Lessons From My Freshman Year | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

Lessons From My Freshman Year

Thank you, freshman year, for giving me one of the best years yet.

8
Lessons From My Freshman Year
McKenzie Julian

It's hard to believe that freshman year is already over. It really flew by. I thought senior year went by fast. This seemed to happen even faster, which is hard to believe. It seems like just yesterday I was attending orientation. Now, freshman year is over and I'm that much closer to entering the real world. Here are just a few things I've learned over the past year.

First, community takes time. You won't find your best friends within the first week. In fact, it always seems to be changing. You're constantly meeting new people. Don't be worried if you don't feel like you belong during your first month, or even your first semester. Community doesn't happen over night. It takes time to build deep and meaningful relationships, but those friendships are worth it.

Get involved! Whatever you do, don't just spend your time in your time. Go to events in your building. Take part in intramurals. Join some clubs. Getting involved allows you to meet so many people that you wouldn't have met otherwise and it gives you opportunities for you to grow and learn.

Don't be afraid to try something new. It doesn't have to be big. You may try something for the first time in college and find a passion for it. You can learn a lot from experiencing new things and trying things that may scare you. Challenge yourself.

Find balance. This can be extremely difficult in college. You want to make sure you spend a lot of time studying and getting the best grades you can, but you also want to do more than study. You want to be able to be involved in the community and attend events and meetings. You want to spend quality time with your friends and continue to grow and deepen those relationships. You want to go on adventures. Try not to spend so much time on one part of your life that you forget to live out the other parts.

It's okay to do things on your own. I remember in high school, no one ever wanted to eat alone in the cafeteria. While it's still nice to sit with friends, it's also okay to sit alone. Sometimes it's nice just taking a break and relaxing from all the things you need to do. Don't be afraid to go to the coffee shop by yourself, to the library by yourself, to the local park or anywhere else by yourself. Sometimes you just need time alone, and that's okay.

Take every opportunity presented to you. You may be rejected and turned down, but you make get accepted and be able to pursue that opportunity further. Don't be afraid to take a chance because you're too scared that you're not good enough or not qualified enough. You'll never know unless you try, and you can always learn something from trying.

College is honestly the best part of my life so far. It's so different and unique and challenges you in ways you couldn't even imagine. Enjoy your freshman year while you can and take it all in because it won't last forever.

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

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

71717
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

4784
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
Health and Wellness

10 Hygiene Tips For All College Athletes

College athletes, it's time we talk about sports hygiene.

8395
Woman doing pull-ups on bars with sun shining behind her.

I got a request to talk about college athletes hygiene so here it is.

College athletes, I get it, you are busy! From class, to morning workouts, to study table, to practice, and more. But that does not excuse the fact that your hygiene comes first! Here are some tips when it comes to taking care of your self.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments