Even though it has only been two months, I feel like I’m much older than I was on August 18th when I moved into Clemson. I think I can speak for all freshmen here, and say it has been quite the few months. We’ve learned and experienced so many new things, whether we realize it or not. As for me, I’ve tried to embrace and love all of it, but I have to admit it has been hard at times. Here are a few things I know now that I wish I could’ve told myself back in August.
1. Wake up at 11:30 for noon games.
TRUST ME. You’ll want to be more awake for the game anyway and a good night’s sleep will make you feel so much better. Also, it’s most definitely not worth it to tailgate at 8 a.m. You have plenty of time after the game to have fun or take a post-game nap!
2. Be outgoing and forward.
For the first few weeks, everyone is in the same boat. Everyone wants to make friends. If you like the shoes of the girl standing next to you at Starbucks, tell her! If you think the person you sat next to in one of your classes is nice, ask them to get lunch! It’s totally not weird, I promise. They’ll absolutely appreciate it. Also, it’s very normal to just walk up to someone and introduce yourself. You never know, one of these people could be your new best friend!
3. Go to a lot of events where you can meet new people.
The university and individual organizations hold so many events within the first few weeks. Go to them! There will be other people there looking to join a club or organization too. They’re always fun and usually you can get some free food or a free t-shirt out of it!
4. Get to know the people on your hall.
Whether you like them or not, you’ll see these people all the time. If you ever need something, they’re the first people you’re going to go to because they’re literally right there. The people on your hall are always going to be there for you. Knock on your neighbor’s’ door and introduce yourself or suggest your hall have a hangout together. There are some great people to know.
5. Find at least one person in every class that you can go to.
This is very, very important. Try to make friends with at least one person in every class (hopefully more!) that you can go to. Make sure to get their phone number or email so you can ask them about homework questions you may have, get notes if you’re ever absent and study together for a test.
This method works, but it probably won’t be this awkward. Plus, who doesn’t love a Channing Tatum gif?
6. Talk to friends and family from home a lot.
Just because you aren’t with them, doesn’t mean family and friends aren’t there anymore. Try to text a friend every day and check in with them and ask how things are going. They’ll really appreciate it and you’ll get to share your new college experiences with each other! Also, try to call your parents at least a few times a week. They miss you and definitely want to hear from you. They usually will want to hear about all the fun stuff you’re doing, so might as well share it! Keeping in touch with grandparents, cousins, aunts, uncles and family friends are important too.
7. Study a LOT.
At least for me, college is HARD. Classes are difficult and tests are extremely challenging. For a harder class, hours upon hours of studying is definitely necessary. It might take a while to figure out, but try to find the best way to study that meets your needs. Also, find a place and environment where you can focus and get work done. It’ll be hard, but remember to take breaks and study effectively. It’ll all pay off!
8. And start early.
In college, you can’t study the night before and pull an all-nighter. First of all, sleep is important. If you don’t get enough sleep before a test, you’ll feel the effects. Your brain will be foggy, you’ll make silly mistakes and you won’t be able to focus. Second of all, there’s most likely too much information to retain in one night. Make a study plan that starts a few days before the test. Do a few hours every day and you’ll definitely thank yourself the night before the test. This is much more effective, more manageable and a lot less painful. Also, study guides and test/study prep are your best friends!
Study early so this ISN’T you!
9. Eat well.
This is much easier said than done. I feel like I’m so busy all the time and I either don’t have time to eat a proper meal, or I just need to eat something that’s quick. Usually, quick foods are unhealthier and will leave you feeling hungry later. Skipping a meal is bad as well and you’ll feel worse later. Food and proper nutrition are essential, so make sure to carve out time to eat a real, healthy, proper meal every day. Keep an eye on the snacks you eat, too. Snacking every few hours isn’t necessarily bad; just make sure you’re eating the right things. A healthy diet will help you so much overall, so make sure to not overlook this.
10. Vitamin C is your best friend.
Your immune system in college is just about nothing. Between not sleeping enough, generally poor nutrition, overexertion, close living quarters and stress, you’ll probably find yourself getting sick a lot. This is never fun, and can have an effect in school. You won’t be able to work as well if you’re sick and you might miss class that puts you behind. Taking Vitamin C (or a multivitamin) will help give your immune system that necessary boost.
11. It’s totally OK to not go out all the time.
Especially within the first few weeks, I felt like everyone was always going out and I was always studying or just hanging out. At first, I felt like I was missing something or doing something wrong. Looking back, this is totally okay. You don’t have to go out all the time to have a good experience in college. Time for yourself is very important. Taking time to do the things you like, relax or catch up on sleep, is very important. Staying in and skipping a night out is fine. Honestly, it’s really good. You’re not doing anything wrong. You’re just doing you!
12. Everything will fall into place.
Also within the first few weeks, I felt like everyone had a ton of friends and thriving social lives already, when I only knew a few people. Honestly, I was sad and just wanted to see all of my friends from home. I waited a little bit and I learned that everyone works at different rates. I found that I would rather take a little longer to find the people I really wanted to be friends with and spend time with them. I may not have had a giant group of friends in the first week of school, but I’ve taken the time to meet some great friends and, now, I’m with some awesome people I wouldn’t trade for the world. It took a while, but everything fell into place. Give it time. Also, never forget to make quality friends not quantity friends. :)