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BU | Life > Academics

My Takeaways From My First Year In College

Emily Emanuel Student Contributor, Boston University
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at BU chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

In just under a week, I will be able to say that I have finished my first year of college. This year has been one of fun, laughter, tears, and everything in between. Here are five of my takeaways:

Start studying early

This is something I learned very quickly. Be aware of your deadlines, and start studying at least one week in advance for your exams. Study tips and exams themselves vary from class to class, but generally, give yourself at least one week before your exam to begin studying. This will help you stay on top of your work and not cram in the last minute.

Make time for yourself

In college, life can be so tiring, whether it’s academics, social, or emotional stress. Sometimes all we need is time to ourselves, be it a quiet afternoon run, a solo coffee trip, or our own personal activities. Making time for yourself helps you recuperate and not be so stressed out, allowing for personal reflection.

yoga
Photo by Dane Wetton from Unsplash
Get Involved

Join clubs! Clubs are a great way to meet people, make friends, and do something you love to do! Whether it’s a club sport, student government, or a craft club, you get to meet people with shared interests and meet new friends. Plus, clubs are great experiences on your resume, so what’s not to love here?

Meet with your professors

Professors don’t have office hours without reason; they have office hours because they want to help you. Office hours are a great way to get help from your professors, introduce yourself, and get to know them better. It’s also such a low-stakes environment and very easy to attend, so go to office hours!

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Photo by Yan Krukov from Pexels
Take care of your health and wellbeing

College is a time of transition. Be patient with yourself, and prioritize self-care. Know that there will be good days and bad days, and on the bad days, know that things will get better. Take care of yourself, eat well, sleep a lot, and stay hydrated.

I hope these takeaways help you make the most of your college years.  

Finish the semester strong! 

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Emily Emanuel

BU '29

Emily Emanuel is a member of the editorial team at Her Campus Boston University, where she writes weekly articles on a variety of topics.

Emily is a freshman at Boston University pursuing a major in Neuroscience. After college, Emily hopes to attend medical school and pursue a career as a physician. She is most interested in the field of pediatrics, having worked with children in a variety of settings throughout high school, including as a summer camp counselor and a Mathematics Teaching Assistant.

In her free time, Emily enjoys spending time with friends, going on runs, anything crafty, and shopping. She is excited to be a part of a warm and welcoming community as a member of Her Campus!