Before coming to college, the idea of a “college experience” always seemed ambiguous to me. Was it a journey? A feeling? Would I know it in the moment? As I am finishing my third year of college, I have come to realize that the “college experience” is what you make it. What I have learned is that it is about independence and self-discovery, and in order to do this, it is also about making mistakes and learning from them because no journey is perfect.
In the fall, a new class of freshmen will be making their own journey’s in college, and if they were anything like me, they are extremely nervous for this next big step. In order to calm some of those nerves, listed below are five of the biggest things I wish I knew before coming to college.
1. Everyone is in the same position as you
For the most part, every other first-year has also left home to go to college. It can feel lonely, confusing and overwhelming during that first quarter or semester of your freshman year, but it is important to remember that every other first-year is in the same position as you. They are also feeling lonely, confused and overwhelmed; some are just better at hiding it than others. Coming to college is a big step into the next phase of your life, and if you think about it like you’re all taking that big step together, it will make you feel a little less alone. If you are having roommate troubles, feeling homesick or having trouble making friends, just know there is a good chance that many other first-years are feeling the exact same way. If you are ever feeling this way or are having trouble with any of these things, try talking to another first-year about it; you may be surprised how much they can relate and make the big world you just stepped into feel a little smaller.
2. Get to know your professors
Coming to college, talking to your professors might seem like a daunting task, but it is important to remember that they are there for your education. They can provide real-world experiences that go beyond what you can learn in a textbook. Each professor is proficient in whatever their field is, and they have numerous resources that they can give to college students looking to go into those same fields. Professors are great connections for the working world and are great mentors for internships too. You will find that most professors love to talk to their students about their own careers, and you will find that many professors are also involved in research and other careers on top of their teaching. It is never too early to start talking to your professors, and your professional relationships with them can turn into great letters of recommendation too if you are looking to continue school after undergrad.
3. Explore your college town as much as possible
This one is especially true if you plan on only living in your college town for the four years of undergrad. Four years may seem like a long time, but trust me it will go by fast. Therefore, you want to make sure to explore and get to know your college town as much as possible for the short four years that you are there. You will also find that you will enjoy college so much more if you enjoy your environment too. It will make your college town feel more like home, which from my experience, can really help when feeling homesick. Exploring your college town will give you great memories to look back on when you are living somewhere else after college. Your 20’s are also the best time to make new and exciting memories. This is also a great way to get out and connect with nature as well as support local businesses.
4. Pick up multiple hobbies
College is a great time to explore your interests. You will find almost an overwhelming amount of clubs and organizations you can join when entering college – try them all! They are great opportunities to find what your interests are and most clubs don’t require a crazy amount of commitment; you will find that you’ll get what you put into it. It’s also great to start joining organizations in your first year because it will keep you busy and is a perfect way to meet new people and potential friends who share the same interests as you. There is no better time than college to try new hobbies.
5. Time flies
I write this article with only three and a half quarters left of my college experience, and the biggest thing that I have learned is that time flies. I cannot emphasize enough how much college is such a special time for self-discovery and if you don’t cherish it while you’re in it, it can pass you by. College is our “selfish years,” meaning it is that short period of time where we have independence without all the responsibilities of the real world yet. As teenagers and young twenty-somethings, we are easily shaped by everything around us and everything that we choose to surround ourselves with. While the academic aspect of college is certainly important, sometimes we forget that the time we put into ourselves, our relationships, and our experiences, are too. All of these things will shape us in some way, and many will find themselves leaving college much different than how they entered, but that’s a good thing. College is all about learning, in the classroom and outside of it; we learn from our mistakes, our triumphs, and every experience in between.