A whole new experience lies ahead for the college freshman. It’s always a good idea to have a few goals set so that you stay focused throughout the year. Everyone has different personal goals but here are some universal goals every freshman would benefit from.
1. Get outside your comfort zone
Netflix will always be there, so spending every night in your dorm room binge watching the latest show isn’t the best idea. College is a fresh start, so go out and do something you don’t normally do. There are most likely tons of activities, parties and events going on around your campus so you should take advantage of them.
2 Join at least one club or organization
Maybe you have a passion for writing so you could get a position on the school paper, or maybe you love soccer so you could join an intramural team. Whatever your interests are, there’s probably a club out there for you and if there isn’t consider making your own club. It’s better to be heavily involved and have leadership roles in one or two clubs rather than sometimes participating in five.
3. Make new friends
With so many people on campus, you’re bound to find a few people who you really connect with. Go to places you like or join clubs you support and you’ll most likely find like-minded people in those places.
4. Get to know your professors
Your professors are there because they love to teach and want to help you. Make an effort to get to know them and make sure to go to office hours if you’re struggling in their class. If you’re at a bigger school it’s harder to stand out in a class alone, so, you may have to put in a few extra hours to get noticed.
5. Learn
Use the incredible resources offered to you and focus on learning. not just getting a good grade and passing the class. You are paying actual money for your education you may as well get something out of it other than being stressed about your GPA. Any opportunity you have to learn something new, jump at it, and don’t let things pass you by.
6. Make good habits
Pulling all-nighters, gaining the freshman 15 and taking naps for hours on end are some of the worst things for your physical and mental health; they are also what college students are known for. Establish good habits early on. Try not to eat pizza every night (just because you can, does not mean you should), find a workout buddy or join an intramural sports team, and start long projects early. Consistently taking care of yourself and doing homework right away will eliminate needless stress down the line and you’ll thank yourself for it.
