What Incoming Freshmen Actually Need To Know To Survive College | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

What Incoming Freshmen Actually Need To Know To Survive College

It's the best and worst time of your life.

15
What Incoming Freshmen Actually Need To Know To Survive College
Pexels

College is a big transition. It doesn't matter if you go to a school that is 15 minutes from where your parents live or halfway across the country, its a lot different than high school. I know there is about a million different articles, tips, lists, advice, etc., that are out there online, but take it from a college freshman herself.

1. Signing up for morning classes is never a good idea

Take it from me, I made the honest freshman mistake of signing up for an 8 A.M. Now 8 A.M.'s are not all that bad, but sometimes you have no motivation to get up and go to them. Especially in the fall or winter time (if you go to a school where it gets chilly at night and in the morning during fall or somewhere up north where there is snow) you definitely will not want to leave your nice warm bed and trudge half way across campus for a class you don't like anyways.

2. ALWAYS go to class

One of the biggest mistakes you can ever make during your college career is not going to class. Professors cover a lot of material during class time, sometimes even entire chapters. It's easy to fall behind and it's even easier to get into the habit of skipping class. Although some professors do not count attendance, they do count points towards your grade.

3. Get involved on campus

Whether it's joining Greek life, clubs, organizations, sports or anything else that your college has to offer, join it. Especially when you go to a big school with a lot of students, it can feel overwhelming to figure out where you "belong at." Looking at joining any of these will definitely help with that.

4. The drinking stereotype isn't true

A big college stereotype is that "everyone drinks" or "you aren't cool if you don't go to parties." That could not be more far from the truth. Not everyone drinks and that is perfectly OK. Some people do, but to each their own keeping in mind the legal drinking age is 21. Alcohol also has a lot of calories, and the freshman 15 is real so that would be something to definitely keep in mind.

5. You don't have to declare a major (yet)

A lot of people enter college and they have no idea what they want to get into. It's normal, and it's not going to hurt you if you don't declare a major your freshman year. Most classes that are taken freshman year are core classes that everyone pretty much has to take. Yes it kinda of sucks but the farther you go into college and your area of study the closer you start taking classes that are actually related to the major you chose.

6. All those supply lists of "what to bring" and "the ultimate college supply list" are kind of useless

I remember packing up for school and trying to get EVERYTHING on the list that my school provided as an example, only getting to school and realizing that I probably didn't need all of that stuff. I got two packages of space bags, a couple under the bed storage bags, a rolling cart, etc. I still haven't opened the space bags or used the under the bed storage bags. (However I definitely recommenced the rolling cart I give it a 10/10)

7. Living in the traditional style dorms has its advantages

There have been countless people that I have heard from who do not live in the traditional dorms and they say they wish they would have. Why? Its a different and weird experience, for sure. Community bathrooms and showers, small rooms, typically one community laundry room, and getting to know everyone who lives on your floor whether you want to or not. Nothing else can describe that experience but weird and at the same time awesome.

College can be the best and worst time of your life so most importantly, make the most of it.


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

12 Midnight NYE: Fun Ideas!

This isn't just for the single Pringles out there either, folks

12729
Friends celebrating the New Years!
StableDiffusion

When the clock strikes twelve midnight on New Year's Eve, do you ever find yourself lost regarding what to do during that big moment? It's a very important moment. It is the first moment of the New Year, doesn't it seem like you should be doing something grand, something meaningful, something spontaneous? Sure, many decide to spend the moment on the lips of another, but what good is that? Take a look at these other suggestions on how to ring in the New Year that are much more spectacular and exciting than a simple little kiss.

Keep Reading...Show less
piano
Digital Trends

I am very serious about the Christmas season. It's one of my favorite things, and I love it all from gift-giving to baking to the decorations, but I especially love Christmas music. Here are 11 songs you should consider adding to your Christmas playlists.

Keep Reading...Show less
campus
CampusExplorer

New year, new semester, not the same old thing. This semester will be a semester to redeem all the mistakes made in the previous five months.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

Let's face it, last semester you woke up with enough time to brush your teeth and get to class and even then you were about 10 minutes late and rollin' in with some pretty unfortunate bed head. This semester we will set our alarms, wake up with time to get ready, and get to class on time!

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

The 5 Painfully True Stages Of Camping Out At The Library

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

2213
woman reading a book while sitting on black leather 3-seat couch
Photo by Seven Shooter on Unsplash

And so it begins.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

Camping out at the library is not for the faint of heart. You need to go in as a warrior. You usually have brought supplies (laptop, chargers, and textbooks) and sustenance (water, snacks, and blanket/sweatpants) since the battle will be for an undetermined length of time. Perhaps it is one assignment or perhaps it's four. You are motivated and prepared; you don’t doubt the assignment(s) will take time, but you know it couldn’t be that long.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

The 14 Stages Of The Last Week Of Class

You need sleep, but also have 13 things due in the span of 4 days.

1372
black marker on notebook

December... it's full of finals, due dates, Mariah Carey, and the holidays. It's the worst time of the year, but the best because after finals, you get to not think about classes for a month and catch up on all the sleep you lost throughout the semester. But what's worse than finals week is the last week of classes, when all the due dates you've put off can no longer be put off anymore.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments