Ladies, college is great, but everyone needs a little bit of advice when they throw themselves into something new and exciting like college! From one freshman to an incoming freshman, here are a couple of tips to keep in mind!
Join clubs that you’re interested in
Clubs are the #1 way to make new friends and fill you downtime with something other than naps. If you’re roaming after Convocation and think you might like to join a club – do it! Even if you put your contact information down or go to one meeting and decide that you don’t actually want to be part of that club it’s fine! At least you made an effort to put yourself out there and find something to be a part of. I joined clubs my first semester and they were honestly the best decisions I made! I found a way to be active, I made friends and I spent time outside of my bed!
Don’t sign up for early-morning classes
Please, please, please, PLEASE don’t put yourself through that torture. Morning classes seem like a great idea because you had to get up early in high school but I’m telling you, if you have the option to take later classes (even at like 11 a.m!) TAKE IT. I slept through more of my 9 A.M. classes than I actually went to and I absolutely hated being in class when I actually got out of bed to go. Do yourself a favor and make better choices than I did!
On that same note…
Don’t take classes too late at night either if you can avoid it! There’s nothing worse than not having time to eat dinner or still being in a lecture at 8 P.M. It’s just the worst. You miss most events on and off campus because you’re in class, and there’s no time to do your homework before you crash. 0/10 would NOT recommend taking late classes if you can avoid it.
Don’t be afraid to rush
I have had so many friends tell me they didn’t rush with a certain sorority or fraternity because they thought they wouldn’t belong or get a bid. There’s nothing worse than wishing you had put yourself out there and done something after it’s too late. So don’t be afraid to rush where you want! The worst they can say is no, right? On the other hand, don’t be afraid to not rush. It can feel like a lot of pressure when everyone you know is rushing and you’re the only one that isn’t, but if Greek life isn’t for you, you don’t have to participate! Be true to yourself and go with your gut.
Listen to your body
It’s so easy to just keep eating Popeyes and pizza because your brain loves junk food, but listen to your body too! If your stomach gets upset after you eat Popeyes for a week or drink too much soda, stop doing that! Make sure you make healthy food choices. I know it sounds so cliché, but eating right (at least some of the time) will help you feel better and more focused when you’re in class.
Don’t schedule your classes back to back all day long
If you have non-stop classes from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., when are you supposed to eat?!? It’s so easy to just say “I’ll have my classes from this time until that time to get them all out of the way” but having class after class after class is exhausting, and after a while, it will take its toll on your body. Try to leave yourself an hour around lunch and dinner times to eat and give yourself a break! You’ll thank me in the long run.
Don’t be afraid to use campus resources
Do you know how long it took me to step foot in the library because I was afraid of asking for help? Like, a whole semester. I still haven’t worked up the courage to climb the rock wall or use anything but the elliptical in the West Center! There are so many resources for you to use on campus, from the library to computer labs to the West Center and DiGs, don’t be afraid to use them! You’re paying for it after all!
Incoming ladies, college can be SO fun if you don’t limit yourself! I hope these tips help you make the most of your first couple of semesters at school!