The most daunting time of college is finally over for me: freshman year. My first year of college was full of learning experiences, new adventures, and lots of work. College is a new environment for many, and adjusting to it can take some time. Here are some things I learned throughout my freshman year at college.
It's okay to be nervous.
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This is the first time that you're going to be stepping foot on college as a student. It's okay to be nervous about all the small things such as the location of your classes, how your professors are going to be, and even if the food will be any good. This is a totally new atmosphere for you, meaning it will take some time to adjust. Don't worry if you don't make friends as quickly as you'd like. Everyone is most likely in their first year shock. Living away from home for the first time can be very scary, and even if you are commuting to school, college is a whole new ball game from high school.
Time management is key
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The college workload is nothing compared to high school work. Professors expect more from you, assignments take longer, and exams are much harder. The key to managing all these new expectations and workload is to plan! Having either a digital or physical planner will be a lot of help during your time at college. Make sure you make time for down time and relaxation so you don't burn yourself out too quickly. From my own mistake of not planning my time out, I learned just how important it is to have good time management skills. If you're not careful, you might start missing a homework assignment or two here and there from not planning your time accordingly resulting in a lower GPA for the semester. If planning is the last thing you want to do, then designate a time everyday that you work on assignments and study. It's better than nothing at all, and your grades and mental health will thank you later.
It's okay if you're not taking as many credits as everyone else
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Freshman year is already hard enough when it comes to adjusting to a new environment. Students around you are very eager and motivated to take on the hardest, most loaded course schedule, and you might feel pressured to do the same thing. It's totally okay if you are not taking on as many credits as your peers. From my own experience, taking a lighter course load helped me to adjust faster to college. It can even giver you a higher GPA for the semester because you're not taking on as many courses and focusing more attention to the courses you are taking. You have more time to get involved on campus and even hold down a part time job and make some money during the semester. Don't feel pressured to overload your schedule and try to enjoy your time in college.
If you don't know what to major in, that's okay
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If you're coming into your freshman year of college not knowing or unsure of what to major in, that's totally okay! Many colleges have requirements of what courses you must take in order to graduate. If you're unsure of what to major in, then during your first semesters, take mainly the courses you need to graduate and maybe a course or two in something that interests you. Some colleges don't require you to officially declare a major until your second or third year of study, so there's really no rush in trying to declare a major you're unsure of. When you're taking general courses that go towards the graduation requirements, make sure to get the highest GPA you can. The general graduation courses are usually a little easier than courses that goes towards a major, so try your hardest to get a high grade. Don't feel overwhelmed by your peers who already have a major and even plans for graduate school. If you're thinking about maybe furthering your education past undergraduate studies with things such as med school, law school, or even graduate school, one of the most important things is to have a relatively high GPA, so while you're taking your general courses, don't slack and put in the effort.
Time moves fast
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When you first step foot on campus in the fall semester, you might feel like you have plenty of time to enjoy everything college has to offer. The weeks ahead of you seem to be endless, and while you're studying for midterms, time might feel as if it's standing still. But, before you know it, spring semester will be coming to an end, along with your first year of college. High school might've went by quickly, but once you finish your first year of college, you'll realize just how fast time moves in college. My best advice is to enjoy every moment. Go to those club fairs, dance performances, and football games. Soak in everything college has to offer. Take pictures and videos of fun moments with your friends. Study hard, but also give yourself some breaks. Time moves fast, so don't take anything for granted.
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