Having trouble adjusting to college? Or maybe you’re a pre-collegiette desperate to lap up any advice you can before you start college in 6 months. Either way check out the tried and true advice the collegiettes at Her Campus have for the best four years of your life.
And as always, leave your own college advice in the comments section below!
The best advice I would give to girls starting college in the fall is to give yourself time to adjust. College is a whole different world, regardless of where you are coming from. Some people adjust quickly, others take a little longer. Don’t worry, just be yourself, and settle in on your own terms.
Christina Troy, Design Associate, Merrimack College alum
Balance is everything! It’s important to spend time with your friends, but make sure you attend class too. Learn how to manage your time so you can make the most of everything college has to offer, but take steps that will help you come graduation as well!
Sydney Nolan, Contributing Writer, University of Missouri-Columbia
When it seems like it’s getting really stressful, don’t be afraid to go home. Your family wants to help, I promise! But also remember that it takes time to get settled and a lot of other people are feeling the way you do. Don’t be afraid to reach out to people, even if you’ve only talked to them once or twice. You could make a new best friend and all it takes is one bonding sesh at dinner!
Kathleen Kalinsky, Social Media/Publicity, James Madison University
I told all my senior friends this: You are going to be homesick. I’m halfway across the country — far from my family, but I have friends who live an hour from their parents who are just as homesick as I am. It really helped me to be involved. I went to lectures, events, and joined a few clubs on campus. While it may feel better to hole up in your room alone, social interactions are crucial to making you feel better. It does get easier, especially after first semester. The best advice I can offer is to know you are NOT alone in feeling homesick. I know I’ll be homesick all the way until my senior year, but knowing that you are in the same boat as a ton of girls is comforting.
Elizabeth Schmitt, Campus Correspondent, Mount Holyoke College
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This might sound super cliché, but I think it’s so important to just be yourself when you’re in college. These four years are all about finding out who YOU are, so beat to your own drummer.
Kelsey Mulvey, Contributing Writer, Boston University
If you are ever stressing out about anything or have a problem you need help with, don’t keep it yourself. The more you talk about whatever issues you’re having, the easier things will be. Also, keep in touch with your family! They’re a good source of advice and encouragement and they will help keep you grounded.
Serena Pipe, Campus Correspondent, University of Oregon
Learn to prioritize and balance work and play. There’s no sense getting stressed out over little things. You’re going to face a lot of challenges and need to learn to go with the flow and relax!
Erica Avesian, Contributing Writer, University of Michigan
Never start the awful habit of procrastination. Start with planning every hour of your day even if there’s not much to do, and it will pay off when your semesters get busier.
Kenyatta Giddings, Campus Correspondent, University of Texas at Austin
The best advice I have for collegiettes struggling now, or entering into college in the fall is to not give up. The first year of college is hard for everyone, no matter who you are! I only live 2 hours away from the university I attend, and I remember coming home a lot freshman year and my brother and his friends making fun of me. This year they’re all experiencing their first year of college, and they’re homesick just like I was! I would advise collegiettes not to give up, because you chose the school you’re attending for a reason. Chances are the sadness and doubt you’re feeling has nothing to do with the school you’re attending. It’s okay to miss home and your bed and most importantly … your dog! I am really close with my family and live in a really small town. I only went to high school with 200 kids… yes that would be the entire school! So going from that to a Big 10 school was a huge wake-up call. After winter break I rushed a sorority, and when it didn’t work out I felt like my life was falling apart between that and missing home. I wanted to transfer to another school so bad. My mom convinced me to stick it out for fall semester of sophomore year. She promised if I still didn’t like it, I could transfer. I am so glad I listened to my mom, because I wouldn’t trade IU for anything! It’s amazing how much of a difference one semester makes. Also don’t be afraid to tell your friends and family how you’re feeling! Sometimes it feels good to vent. Tell your friends you need a girls night in instead of going out Thursday-Saturday. It’s the little things that can make all the difference!
Courtney Kabbes, Campus Correspondent, Indiana University
College isn’t always good. Things go wrong, people are mean and classes are hard, but take it from a senior – when you get to the end of your college experience, you’ll remember more of the good than the bad. You’ll remember the time you spent studying with your friends late at night, the midnight runs to the cafeteria, the weird dorm activities your RA made you do and the time you did something that you never thought you would ever do. College is more about the experiences than the classes, so take everything in stride!
Jenni Whalen, Contributing Writer, Bucknell University
You all know that “getting involved” is the key to success and happiness in college, right? Of course college is about classes but they won’t make your college experience all it can be. Find something you’re passionate about and pursue it. And if you can’t find something you’re interested in, start something up yourself! At McGill, our roster of activity groups include a Sledding Club, a Kung-Fu Movie Club, and a Quidditch Team
Kristen Pye, Contributing Writer, McGill University