I am only a sophomore in college, but I have already learned so much.
There are so many things I wish I could go back and tell my freshman year self.
Like any freshman, I knew what I was getting myself into.
However, I didn’t know about all these hidden layers that reveal themselves when you step into the world of college.
To me, one of the most difficult times of the school year is registration.
There are so many complications and potential issues that it turns me into a ball of stress.
As a freshman, I was so unaware of how hectic registration could be.
I wish I could go back and tell myself how important it is to plan, to make backup plans, and how to communicate effectively with an advisor.
I knew when coming into a huge school like UF that game days would be insane.
However, I didn’t know that there were so many things I had to think about before watching the game.
Here are a few things I wish I knew to think of as a freshman attending a football game:
1. How you’re going to get there. Will it be a drop off, driving, Uber?
2. If you drive where will you park?
3. What will you wear? Sounds easy, but we all know how fast Florida weather can change which, of course, dictates what you wear.
4. Should I eat before or pay for food at the game?
The list goes on. As a freshman, I wish I knew what a game day really entailed.
One of the hardest parts of going to college was being away from home.
I was a person who was constantly ranting about how I couldn’t wait to leave home and go to college.
It was fun for a few months, but then the homesickness kicked in, horribly.
I missed my friends, family, and boyfriend immensely and I realized I took my hometown for granted.
I wish I knew that that would happen, or at least how to deal with it. I would’ve done a lot of things differently.
I wish I knew as a freshman that studying isn’t an option.
I, of course, knew coming into college that classes would be much harder, but I never had to study much in high school.
I didn’t have to study, and I still got good grades.
As I entered my freshman year at UF, I was expecting the work to be harder, but I honestly didn’t expect it to be as hard as it was.
My first few semesters really kicked my butt, and I wish I knew how to study beforehand.
Looking back on my first year in college, there are many things I wish I knew.
However, all these experiences have taught me valuable lessons.
I now have a better understanding of myself, the college lifestyle, and what it truly means to gain independence and responsibility.