The first year of college can call for some rough times at first. Within months, you go from owning the halls of your high school as a senior to being back at the bottom of the food chain, and it’s a slap in the face to be honest. When I was a freshman last year, it appeared as if everyone around me on this bustling campus had a clue about college life, and I was lost. But don’t worry! All of you freshmen are in it together, and the transition gets easier with time. For now, here’s some advice I wish I knew when I was in your shoes:
1. Take advantage of nights when you can go out
Take this piece of advice with a grain of salt; I’m not saying you should go crazy every night of the week, but it’s important to realize that your classes are only going to get harder as you progress through college. Your college years are the only time of your life during which it’s socially acceptable to drunkenly waltz around campus at 2 a.m. with your friends. Enjoy it while it lasts!
2. Use your time wisely
Going from having class for eight hours a day straight to maybe having two or three classes a day is by far the biggest change. How you spend the rest of your day is solely up to you, so don’t waste it! Though it’s tempting to cuddle up in your dorm with some Netflix and Ramen, get out there and explore campus. Make some new friends in the dining hall or hit up the gym. Most importantly, stay up to date with your homework and reading assignments so you don’t fall behind.
3. Not all Gen Eds are a joke
I made the mistake of taking Bugs and People (ENY1001) during my first fall semester here. I heard in passing that it was an easy biological sciences general education class, but this was not the case. Although I still managed to get an A in the course, it required a lot more hardcore memorization and work than I anticipated. Bottom line: Don’t take gen eds lightly because it would be a bit embarrassing to get a B in some random class that doesn’t even have anything to do with your degree.
4. Get Involved
This is the best possible way to make the overwhelming campus a little bit smaller. Never sell yourself short and think that you aren’t worthy of a position. Most importantly, don’t be discouraged if you don’t get a position. Stay positive and dedicated. Don’t know where to start? Go to every involvement fair and any meetings for organizations that sound interesting to you. Plus, most meetings have free pizza! So why not check them out?
5. Try New Things
College is all about taking a step out of your comfort zone and experiencing things you would never have done otherwise. Try Krishna lunch in the Plaza one day instead of getting your usual footlong at Subway. Go to that vegan, hipstery restaurant downtown (I may or may not be referring to The Jones Eastside Eatery) or try slacklining with random people in the Plaza on a Friday afternoon. It’s great to remove yourself from the bubble that is campus every now and then and broaden your horizons.
Freshmen year, though overwhelming at times, will definitely be one of the best years of your life. By using the aforementioned advice, your first year of college will undoubtedly be full of new, exciting experiences. YOFYO (You Only Freshman Year Once), so make it worthwhile, collegiettes!
Photo Credits:
1. www.meetup.com
2. www.favim.com
3. www.collegefashion.net
4. www.union.ufl.edu
5. www.timesfreepress.com