We’re sure by now you are dorm shopping, Facebooking your roommate and counting down the days until you can officially call yourself a collegiette. Move-in day and orientation are just around the corner. Get excited, because you are about to begin what truly will be the best years of your life. To ease your anxiety and get you psyched, here are 20 reasons you will LOVE your freshman year!
1. Theme parties, frat parties, ugly Christmas sweater parties. You name it, there’s a way to celebrate it!
2. Can you say I-N-D-E-P-E-N-D-E-N-T? You’re on your own, and it feels great. No curfew. No rules.
3. Early move-in – You’ll have a chance to get to know the campus before the upperclassmen get there. This is important so you can feel calm and confident on your first day of classes (and you won’t be broadcasting your freshman status by carrying around a campus map).
4. Fall means football and tailgating! Fire up the grills and fill the stands with friends. You’ll be automatically bonded to other students by school spirit and the traditions that are unique to your school. Learn new cheers and wear your colors proudly.
5. FREE T-SHIRTS. T-shirt giveaways are a popular way to promote clubs and events. Leave some extra space in your closet because you’ll have more t-shirts than you know what to do with.
6. Showing off your new back-to-school wardrobe. If you’re still shopping, check out HC’s how not to look like a high schooler guide.
7. Taking classes you are ACTUALLY interested in… who knows, maybe you’ll learn something! In college, you have a lot more freedom to choose which electives and classes you want to take. Fulfill a science requirement with a fun and interesting class like the physics of music or renewable energy.
8. Starting with clean slate. No one in college will remember how you looked with braces and pigtails in that awkward junior high phase.
9. Greek life! Whether you decide to rush or not, the Greek community hosts tons of fun events to enjoy with your new friends.
10. Decorating your dorm room lets you show off your personal style… and it’s way bigger than a locker.
11. Parents Weekend – Your folks will be missing you a lot by the time they make their first visit to campus. They’ll spoil you by taking you and your friends out to dinner and helping out as much as they can. It’s the perfect opportunity to take a break from your crazy college life to go shopping and stock up on anything you need.
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12. Dining hall food gets an unfairly bad rap. Give it a chance. There is always something new and delicious to try! Plus, who would complain about not having to clean dishes or do any cooking?
13. Taking naps. Enough said.
14. Being able to design your own class schedule is great. Classes start later in the day and you could end up with a long break between them. Learn to take advantage of this time by grabbing a bite to eat, socializing in the common or going to office hours. Use schedulizer to find the best mix of classes and avoid the early ones so you can sleep in!
15. The rec center is your best friend – stay fit and scope out the hotties! Not only does going to the rec give you an opportunity to check out cuties while doing cardio, many colleges offer group fitness classes and outdoor adventure trips like white water rafting or rock climbing.
16. Meeting new friends! Friendships can spring up anywhere — in class, dining halls, at the rec and of course out on the weekends. In college, you will build lasting friendships and a professional network you will be able to rely on your whole life.
17. Two words girls: Campus Cuties. Need I say more?
18. Visiting your friends at other schools! Take your time settling in to your own school first, and you’re ready for a road trip, check out HC’s etiquette tips for visiting other schools.
19. There’s something for everybody. From clubs to sports to sororities, you are sure to find a place to fit in and a great group of friends to share the good times with. Try new activities and find something you are passionate about.
20. Exploring a new city from a fresh perspective. Even if you aren’t very far from home, your new college girl status gives you a unique point of view. There’s a brand new social scene to be discovered – see the sites, catch a movie, and check out the nightlife!
There you have it girls, the first 20 of hundreds of reasons you will LOVE freshman year—and when it’s all said and done you’ll still have three more years to enjoy! Good luck, have fun and don’t forget to add a few reasons of your own to the list.