Your first semester of college can be really stressful and overwhelming but it’s a learning experience for everyone, so just remember you aren’t alone! Take it from someone who is fresh off their first round of exams, we are all in this together and second semester is going to be so much smoother. Here is some advice based on my first semester here at ECU.
Find Somewhere to study
I like to pretend that the best place for me to study is the library. That is not the case. I study best in my room at my desk, so make sure you find the place you study best. If you get distracted easily maybe the library isn’t your place either, but during exam weeks its especially important to have somewhere you know you can go and get things done.
Don’t Eat Pirate Meals Everyday
Just because they’re called pirate meals doesn’t mean you should be eating them daily. Most of them will, yes, go to chick-fil-a, but in order to combat the freshman 15 don’t resort to them everyday. Go to the D-Hall, the food is good, even though it can get repetitive, and it can actually be decently healthy.
Make Time to Hit the Gym
One of my biggest accomplishments of my fall semester is that I didn’t go to the gym once. It’s not a good accomplishment, don’t be me. Make time to go to the gym, you’ll feel more rested and ready to do your schoolwork than if you lay around and watch netflix all the time. Although it’s college and you can just watch netflix all the time, doesn’t mean you should.
Don’t Overexert Yourself
Know how many courses you can handle at once. Your first semester is overwhelming in all departments: from living on your own to taking care of yourself for the first time, everything’s new. Carrying too large a course load or joining too many clubs can just add the the additional stress and it can take your first semester of college from the best to the worst real quick.
Learn to Say “No”
This is ECU, there are parties every night of the week and learning the word “no” will be your best friend. I went out at least three days a week for the first month or two I was here and I was constantly tired. The first weekend I stayed in felt so nice. Sometimes it’s good to just lay in bed and rest even if some frat is having a huge banger that night.
Find Some Older Friends to Help You
There’s nothing more valuable than an upperclassman who’s willing to help a freshman out. From having your own “rate my professor” at your disposal to telling you where to go and where not to go, they’ve been where you are and can actually help a lot.
Have Fun!
All the above being said, it is your freshman year of college, the best year of your life! Find the good balance between staying in and going out, go downtown but also go to frat parties. Even though it’s on a Monday go to Mug Night at Sup Dogs. As a freshman there is so much ahead and that you can decide for yourself, embrace it because at this point it’s truly ok to not know what you want and to just have fun!