I have officially been a college student for just over a month! From my time at Mason, I can say that I have already learned a lot. Everything from classes, dorm life, or the social aspect of college, I’ve definitely had my fair share of ups and downs. Don’t get me wrong; college is full of making mistakes and learning from them. Let the first semester of college be your rough draft. Take advantage of being a freshman in order to learn and grow. Check out these “Do’s and Don’ts” for a smooth transition into an exciting year at college!
Do
Go to Class
I cannot put any more emphasis on this “do”. It’s crucial to attend class while in college. It can be easy to sleep in, but the after math can be overwhelmingly stressful. One class missed is almost equivalent to a whole chapter. Depending on classmates or friends is risky. Most of the time, you may not have a studious classmate to help you out. Even if your classes don’t take attendance, it’s in your benefit to attend and learn. After all, you paid for it!
Be Nice to Your Floor Mates
Face it. You’re going to be living with these people for a year! Don’t be the girl or guy on the floor that constantly talks about others and spreads rumors. Each floor consists of at least 20-40 students. Word travels fast in a small group of people, so try and stray from bad-mouthing anyone. Yes, people can be intolerable, but don’t let that put you in an uncomfortable situation. Take the time to introduce yourself to everyone. You may not click with everyone, but you can put in some effort to stay cordial. Your goal should be making friends, not enemies!
Get Involved
George Mason is a huge school with a population of over 30,000 students. In order to create a smaller niche within a larger community, become involved. Whether it’s Greek life, a club, or a sport, take the opportunities Mason offers and find what fits best for you. There are over 300 student organizations to choose from. If you haven’t quite found the one for you, create your own club! Being in a new environment can be tough; this is a great time to explore new interests.
Don’t
Doze Off in Class
You’re in a lecture of over 300 students. It’s 9:00 in the morning. You have just nabbed a seat all the way in the back. Don’t be tempted to doze off or fall asleep during a lecture. If you bring your laptop or tablet to class, you could get the itch to check your Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and the list goes on. I’ve been guilty of creating a whole new Pinterest board while in class. Trust me, don’t do it! You could miss important information that your professor might not include in the class notes. Check up on social media after your class is over.
Be THAT Freshman
You don’t want to be labeled as anything negative, especially if you haven’t even moved in yet! Don’t use the incoming accepted class’s Facebook page to start a full on cyber war. Up to 2,000 people could read your post/comment. You words can never be erased or forgotten once it’s up for the world to see. When you DO arrive on campus, try and stray from anything that could put you in a bad spot. Especially in the first week, come on people! Being labeled as a sloppy freshman is not always positive. I can’t tell you the number of times I have overheard stories. Word travels quickly. Save yourself from any embarrassments (that can be easily avoided, of course). Last but not least, infamous Facebook photos. Don’t post anything you’ll regret in the future!
Overwhelm Yourself
College is an exciting time. It’s the time to try new things and explore all your options. Just don’t literally explore ALL options available to you. Time management and balancing your academics, social life, and extracurriculars is key. Piling one thing on top of another is never a smart thing to do. Have enough time set aside to focus on your studies (Freshman year is the best time to build your GPA). Pick up on a sport, maybe a club or two, find a job, or join a sorority/fraternity. Start out with 1-3 things that will keep you busy. Not only is it important to get involved, but make sure you enjoy what you’re doing.
Remember that a lot is going to change in these next four years. Go into college with an open and positive mind. You may find out a lot of new things about yourself. It’s okay to make mistakes, just don’t repeat them. Also, remember to have fun! These are supposed to be the best years of your life!