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7 Lessons That You Learn as a College Freshman

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at F and M chapter.

Lesson #1: The Freshmen 15 is VERY Real

It’s very tempting to eat everything that is offered on a college campus but take this time to think about habits that you want to gain as you progress into your adulthood. Healthy choices will lead to a healthier mindset.

 

Lesson #2: Sleep is a luxury

It’s very easy to get stressed out about all of the things that will be coming your way during your college career. Don’t underestimate the power of a good night sleep or even a nap.

Lesson #3: Skimming is an important skill to have

With all of the assignments that professors will be assigning to you throughout the semester, skimming will become an important skill to have. It’s okay to not read all of the material but make sure that you know what you should understand from the assigned readings!

Lesson #4: It’s okay to be disappointed

Going into your first year of college is both an exciting and nerve-wrecking time for everyone. If you’re anything like me that you probably have a couple of expectations about college that you’re dying to experience. It’s okay to have expectations but don’t be too disappointed if your first semester, or even your first year is not at all how you expected it to be. Trust that whatever happens will all make sense in the near future. Keep an open mind and watch out for those lessons that you’ll have learned by the end of the day.

 

Lesson #5: It’s okay to be undecided

For those of you who may not be any closer to knowing what major you want to declare, it’s okay. You still have time to figure out what you want to do, and when all else fails you can always change your major.

Lesson #6: Friendships take time and effort

During your freshmen year you will see all of your friends. However, that will all change within a semester as everyone becomes more involved in extracurricular as well as focusing on their respective majors. Don’t forget that friendships take time and effort to grow and develop. It’s okay to not see each other all the time, but don’t forget to call and spend time with your friends every now and then to catch up.

At the end of the day, it’s only been one year. You’ve still got three more years to have fun, make mistakes and learn from them. Good luck!

Vivian is the current Campus Correspondent and Marketing Director of the Her Campus chapter at F&M, where she has been a member for 3 years. She is a senior at Franklin & Marshall College, studying business and sociology. In her free time, she can be found catching up on TV shows, reading novels, or spending time with her sorority sisters. Her interests include branding, public relations, and marketing.
Karolina Heleno is a student at Franklin and Marshall College majoring in Creative Writing and minoring in Women and Gender Studies. She currently serves as the Communications Intern with the YWCA of Lancaster.