Dear freshmen,
So you hop off the plane or bus or even the car that your parents packed with all your earthly belongings, and you think, “I’m free, I’m an adult now!” Sure there’s a relief in knowing you have no curfew, no set meal times, and no one to nag on you about how you’re doing in chemistry class, but sometimes even being in charge of yourself is a little daunting.
It is difficult for me to remember the expectations I came to college with, but I do remember my assumptions. I assumed I would have trouble making friends, getting adjusted to large lectures, and finding places to go on weekends. And yet, those anticipated troubles were the least of my worries when I got to school. Instead, check out this list of advice to help address some of the more relevant issues:
Time Management:
My greatest issue became time management. When no one is on the same schedule, it can be difficult to know when you should be doing your work and when you should be taking the time to relax. Print up your schedule, and shade in times that you know you can head to the library and get your essays and textbook readings finished on time.
Peer Pressure:
Luckily, in high school, I was never pressured to do anything I was uncomfortable with. I had close friends who had been by my side sometimes since I was five years old. They knew me well enough to not try to rattle me with sly jokes or pressure me to try anything mischievous. In college, as you meet new people, some of them will have different normalities from you, and that’s okay. They may not realize that they are pressuring you, or that you have not done something before. But hold your ground, and stay true to your morals.
Trying New Things:
That being said, it is never a bad idea to try something new if you are comfortable with it. For example, I was nervous to branch out and join clubs and organizations that were well established on campus. I was well aware that I would be viewed as the little freshman, slightly ignorant and vulnerable. Yet I pushed myself out of my dorm door anyway, and those involvements on campus have carried over every year, strengthening my character and my resume.
Stand Your Ground:
Only you know what is best for you. From time management to handling peer pressure, to trying anything new on campus. Since attending college, I have many times backed down and let my friends, schoolwork, pressures, or anything else knock me down hard. I wish that there had been someone there telling me that it was alright to explain my feelings, stand up for myself, or even just walk away from a class or a friend.
Do what is best for you; you’re the boss now. You’re free. You’re an adult.
Sincerely,
A Senior