9 Thoughts Of Every Incoming College Freshman | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

9 Thoughts Every Incoming Freshman is Having

Whether you knew you where you were going to college since birth, or since sometime in May, the prospect is still terrifying.

268
9 Thoughts Every Incoming Freshman is Having
Olivia Hawkins

In This Article:

1. Will I make friends at Orientation?

Giphy

I came to orientation knowing no one, only vaguely recognizing people from Instagram. Maybe you were active in the GroupMe and had found some pals to hang out with there, or maybe your friends from home were there, too. But for me, I had to go around and awkwardly insert myself and introduce myself. If being marched around campus wasn't exhausting enough, the emotional toll that the awkwardness took definitely did the trick.

In reality, you'll probably make a whole new group of friends once you get on campus. It won't be hard to find your niche, and the awkwardness will subside after a while.

2. I hope my roommate isn't a weirdo.

Giphy

We've all heard the horror stories. Roommates that prefer to live in squalor, don't shower, and don't contribute can make tensions rise between roommates. Luckily, this is usually the minority. As long as you're honest about your habits and preferences and communicate, things should go swimmingly.

I got to meet my roommate before orientation. I was so nervous! We got along great over text and seemed to be pretty similar, but what if I hated her in real life?! Thankfully, my fears were unfounded and we got along great! I can't wait to tackle the beast of living together with her!

3. My 4.0 in high school will make college a breeze.

Giphy

Wrong. As much as you hated hearing your high school teachers say it, college is a totally different ballgame. People who slacked off in high school can get 4.0's and people with straight A's in high school can end up failing out. It's all about the work that you put into it.

Most professors are pretty flexible and are willing to give you some wiggle room. However, you have to show that you're making an effort and are committed to doing well.

4. The Freshman 15 is a myth.

Giphy

NOT A MYTH. When I first started living on a college campus, I gained fifteen pounds. This quickly turned into the Freshman 40.

It's easy to overeat because people are going to eat literally all the time. It also doesn't help that most of the campus food is really bad for you. It's a fragile balance, but if you watch what you eat, maybe you can stave off the pounds.

5. I can do this all by myself.

Giphy

As strong and as independent as you'll feel when finally being out in the real world, you'll need some help.

Whether this be family, friends, professors, or counselors, you need someone who will be there for you, whether you need help or just someone to talk to. College and living on your own are stressful at times and if you don't vent, you'll eventually feel like you're going to explode. Make sure you have a support system.

6. I can totally skip class. No attendance!

Giphy

We've all skipped classes before, that's a given. But it isn't exactly the smartest move in college. Some professors do, in fact, take attendance. Some even grade you on it! But even if your professor doesn't care about attendance, it's still smart to go. You're missing lecture time that you paid for, and potentially things that could be on exams.

7. I don't know what I want to do.

Giphy

You're not alone in this feeling of uncertainty. College is the first step to beginning your career and the rest of your life. Not only do you have to pick a major, but there are so many other things you can do that it can become overwhelming.

It's best to prioritize things that you really care about doing, not just for the resume boost. In addition, you should pick a major that you fall in love with. College gives you the opportunity to explore fields you may not have even known existed. Don't sweat the indecisiveness too much, everyone has it.

8. I can totally handle an 8 A.M. class.

Giphy

This one definitely doesn't apply to everyone.

I am a habitual night owl. Going to sleep at 1 in the morning is early for me. However, in high school, I woke up every morning at 5:30 to catch the bus, so I thought 7:30 was going to be a breeze. I can't express how wrong I was. I honestly question how I was able to function my last semester when I was forced to take an 8 a.m. physics course.

If you value your sanity and have the option, don't take the 8 a.m.

9. Studying probably won't even be that different than in high school.

Giphy

WRONG.

Unless you have a photographic memory and/or are a flat-out genius, you will definitely need to set out a defined time for nothing but studying. Blowing off a few assignments can dig a hole that you likely will not be able to dig yourself out of.

In addition, many people have trouble with good study habits. A good rule of thumb I've learned is to study the material to the point where you can teach it to someone else.

Good luck to all in their freshman years!

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
college just ahead sign
Wordpress

1. You will have that special "college" look to you.

2. You will feel like an adult but also feeling like a child.

3. You will have classes that are just the professor reading from their lecture slides for an hour.

4. You will need to study but also want to hang out with your friends.

5. Coffee is your best friend.

6. You don't know what you're doing 99% of the time.

7. You will procrastinate and write a paper the night before it is due.

8. Money is a mythical object.

9. It is nearly impossible to motivate yourself to go to classes during spring.

10. The food pyramid goes out the window.

11. You will have at least one stress induced breakdown a semester.

12. Most lecture classes will bore you to tears.

13. You will not like all of your professors.

14. You will try to go to the gym... but you will get too lazy at some point.

15. When you see high school students taking tours:

16. You will try to convince yourself that you can handle everything.

17. Finals week will try to kill you.

18. You won't like everyone, but you will find your best friends sooner or later.

19. You actually have to go to class.

20. Enjoy it, because you will be sad when it is all over.

girl with a hat

This is for the girls who have dealt with an emotionally, mentally, physically or verbally abusive father.

The ones who have grown up with a false lens of what love is and how relationships should be. The ones who have cried themselves to sleep wondering why he hurts you and your family so much. This is for all the girls who fall in love with broken boys that carry baggage bigger than their own, thinking it's their job to heal them because you watched your mother do the same.

Keep Reading...Show less
Blair Waldorf Quote
"DESTINY IS FOR LOSERS. IT'S JUST A STUPID EXCUSE TO WAIT FOR THINGS TO HAPPEN INSTEAD OF MAKING THEM HAPPEN." - BLAIR WALDORF.

The world stopped in 2012 when our beloved show "Gossip Girl" ended. For six straight years, we would all tune in every Monday at 9:00 p.m. to see Upper Eastside royalty in the form of a Burberry headband clad Blair Waldorf. Blair was the big sister that we all loved to hate. How could we ever forget the epic showdowns between her and her frenemy Serena Van Der Woodsen? Or the time she banished Georgina Sparks to a Christian summer camp? How about that time when she and her girls took down Bart Bass? Blair is life. She's taught us how to dress, how to be ambitious, and most importantly, how to throw the perfect shade.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

11 Moments Every College Freshman Has Experienced

Because we made it, and because high school seniors deserve to know what they're getting themselves into

648
too tired to care

We've all been there. From move-in day to the first finals week in college, your first term is an adventure from start to finish. In honor of college decisions coming out recently, I want to recap some of the most common experiences college freshmen experience.

1. The awkward hellos on move-in day.

You're moving your stuff onto your floor, and you will encounter people you don't know yet in the hallway. They live on your floor, so you'll awkwardly smile and maybe introduce yourself. As you walk away, you will wonder if they will ever speak to you again, but don't worry, there's a good chance that you will make some great friends on your floor!

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

21 Things I've Learned About College Life

College is not what everyone expects it to be.

333
laptop
Unsplash

The college years are a time for personal growth and success. Everyone comes in with expectations about how their life is supposed to turn out and envision the future. We all freak out when things don't go exactly as planned or when our expectations are unmet. As time goes on, we realize that the uncertainty of college is what makes it great. Here are some helpful reminders about life in college.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments