Freshman year in college is arguably one of the most nerve-wracking times of a teenager’s life. You are meeting new people from all over the globe, with many of them going into this new place that they now call “home” with nobody else they know! The emotions run high, and the first couple of months can be extremely stressful, but there are always ways to ease your nerves and calm the nervous system. Here are three different pieces of advice that I wish I had heard before starting my freshman year.
- Ask For Help Earlier Than You Think.
Teenagers are again coming from all over the country, let alone the world, which in turn, correlates to millions of different paths suddenly converging together. Everyone is their own individual, with their own learning capabilities and living habits. However, many incoming students experience a complete shock when they arrive on campus for their freshman year. Without guidance, it becomes easy to get completely lost in classes and struggle to manage mental health, along with so many more first-year obstacles.
Every high school curriculum and standards are different, and that means not every incoming freshman will be at the same level. One issue that is prominent throughout the current generation is that many students are scared to ask for help, especially when it comes to being in a new environment. For some reason, there is a stigma around the word “help.”However, when I was first getting acclimated to college life, I learned that there were many different resources available for students to take advantage of — way more than high school offered.
Personally, I am in a few study groups and participate in workshops that are designed by my school to purposely get that help! Bucknell also offers numerous different counseling resources for all different circumstances. I wish I had known these resources sooner rather than later because they are crucial to seeing progressive results at the college level.
It’s hard to continue learning on your own, and AI resources don’t cut it. College students, especially freshmen, need to learn to have their own voice and reach out to peers, mentors, and professors when it is necessary for their academic, mental, and physical success! My best advice? Don’t be scared to do so.
- Build Better Study Habits.
As previously mentioned, a lot of students, especially freshmen, tend to get stuck in their old high school routine. This tends to primarily happen in the classroom, whether that be how they learn, how they complete assignments, or how they ask for help. Yet, the big one here is the fact that high school students carry their study habits with them into college. While this isn’t automatically bad — for example, some students have already developed a successful study plan for themselves — most of the time it doesn’t end well.
I have one of my first exams coming up later this week, and I have already noticed that the way I studied in high school will not be suitable for the college courses that I’m taking. If I had known this before even stepping foot on a college campus, I could’ve potentially “practiced” these techniques while I was still in high school. However, now I need to get into a completely new routine and learn a more advanced, proper way to study my college material. This is a crucial piece of insight because, as a college student, you will spend at least 50% of your time studying or preparing for a big exam or project.
- Remind Yourself That You Are Not Alone.
Many college students, myself included, tend to think that they are “alone” when it comes to how hard their classes are, making friends, and essentially just putting themselves out there. It’s hard to tell who is struggling because everyone in college is the definition of “fake it till you make it!” I am guilty of this myself because I always want to put on that cover and go out with my friends to have a good time, no matter what is going on in my head or my life.
However, you cannot let the fact that you are surrounded by so many people slip from the back of your mind. There are thousands of people on one campus, tons of students on your floor, and even more when you think about all of your classes. Simply put yourself out there, and be content with the fact that some situations may be awkward. Not one situation in life will be perfect, so let go of the nerves that are telling you to fit in and be like everyone else on campus. Everyone is in the same shoes as you! Freshmen are unique because they’re finding their way and they’re creating what will be the rest of their lives, just as I am doing right now!
Final Thoughts:
Ultimately, do not let fear hold you back from joining clubs or participating in activities. Use the resources that are available to you, especially if they are free of charge. Maximize your college experience and allow yourself to find the correct balance, all based on your routine, your personality, and your goals. You are your worst critic, but your best hypeman. Do everything that you put your mind to and don’t succumb to the fear of being a college freshman. You got this!