Everything has an end to it. Jobs, school, life... But everything also has a beginning. For most beginnings, it starts with it being the first year at someplace. The first year is the best in some cases, but in others, it's the year that started you on the next part of your journey.
This first year of college has gone by so fast, I'm sure that there was some kind of magic performed. Wasn't it just yesterday that I was walking onto campus? Didn't I just have my first day of classes last week? I swear it was just a month ago that we were finishing J-term.
It all goes by so fast. But there are also so many adventures that you get to go on that first year. So, here are some tips on making your way through the first year of college.
1. Don't be afraid to get out there
I'm kind of an introvert. I love siting in my own space doing my own thing. Not always the best thing to do in college, because then you'll eventually get bored. So, don't be afraid to get up and go see what the campus has to offer. There are so many things for you to do that it's crazy! You love community service and helping people out? There's something for that and so much more. You could also just have a good day by going to the coffee shop and making friends!
2. Take pictures
You're in college, a grown-up, and this time is going to fly by faster than you can believe. My best tip is for you to take as many pictures as possible to help you remember all the good times. Like seriously do not be afraid to whip your phone out and take a picture of your favorite tree because that's a memory, no matter how small it is.
3. Live on campus
I lived on campus for the first semester of the first year, and I gotta say that I really truly enjoyed the heck out of it. My roommate was the bomb dot com, the dorm I was in was freaking beautiful, our RA's were all amazing, and there were so many dorm activities to go to. It was like having a huge family in one building, and I didn't even get a chance to meet everyone because there were that many people. It was well worth it! But be warned that you might get sick more often since there are a ton of people. STILL WORTH IT!
4. Take the opportunities presented to you
I've noticed that in college there are a lot of different opportunities presented for the students to do. Go to that conference, that trip to Europe during J-term, go to that organization's meeting, become a part of the campus life. It's so easy to get lost in yourself and in your homework that you don't take some of the best opportunities presented to you. One of the best things I did was take the opportunity to go to the NSEA (Nebraska Student Education Association) spring conference. It was amazing, and I am so glad that I went. There might be opportunities that you take and end up not like - but that's okay too. It's still an amazing learning experience that you may only get once.
College is amazing, life is amazing, you just got to get out there and take control of it. Do what you want to do in your life and make the most of it. Don't be afraid of those chances and opportunities, because you may not get them again. You're going to grow so much within the first year of college, and that's okay. You're just becoming the person you want to be.
