Being a first-year college student, I have been offered many different pieces of advice to help with my adjustment to college life. Based on my own experiences with college so far and getting used to life at Fairfield University, I have decided to gather some pieces of advice that I would like to share with my fellow first-years.
So, here are 7 pieces of advice for a first-year Fairfield student, from a first-year Fairfield student!
1. Don’t be afraid to eat alone.
Sometimes it can be hard to find friends to go eat with, since everybody has different schedules. Don’t be afraid to grab a meal by yourself! Plus, the Tully is a great place to meet people, so sit with someone new and make a friend! You can also get a lot of work done there, as long as you don’t mind the background noise.
2. Stay organized.
As many times as you have probably heard this piece of advice, it’s important for all students, not just first years, to take seriously. Write your homework down in a planner every day, make to-do lists, and hang a calendar in your dorm. My favorite thing to use for organization is Post-It notes because writing things on Post-Its makes ~everything official~!
3. Don’t be afraid to talk to someone new.
People have been telling us that we may not meet our college best friends until sophomore year or later, but who says we can’t meet them this year? If you see someone sitting alone, go over and introduce yourself!
4. Call your family regularly.
Your parents most likely have helped you in tremendous ways to get you to where you are today, so it’s only fair that you stay in contact with them and keep them updated on all the great things you are doing here at Fairfield. Hearing from you every once in a while will mean a lot to them!
5. Eat healthy and get enough sleep.
These two things will be very influential in your success at Fairfield. Eating healthy is important because you don’t want to gain that ~scary~ Freshman 15. Getting enough sleep will help you stay awake in your classes, which is ~so~ important!
6. It’s an adjustment for everyone, so go at your own pace.
It’s already been almost a month since we moved in, but don’t be nervous if you still don’t feel 100% comfortable. I know that I don’t feel 100% comfortable yet, but I am getting there – and you will too. Keep doing what you’re doing!
7. It’s not too early to start thinking about your future.
Do you know what you want to do with your life in the future? If you don’t know, it’s totally okay. Don’t stress! If you do know, or at least have an idea of what you want to do, then that’s great! You should be excited! The future is open to so many possibilities, and our journey to getting there is only just beginning.