Looking back, it feels like freshman year was just yesterday, but here I am as a senior writing this article & it’s hard to believe these 3 years have flown by! Sometimes I really wonder how I made it past that first year, because it was definitely tough at times, but I made it somehow and now I can pass my advice on to YOU the next generation of Oneonta students!
1. Be a Respectful Roommate
You’re living with a new person in a glorified shoebox, I get it it’s hard, BUT that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be respectful. Have common courtesies, communicate, & don’t do anything you wouldn’t want your roommate doing to you. You guys are spending the whole school year, so you might as well get along, so it can’t hurt to invite your roommate to get dinner or tag along on your trip to Walmart. You don’t have to be best friends, but it really helps to get along with one another.
2. Call Your Mom
You might be having the time of your life while you’re away, but don’t forget to call your mom at least once a week. Sometimes, having that familiar piece of home once a week can make it feel like you’re not so far away. And your mom misses you!! She wants to hear about all the fun things you’re learning and experiencing, so let her in on it.
3. Make Time for School
Remember why you’re here- to learn, to get a degree, to set yourself up for a successful future. So, you need to make time for your school work. College is not at all like high school, so you need to make more time than you did then for your work. College guidelines recommend 3 hours outside of class for every 1 hour spent in class! Do the math…it’s a LOT of time. Keep in mind not every class every week is going to demand that much, but you still can’t only spend 20 minutes on homework a night.
4. …But Letting Loose is Okay, too!
You’re still here to have fun! Don’t spend all your time on homework & doing school things. You’ll lose your mind that way! Take a break have fun with your friends. Even the smallest things, like going to Walmart for some groceries, can be the most relaxing thing. Even if going out isn’t really you’re thing (and that’s OKAY) you still have to make time for you.
5. Make Friends
You need to have friends during the next 4 years. You cannot make it through college without some friends to get you through the rough days and to help make the good days better! There’s no way around it, you need friends. Whether its people from your classes, the people down the hall, or your roommate just reach out and see where it takes you!
6. Join Clubs
Read above. What better way to make friends than in clubs! You’ll meet so many people that have similar interests to you! There are so many clubs on campus, you’re bound to find SOMETHING for you. All the clubs are starting to have interest meetings, it can’t hurt to go to one!
7. Learn Which Meals to AVOID at the Dining Halls
Let’s be real, dining hall food sucks, like a lot. There are some things that aren’t bad and some of them are even pretty great. Figure out which foods these are & learn what you don’t mind settling for on the days when your options are slim. Some of my favorites were (obviously) chicken nuggets, the chicken pot pie, & the chicken noodle soups. (Are we sensing a theme here??) The burgers aren’t too bad, & I would bet my life on the fact that Hulbert has the BEST sandwiches and French fries on campus. And for the days when you need something sweet, Donna’s homemade cookies in MyKitchen on Tuesday & Thursday are fantastic.
Freshman year might be scary at first, but before you know it you’ll be finishing up your 4 years here and you’re gonna wonder where the time went. Hopefully these tips help your first year go as smoothly as possible and you learn to love it here as much as everyone else does.
HCXO, Emily