Last year was my first year of college. I graduated with only 32 in my class. Going from such a small school with the same friends that I had since I was in pre-school, was a big adjustment. My first year was not a very smooth year. I was scared and worried that I was not going to make it, with all the extra work and not meeting any new friends. What I wish people would tell you in High School instead of the cookie cutter "college is great" speech, is that you are going to get home sick, you're going to wish you were in your own bed, and that showering in bare feet is a luxury.
What I would like to tell all the freshman coming in is that you kinda have to put yourself out there. In High School if your peers knew you as the quiet one, you can change all that. You can join any club, try out for a sports team and try to be more out going. The big thing in college is that everyone else has the same feeling as you do. Everyone who is on your suite floor is worried about not making friends., If you have something that makes you insecure or feel "different", just remember everyone has something in their life that makes them feel different. I have a stutter and I was so worried about people not accepting me, but I ended up with so many friends who will forever be my friends. You absolutely have to put your self out there in order to make friends. When all else fails and you still don't have friends you always have your trusty roommate. You need to get on the same page with your roommate to begin with anyway. I guarantee your roommate is hesitant of you, he/she has no idea who the heck you are. They don't know if you are a total slob, a neat freak, or if you will straight up steal from them. Meet your roommate ahead of time and get to know them. Text, snapchatt, facebook message .We live in a world where you can talk to anyone. You can take 10 minutes out of your day to get to know your roommate. Remember you will be living with that person for one year. Who knows you could be have a ever lasting friendship.
In order to survive your first year you need to:
A. Make friends, it makes the transition easier.
B. Manage your time. Buy a planner, get sticky notes and write your stuff down! The professors are not going to hold your hand and remind you about homework. It's not like high school.
C. Learn the college lingo. No progress reports, report cards, and teachers. You now have semesters, GPA, and professors.
D. You are now on your own. Mommy is no longer there to tell you to wake up and go to class. You might need to invest in an alarm clock. You will also need to do your own laundry, so you better learn. Word to the wise, the tide pods are the best thing ever invented if you have no idea what you are doing.
Your first year is going to be fun, scary, exciting and also stressful. Remember budget your time, make lots of friends, and have the time of your life. You are an adult!
