By Adrianne Hutto
As I start the second semester of my junior year, there are a lot of things about my college experience that have been different than I expected when I went into college as a freshman. While some are good and some are bad, regardless of what you experience in college you will always be grateful for the experience.
- Time goes by quickly.
The biggest takeaway from my freshman year intro to communications class was when my professor told us that college would go by in an instant. He said that, “before you know it, you’ll be in your senior year.” This is absolutely true. While your freshman year will feel long and stressful, once it passes, you will blink and suddenly you’re a senior about to graduate.
- Join as many clubs as you have time for.
Most of the time during your freshman year you sign up for a dozen clubs and then ignore their emails for the rest of college. However, being part of clubs is extremely important in college because it helps you to network and learn about things you wouldn’t normally do in your classes. Also, it helps expand your social circle and helps you to be more involved with the going ons of your school. Pick one or two clubs you like and stick with them, you won’t regret it.
- Intern as much as you can.
While internships are hard to get and can be stressful to manage with school, internships are really important post-grad. Having experience with other companies on your resume will help to ensure you can get a job or internship after college. Go to your school’s academic success center or your academic department to get ideas about where to apply but also look online and on LinkedIn. While some positions are age specific and some places are looking for older students, you’re never too young to apply.
- Start building a resume/ portfolio as early as possible.
It’s never too early to start working on your resume or portfolio. Your resume holds all the information about where you worked and what you did for the companies you worked for. A portfolio, however, has physical copies of the work you have done (i.e. articles, art, videos, etc.) It’s good to start working on these things early so when it comes time to apply for jobs or internships you have everything you need in one place. Making a portfolio can be done easily through Google Sites and resume templates can be gotten online or through your professors/ department chair.
- You don’t have to party EVERY weekend.
Going into college as a freshman you may be excited to go to parties every weekend. While these can be fun, it’s important to remember that a board game night or a dinner party with your friends can be just as fun. When you do go out, you don’t always have to drink excessively either. You can be safe and have fun.
- You won’t be friends with everyone forever.
One of the hardest things about college is that friends do come and go. Whether because of petty drama or because they realize college isn’t for them. Prioritize the people who are important to you while you can and try to be accepting if they go.
- Avoid drama, be nice to everyone.
In college you may find yourself swept up in the same kinds of drama you experienced in high school. Some people take a little bit longer to mature and it shows. My advice is to not engage. If you find yourself in the middle of a situation that makes you uncomfortable, express your feelings as nicely as possible and remove yourself from the situation.
- Don’t waste your money.
As a freshman in college my first semester I spent so much money. Because I still had a meal plan and I worked a few days a week I usually had a lot of money that could be spent on going out. While it is easy to spend your money on silly things like dinners, Ubers and parties, my advice is to set that money aside for trips [spring break, study abroad] or special occasions [birthday dinners, anniversaries] that may come in the future.