Recently I completed my freshman year of college, and boy, what an experience. It was a completely new learning environment and I can't believe how much I learned. In an effort to save time, here are the ten biggest lessons I learned from my first year of college.
1. Everyone is in the same boat
For me, the scariest part of starting school was that I was alone, that I wouldn't be able to make any friends and that I would stick out. Despite being told time and time again that everyone had these same feelings, it didn't really click until the first day when I saw all the other freshman looking as uneasy and uncomfortable as me. Therefore, I cannot stress this enough, everyone is feeling as nervous as you.
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2. Making friends is pretty easy
In addition to being nervous, not being able to make friends was my greatest fear. However, I learned that it's actually really simple. You pretty much just have to go up to someone and say "hello." Most colleges also have the freshman come a few days early so they can get acclimated to the campus, which is the perfect opportunity to make new friends.
3. Bathrooms
If you're lucky, you never have to worry about the horror that is communal bathrooms. If I thought sharing two bathrooms between four other people at home was bad, it was nothing like sharing one with a whole floor of people. You lose all sense privacy and it's kinda like a public bathroom, except you have to see these people on a daily basis. Therefore, you know when exactly someone didn't wash their hands. The main thing is, everyone is experiencing this loss of privacy too, and you just have to do your own things without worrying too much about everyone else.
4. Roommates
Photo by Living with a roommate can be a challenge, especially if you've never had to share a room before. The first few weeks are super awkward, but after a while, you figure out a system and learn to cohabit the same space. Just be mindful of them and their space and you'll be fine. And if you're lucky, your roommate ends up being your best friend.
5. College food
Food at college is like food in high school, some days it's good, but most, not really. One difference, though, you pretty much get 24-hour access to food. Which, in my opinion, is the best part of being at school. However, if you find yourself craving a home cooked meal, make sure you have all the pots and pans necessary to make something in the kitchen. Also, make sure you have plenty of easy-to-make foods in your room, in case you don't want to leave your room and/or just want a quick snack.
6. Professors
The most drastic difference between high school and college were the professors. Some professors let you call them by their first name, something I never actually did, and above all, professors do not care if you're there or not. They also won't hold your hand or make sure you hand in assignments. Some professors don't even tell you due dates because they're in the syllabus. That being said, professors are always there if you need help, and are more than willing to find times to meet with you. Professors aren't there to control you or tell you what to do, they're there to teach, whether you're there or not.
7. Classes
College classes are great. Four
8. Netflix
Netflix is a great way to chill-out and relax between or after class, but only in moderation. There are so many times when I decided to watch one more episode instead of starting on that paper or studying for that exam. Despite this, Netflix is a great way to reward yourself for doing work. Did you finish up all the homework for one class? Sweet, go watch one episode. Regardless of when you watch Netflix, just make sure that you have enough time to do all the work that needs to be done.
9. Self-discipline
For most people, college is the first time you get to be on your own, without actually being on your own. You don't have parents or teachers or other adults monitoring what you should or shouldn't be doing. So this means that you have to decide to go to class, you have to decide if you do your work, you have to decide what to do and when to do it. You also have to take care of everything that goes wrong too. Something wrong with your financial aid? You have to go meet with the people. Need a tutor? Go sign up for one. This is the first time you get to test out being an adult, if you make mistakes, oh well, as long as you learn from them.
10. Being yourself
The most important lesson I learned from my freshman year of school; be yourself. Don't let how you think you should act or how you think people expect you to act, ruin your college experience. Just be yourself and do you own thing. If you're worried that people will judge you, don't be. Like I said before, everyone is in the same boat and they're too busy with their own life to be worried about yours. If you act like yourself, you'll have an easier time finding people to spend time with.
College is a whole other world in itself. As long as you find some great friends and don't stress too much, it can be an amazing time.
