Tips For Incoming Freshmen From An Outgoing Senior | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

Tips For Incoming Freshmen From An Outgoing Senior

Embrace the drama and mistakes.

24
Tips For Incoming Freshmen From An Outgoing Senior
Collider

This year I will be a senior. I'm coming to the end of my college career and, though it doesn't give me much authority to tell others what they should do, through my multitude of mistakes I know what incoming freshmen should never do. Here is some of advice from a wizened senior who is just as frightened of the future as many of you are.

1. Just because you woke up at 7 a.m. growing up doesn't mean you should take an 8 a.m. class.

Don't ask me to explain this one. In my book it is one of the unexplainable mysteries of the universe. Maybe it's the independence or the lack of a living alarm clock in the form of a parent who doesn't have a snooze button, but after the first couple of weeks your 8 o'clock classes will feel like a death sentence. Take this from the guy who, first semester, had a two hour Biology lab early in the morning.


2. You don't have to make friends.

Now, this doesn't mean don't make friends, but many adults and teachers perpetuate the myth that these people will be your friends for the rest of your life, putting a lot of stress on an already stressful situation. So let me be one person telling you it is OK to not make lifelong friends your first year of college. I have very few friends that stuck around from those initial first months and even the ones that weathered the storm had there low points.


3. The drama is OK.

I know you probably won't follow my last tip, and make a ton of "friends" from around the dorm and your classes. This is to be expected. You are all in a very similar place in your life and you will latch on to each other like otters joining arms trying to keep from floating away into the great unknown, but there will be drama. You will think that you left it all behind in High School, but get this much confusion in one place and there will be gossip and fights.


4. Speak your mind.

Do it just because you can. Now, don't be a jerk and don't aim it at anyone in particular, but it's good to have opinions and now is as good a time as any to share them. It may actually help find groups of like-minded people. Be responsible and smart, but in college you can be as loud as you want.

5. Find people who think differently.

As people are sharing their beliefs and opinions, it is nice to have a few that think the same way as you do, but get out there as well. Trying something new is a lot easier when there is someone completely different from you bringing their insight into your life. It expands your thinking and your perceptions of self and what you want in your future.

Freshman year is a time full of confusion, drama, and mistakes, accept it. Don't let a missed class or a subpar grade get you down, just learn from it. That is truly the only important part. Yeah there will be days that you are extremely depressed and feel like dropping out, or that you feel like you are completely failing, but it is all ok, even necessary to become the person that will be successful on the other side of it.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Adulting

18 Things I Want To Do Now That I'm 18

I'm technically an adult, so I'm legally required to live a little, right?

2457
Happy Birthday Cake

For the entirety of my high school career, I was always seen as the goody-two-shoes. I never got in trouble with a teacher, I kept stellar grades, and when I wasn't doing extracurricular activities, I was at home studying. Even when I did go out, it was usually with a bunch of fellow band geeks. The night would end before 11:00 PM and the only controversial activity would be a fight based on who unfairly won a round of Apples-to-Apples when someone else clearly had a better card (I promise I'm not still holding a grudge).

Now that I'm officially an adult, I want to pursue some new things. I want to experience life in a way that I never allowed myself to do prior to entering college. These are the years that I'm supposed to embark on a journey of self-discovery, so what better way to do that than to create a bucket list?

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics

The holiday classics that shaped my life

1474
10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics
Flickr

The holiday season is full of stress, debt, and forced conversation. While we rush through the month of December, it's important to take a step back and enjoy the moments before they're gone. Most families love to watch Christmas movies, but these beloved films provide more than entertainment. Here are 10 life lessons that I've learned from the holiday classics we watch every year.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

200721
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

21229
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments