A lot happens your first semester of freshman year, and none of it goes how you planned. Every single day, good or bad or absolutely the worst, teaches you something. And at the end of it all, you're a better person because of it.
1. Independence is great… once you learn how to deal with it.
Being on your own for the first time is an exciting thing--you can do whatever you want! Being independent can also be difficult, though--you can do whatever you want. Sure, nobody is telling you what parties you can and can't go to, but nobody is making sure you go to class either. It is CRUCIAL to learn the right ways to exercise your newfound independence. No, you don't have to do your homework, but your GPA really needs you to. It's important to be responsible and make the decisions that you know will benefit you in the long run, even though your bed is much more inviting than your 9 AM class.
2. Homesickness kills, so don't let it.
Being away from home for the first time is scary, especially at a school where you don't know anybody. It can feel so much easier to stay in your room texting your hometown friends instead of going out and meeting new people. Even so, going out and making new connections is the quickest way to battle homesickness. It doesn't have to involve going to a bunch of social events--just start by talking to someone in your class. Homesickness can turn into going home every weekend instead of becoming accustomed to your new environment, and ultimately staying unhappy at your school. Yes, it's scary and new, but it won't be long until you're so grateful you made yourself step out of your comfort zone.
3. Be friends with your roommate.
I know so many people that absolutely hate their roommates, to the point where they avoid their dorms at all costs. Try your best to be friends with your roommate; you'll be seeing a lot of them anyway. I don't know what I would do without my roommate; she's been there through all the all-nighters, the laughs, and the breakdowns. She's someone I can go to with anything, and I basically trust her with my life at this point. A roommate is the easiest chance to make a friend, so make it count!
4. GO TO CLASS!!!
I really can't stress this one enough. Yes, it does seem like a much better idea to sleep in and skip that boring English class. Believe me, I know. Skipping one or two classes is not the biggest deal, but it can easily become a habit. The more you do it, the more tempted you are to do it again. And again. And again. Skipping class WILL affect your grade in one way or another. Either you miss important lectures or test information, or your professor's attendance policy takes points off of your grade when you skip too many times. It sucks a lot, but DO NOT SKIP CLASS. Your GPA will thank you.
5. That group of friends comes when you least expect it.
Whether it's from a Greek organization, a study group, or a club, you WILL meet that friend group that you want so bad. No, it won't be the exact same as your best friends from high school, because obviously every person is different. But you will make the friends that are your go-to's for everything. The friends that you go to every party with, the friends you eat almost all your meals with, the friends that will pick you up when you're drunk at 3 AM. It takes time; most people don't stay close with everyone they meet the first week. But it will happen, and when it does, you'll be so thankful and realize that it was worth the wait.
6. High school really did not prepare you.
In high school, you probably didn't have to study that much. In high school, you took AP classes that you thought would be the same as their college equivalents. In high school, your teachers reminded you about every due date. In college, all of this changes. You have to actually learn and understand the material, not just memorize it. Professors like to test you on whether you can apply concepts to all different types of situations, so you really have to know your stuff. And just because you took AP Chemistry does not mean that college general chemistry is going to be a breeze. It. Gets. Harder. And finally, you have to keep up with everything yourself. When the tests are, when homework is due, when to turn in that paper. Professors expect you to take care of yourself, and they sadly won't hold your hand through their class.
7. NOBODY is worth sacrificing these four years.
College is such a unique time in everyone's lives. It's a time for growth, learning, and figuring out the kind of person that you want to be. It's a time for meeting new people, experiencing new things, and making new (sometimes stupid) decisions. It's a time for changes. Let. These. Changes. Happen. You cannot afford to be held back by anybody. Nobody is more important to you than YOU. Trying to hang on to people in this time of change will do nothing but stop you from finding out who God made you to be. Anyone who is meant to stay in your life WILL, even throughout all the changes of college. If someone drifts away or leaves, you need to let them. This is a time for you to be a little bit selfish and worry about yourself. Don't waste all of your energy trying to hang on to people that weren't meant to stay; it'll keep you from finding the ones that are coming.
