Dear Incoming Freshmen:
You’ve heard the saying about how high school would be the best four years of your life. Well, you’re in for a bit of a surprise, because college will blow those four years out of the water.
You may be nervous, a little anxious or unsure what to expect, but that’s okay. Trust me, you are definitely not alone. You are beginning a new part of your life, and while it may seem daunting, a plethora of other high school graduates are in the same boat as you. Think of college as a new opportunity; you have a clean, blank slate and a fresh start.
You are finally getting to embrace the independence that you have been seeking for so long. Now, you have the freedom to choose your own classes, shop for your own groceries, decide your own curfew and choose whether or not you are going to eat ramen noodles for the umpteenth time this week or opt for pizza rolls instead. As you embark on this exciting new time in your life, learning how to balance a newly-gained independence alongside new responsibilities, keep in mind that there are a few key things to remember. Here are the top 11 to assist in making your freshman year of college a success.
1. Don’t overpack.
Not only are you living in a small dorm room, but you will collect quite a few things throughout the school year. Trust me, you don’t need to bring your entire wardrobe or your whole book collection-- opt for a Kindle; it takes up little to no space and will fulfill all of your reading needs. Don’t feel as if you have to buy every single thing on the “back to school” lists-- you more than likely won’t use all of it. Think of what you use on a regular basis at home or in school; you don’t need an exuberant amount of office supplies or dorm room decor. Get in contact with your roommates and find out what they are bringing. You may be able to share some things and cut down your packing list.
2. Let your family help move you in.
It’s okay to let your mom make your bed and organize your clothes in your dresser. Embrace the awkward first conversations between your roommate’s family and yours. Don’t be embarrassed when your dad makes lame jokes in an attempt to ease your nerves. While I’m sure you’re excited for this new step in your life, remember that your parents have a child leaving the nest. While this new start may be hard for you, it will be much harder for them to drive away at the end of the day, leaving you at your new home.
3. Speaking of your parents, call home.
Seriously. You may feel like an adult, having moved out and begun a new, independent life outside of your childhood home, but respect the fact that your parents dedicated 18+ years of their lives to raising you and getting you to this point. Even if it’s just a quick call to tell your mom how you did on an exam, she will appreciate it. Oh, and make sure to text your parents a “first day of school” picture; they will love it...trust me. And, never forget to call and say thank you when you receive care packages and letters from home!
4. Just because you took 7 classes in high school doesn’t mean you can do it in college.
Don’t overwhelm yourself right off the bat. Ease into college and test the waters a little bit. Find out what number of credits is comfortable for you. Also, keep in mind how heavy your course load is. For example, you might not want to take general chemistry, calculus and principles of biology at the same time during your first semester. Sure, you may want to get a head start on general education requirements and classes you need for your major, but don’t dive in head first with a crazy heavy schedule and course load. Learn how much you can comfortably juggle at once, and don’t overwhelm yourself right away. Not only are you easing into the academics, but you are also learning how to live away from home, and so you need to give yourself time to adjust. That said, many colleges suggest taking the minimum 12 hours/semester. If you take too few courses, you’ll be on the five-year plan. So, have a plan and stick to it in order to avoid surprises at the end, finding that you may be a couple of courses short.
5. Visit your professors during their office hours.
If you’re struggling with a class, or have a brief question, visit your professor. Your professors have this time set aside just for this purpose, so take advantage of it. Your professor will see just how dedicated you are to their class and your coursework, and it can mean the difference of a letter grade, if it comes down to it.
6. College academics will push you.
Getting a good GPA in high school may have been fairly easy for you, but it may not be that way in college. Know that your hard work may sometimes mean getting a C in a class-- even after receiving tutoring and visiting with the professor. The first semester of college is often the hardest, as you try to get in the groove of things, find your place, join clubs, focus on classwork and learn how to live without your parents. While your GPA is important, it isn’t everything.
7. Go to class.
I can’t express this enough. Some professors have attendance policies, and others do not. But either way, it is so incredibly important to go to class. Your professor will see you there and recognize your seriousness about the class, and you won’t have to worry about missing a new or changed deadline for a vital homework assignment or exam. Most importantly, course lectures prepare you much better than simply reading the textbook or borrowing someone else’s notes and trying to decipher their handwriting and the intention of individualized note-taking abbreviations. While it’s easy to give into the temptation to snooze your alarm for your 9 a.m. class, don’t. Life will be a lot easier if you attend your classes.
8. Frequent the gym.
Coming from someone who never used to work out, I have come to enjoy going to the gym. Not only does exercise relieve stress, but it will give you a chance to take a break from school work, listen to a great workout mix and watch a Netflix show, all while keeping off the “freshman 15.” You may not think so now, but you will lose self control when it comes to late night snacking and going on frequent fast food runs-- especially during finals week-- so take advantage of the gym on campus.
9. Do your laundry.
Don’t let your dirty clothes pile up in the corner of your room. I know that life can be busy and laundry may seem like the least of your concerns, but you will be so glad when you have clean clothes and fresh sheets on a regular basis. Get on a schedule and have a set “laundry day” each week. Also, don’t start your laundry late on Sunday night, or during the normal busy time for other college students. You don’t want your clean clothes tossed on the filthy floor by someone else wanting to use the machines. When you finally get around to taking your clean clothes and bedding out of the dryer, you will have zero motivation to make your bed at 1 a.m.-- especially after your roommate is already asleep, and you still have an assignment to finish for class the next morning. When you do do your laundry, fold it right after it’s done. Trust me when I say that your clean clothes will sit in your laundry basket for a few days if you don’t put it away immediately, and everything will wrinkle. I know all of these things from experience, so believe me when I say that laundry is important.
10. Get involved on campus.
Find a couple clubs to join, attend campus events or get a job. It’s important to find some things to do on and off campus, but don’t overwhelm yourself. Unlike high school, it’s impossible to be involved in a dozen things at once. Find a balance of activities; this will help battle homesickness and also allow you to meet new people, enjoy new experiences and learn new skills.
11. You will feel stressed or overwhelmed at some point.
And that’s okay. College can be a lot, so know that you aren’t alone. It may be finals week or even the first couple days of classes, but you aren’t the only one who is feeling the weight of the world all at once. Seek out an R.A., campus counselor, friend, professor or peer listener to vent. If you are on good terms with a professor and go to class regularly, they may give you an extension on an assignment. If you’re feeling homesick, call home. Sometimes a quick chat with mom can help everything. Just know that it’s okay for you not to be okay, but find the resources to help bring you out of the funk. Find a happy place-- whether that be with a friend, in the library, the campus coffee shop or a local park-- and relax. When you’re overwhelmed, it’s good to take some time to focus on yourself by watching a couple of favorite television episodes, starting a book you’ve been putting off or listening to your favorite stress-free music.
College should be a wonderful time in your life where you will grow independently, learn exponentially, and develop intellectually. Be safe, have fun and enjoy it. The time will fly by.
