The transition between high school and college is... Well, to put it lightly: rough. This infamous passage that many of us go through requires a change in habits, self awareness for correcting and bettering ourselves, and a tremendous amount of learning both inside and outside of the classroom. Nothing I heard from others could have prepared me for what was to come, both positive and negative.
I learned that ...
It's crucial to find a system that works for you - and stick with it.
Everything about college is different. The teaching style, the way you take notes, how you study for exams, the deeper level of understanding each class requires, and the list goes on. While it may take some time, it is so important to find a method of note taking, organizing your papers, and studying for exams. And once you find that EUREKA! moment, stick with it, live by it, do not stray from it.
What works for you may not work for others, and vice versa.
My roommate and I were on entirely different schedules. I would wake up early, go about my business and do most of my studying during the day and early evening, then be in bed by midnight; my roommate, however, stayed up till nearly 3am every night working on her various tasks. I for one certainly couldn't have stayed up as late as she did, and I don't think she would've been too happy waking up around 7am like I did. And that's totally fine.
Time management is everything.
Unlike high school, you aren't going to school for 8 hours a day straight. You'll have a handful of classes each day, most likely with a break in between. DO NOT let these hours get the best of you! Go to the library between classes and get started on whatever you need for the class you just came from. It'll make things easier and less stressful in the long run, and chances are, you'll have more time to relax later in the day than if you watched Netflix during those breaks.
There's plenty of room to have fun, but don't forget why you're there.
Yes, it's "the best four years of our lives" and there are so many incredible experiences to be had and lifelong friendships to make, but the bottom line is this: you're at school for a reason. Don't let your grades drop in exchange for your booming social life, and don't forget the end goal.
If given the chance, I would take back ...
Saying no too often.
So many times, I was either too tired or too worried about upcoming deadlines and getting ahead to go out with my friends when they asked. And while the high grades and low stress levels were great, I ended up missing out on a lot of experiences. In hindsight, I could've spared a couple hours less of sleep in exchange for a night out.
Not getting involved on campus.
The school where I went freshman year was massive, with nearly 40,000 undergraduate students and over 1,000 student organizations. With just a little more searching and effort, I could've gotten involved in amazing organizations and forged so many friendships - but I was scared and it all seemed so overwhelming. Don't get discouraged, the perfect organizations for you are out there - and if not, create one!
Luckily, I've been given the chance to attend my dream school and do it all over again, but better this time. With a year of experience under my belt, I know how to handle the difficult workload that lies ahead, and I get to make up for what I lost my freshman year.
Here's to another year and new beginnings.
