if you have the greatest team in the country or the worst that does not matter because the games are still a lot of fun and you will make a ton of memories. Take advantage of going to the games because they are usually free for students.
DO have the time of your life!!
These are the next four years that you will remember for the rest of your life! So get up, go out, make some memories and have a boat load of fun! You will want the "college years" back once you leave your home away from home.
DON'T be anti-social.
Get up, get out of that cramped and stuffy dorm room and make some new friends. Isn't this one of the reasons you went away to college, to make new friends?
DON'T wear your lanyard around your neck!
If you do not want to be singled out as the "typical" freshman you will by all means NOT wear your lanyard around your neck with you ID card hanging from it. Just don't!
DON'T make partying your #1 priority.
You are at college for a reason: to get an education, not to waste away your parents' money — or however you are paying for your education — on partying and going out every night. Doing this will start to reflect in your grades and your relationships with some of your friends.
DON'T force a friendship with your roommates.
If your roommate(s) do not have any interest in being your friend, most likely they have no intention of becoming your friend. Do not try and change this because it might not work out in your favor and chances are you might be moving out come spring semester. You never know they could have a change of heart and wind up being your best friend.
DON'T forget about your friends and family back home.
These are the people that know you better than anyone else does and have been there for you from the start. Pick up the phone and call, do not text, to see how one is doing and what they have been up to since you have been away at school. No one likes to be forgotten about!
DON'T major in something that you have no interest in.
This is your future, so do what you want and major in something that you have a passion for and know that you will succeed in the long run. This is your time to become the person you have been dreaming of becoming.
DON'T skip class all the time!
This will hurt you in the end because you never know when a professor is going to give everyone extra credit, the answers to the study guide, or even some helpful hints as to what is going to be on the next exam. Even if it is the worst class on the face of the earth, go because you never know what you are going to miss. It is okay to skip sometimes if you are not feeling well or have a migraine but do not make it a habit and skip all the time.
Good Luck and have an awesome freshman year!
