Your first year of college is a strange beast. You’re away from home for the first time and you’re expected to be an adult, yet you’re not quite an adult. Just when you thought you were done, here come four more years of school and you’re at the bottom of the pecking order once again! So how can you make it through your first year, become the “it-girl” on campus and achieve overall success without burning out? Here are 10 tips to surviving freshman year at Brenau:
10. Go to class.
Okay, I know this is a given but just hear me out. You’ll probably take going to class very seriously in the beginning. You’ll wake up early enough to shower, fix your hair and makeup, grab some breakfast and make it to class early. But after about two weeks, you’ll be tempted to hit the snooze button; you’ll roll out of bed at 9:20 a.m. for your class at 9:30, and you’ll have no energy. You may think, “I’ll just stay in today – not a big deal.” It is a big deal. Go to class. The information covered in class that day may be on an exam, which can potentially turn into the difference between passing or failing. Go. To. Class.
9. Get to know your roommate.
Maybe you met your roommate at an orientation event or maybe your roommate is random. Whatever the case is, get to know her! Trust me. Your relationship with your roommate can truly make or break your freshman year experience. Find out what bugs her, what makes her happy, what scares her, etc. Go to a movie or eat lunch in The Gag together. Just spend time getting to know each other. Who knows? Your roommate could become the best friend you’ve ever had.
8. Find (healthy) ways to relieve stress.
College life is new to you, so stress is inevitable. How you manage this stress is what will really make you or break you. Instead of locking yourself in your room, watching Netflix,and eating popcorn for hours, try doing something healthy. Read a book you found in the library! Go for a walk around the Brenau Mile! Take a Zumba class (Brenau offers them for free!). If you let stress eat away at you, then you will probably become overwhelmed.
7. Take everything with a grain of salt.
Between your mom, your sister, your cousin, your aunt, your neighbor and even a stranger on the street, everyone (and I do mean everyone) is going to try to tell you about his or her college experience and impart you with “words of wisdom.” Listen to them, but don’t take this advice as the final say. As a matter fact, you should even take our tips with a grain of salt. Don’t shy away from trying new things because someone else hated it. Let your college experience be your college experience.
6. Stay on campus.
I know you may get homesick, which is very normal, but you won’t find any relief by running home every weekend. Instead, try to stay on campus as much as you can. Spend time making friends and memories and getting to know good ol’ Brenau. Make Brenau your home away from home (which brings me to my next point)!
5. Make it your home.
When I’m away from school on break, I miss Brenau! I miss the front lawn, the people and the buildings… I just miss it and can’t wait to get back! That is because through the sisterhood I’ve formed with my sorority, Alpha Delta Pi, and joining organizations like the Georgia Young Republicans, Golden STAR and Girls on the Run North Georgia, I’ve set my roots. Chances are you will be completely miserable if you spend four years of your life sulking in homesickness, so give Brenau a chance.
4. Find your bridesmaids.
The friends you make at Brenau will be your friends for a lifetime. They’ll be there to pick you up (and knock you down) when you need it and all the moments in between. Make these friendships, but also be sure to keep these friendships. These are the women who will always have your back and may even stand by your side when it comes time for you say, “I do.”
3. Try something new.
Try something new every day. College isn’t just about what you learn inside of the classroom so venture out of your comfort zone! Take a class on cooking, pottery, photography or dance – whatever your heart desires! Who knows? You might just discover something you love.
2. Make mistakes.
You’re going to make mistakes in college; it’s inevitable. And if you’re lucky, you’ll make lots of them. That’s right, I said lucky. Mistakes are important, especially at this time in our lives. They allow us to learn and grow., and they teach us our limits. Mistakes let us know what we love and what we hate so don’t be afraid of a challenge just because you might mess up. I promise, you will gain so much knowledge and wisdom by taking chances.
1. Get involved.
I think this is the most important piece of advice I can give. It is so important to get involved at Brenau, and there are so many ways to do so. As I said in No. 5, the easiest way to make Brenau your home is to get involved with Student Life! The beauty of involvement is that you can literally do anything – from Greek Life and clubs to honor societies within your major, there is something for everyone. If there isn’t a club for your specific (legal) interest at Brenau, go and start one! By getting involved, you’re ensuring your college experience will be one you always remember as fun and life-changing.
Good luck to the gold Class of 2019, and don’t forget my tips!