I’ve heard from many people that they wish they could relive their first year of college. I’m pretty sure most have seen TikToks romanticizing being a first-year student and all the fun things you get to do. However, it’s not like that 100% of the time. Freshman year can be really difficult because everything is changing around you, including you, and you have to adapt to everything all at once.
Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate my freshman year, but sometimes I wish I had done things differently and skipped that depressive, lonely state that comes with change. One of my freshman friends recently asked me for advice on how to feel less sad and alone in college, so for my freshmen, transfer students, and high school seniors, here are a few tips for navigating your first year in college without feeling miserable, especially if you’re living on campus.
The first thing I would advise is finding roommates you get along with. The people you live with can make or break your year, so find someone you can live in harmony with. They don’t have to be your best friend, but it’s nice to be able to get home to zero negativity after a long day of classes. Remember, you’ll be sharing a room with this person or these people for nine months, and they’ll basically be your new family away from home, so it’s important to get along. I was lucky enough to have some incredible roommates that I bonded with my first year, and it made adapting to dorm life easier because we were all in it together.
The next thing I would recommend is getting out more than you want to. I know your dorm can feel like a safe space, and you may want to run back to it after finishing class, but I would not recommend staying in all the time. I did that a lot, and when I would see people going out, I would experience FOMO, which wasn’t the best. Going out doesn’t necessarily mean going to a party. It could be something as simple as going to Target to get your favorite snacks, trying out a local cafe, or exploring your campus. Basically, do anything to get out of your dorm. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t have anyone to go with yet. Treat it like a solo date and have fun with it!Â
Something I also really wish I had done during my first year was join at least one club. Joining a club is so fun because you get to meet new people from all over campus whom you might not meet otherwise. If you have a hard time making friends in your classes, clubs are the way to go. I’ve met so many amazing people through my club. which is why I wish I would’ve joined sooner. It is also a great way to get involved on campus outside of academics, and it can offer many opportunities.Â
Romanticize the hell out of college! Even something as simple as studying can be fun. Put on a cute outfit, go to the library, get an iced coffee, and study for a bit. The vibes just make everything better. Some of the libraries at UCLA have the nicest views, which just makes me feel excited about studying. Even getting ready for class can make you feel more organized and ready to start the day fresh. Putting on some rom-com music while walking through campus can feel so main-character coded.Â
Something that really helped me clear my mind was talking a 20-minute walk everyday. Whether on campus or through the gardens, I would put on music and take a walk. It’s beneficial in many ways, both for your physical and mental health. It can also be very fun if you make it. For example, I was listening to Olivia Rodrigo’s song “drop dead,” and my walk was reminding me of the music video in which Olivia is running, jumping, and twirling in the Palace of Versailles. I was inspired to do the same, and it was so much fun! It felt freeing.Â
Overall, it’s important to step back and appreciate how far you’ve come. College is not an easy path, so everyone should be proud of their achievements, no matter how small. Gratitude will clear any negative thoughts that may plague your mind — try it!