- It’s okay to be homesick
First semester freshman year, I am proud to say I immersed myself into campus life. I focused on making friends, exploring Portland, and managing my schedule. I was so busy, I did not even have time to feel homesick. Besides, having october break and thanksgiving break off made the transition to college life an easier one. Everything was fresh and exhilarating. However, after a month off for Christmas break, I began to feel a numbing homesickness. The weather became rainier, my classes became more challenging, and I even began to doubt my major. Homesickness became all too real. Although I don’t think there was much to do to change that, I wish I knew it was okay to confide in friends and acknowledge that it was a natural feeling.
2. Winter weather can take a toll
Perhaps surprisingly, the student body is composed of many Californians who come and manage to brave the cold climate. It took me two years to even get rainboots. Perhaps it was denial? As winter weather takes a toll on mood, it can be easy to let your health go by the wayside. Opening the shutters up first thing in the morning, eating a balanced diet, and exercising can ease feelings of the winter blues.
3. Save early, and save often
You don’t have to become a tech wizard to live by this adage. Save early and save often refers to saving work on your computer often. I had added a minor in English my sophomore year, and in addition to my major in education, I as doing a ton of writing. Unfortunately, I would lose a lot of work when my computer would shut down. Simply saving your work often eliminates this problem.
4. Become involved
Although I got good grades freshman year and made time for socializing, I definitely still felt like something was missing. I added an English minor sophomore year in order to fulfill my love of writing. Although I did enjoy some of the readings we did, it was hard to keep up with all of it. Also, the writing was unlike any writing I had ever done before. It was not until junior year that I signed up for multiple clubs. I did not end up sticking with most of them, but I did find one I really enjoyed, writing for HerCampus. I am now able to enjoy writing without the intensity of an English minor, which I intend on dropping.
5. Get sleep
In high school, I did not sleep. I lived off coffee. However, in college, I noticed I felt tired earlier. Whether that was my age or the weather, I do not know. Regardless, I did not get enough sleep. It took me longer to make decisions, compromised my immune system, and made it harder to stay awake in class. I realized just because my roommate stayed up late, it did not mean I had to.
6. Don’t make the perfect the enemy of the good
As an underclassmen, I would often spend hours trying to compose the perfect email. I would stress about all my classes and struggle over my priorities. Sometimes, it is okay to get a C in a class. As an A and B student, I strive to get high grades. However, in college, there are sometimes classes that you should strive to pass.
7. It is a good idea to find a middle ground
This rule can apply to many situations. Maybe you discovered that you feel bored doing only twelve credits, but eighteen is too much. Maybe fifteen is the perfect courseload for you. Another example is that I was looking to eat healthier freshman year. I have a fondness for sweets. During the week, I went without sugar. However, I treated myself to a sweet once a week. This was during our floors Monday night “Bachelor” nights, when our RA would make s’mores.
8. Going home will never be the same
When I first went home for vacation, I realized that I often felt like a guest in my own home. Parents sometimes would forget that I was an adult. I grew more independent, and although my parents joked that I still had to do the dishes, there was still a feeling that something had changed.
9. Make health a priority
It is important to realize that there will always be an obligation, a to-do list, and another goal to tackle. However, if you exercise, eat right, and give time to yourself to decompress, then it will give your brain the fuel it needs to do these tasks well.
10. The two years will go by fast
Whether you are enjoying your first two years of college, or having trouble, remember that the first two years of college will go by fast! Yes, it is important to get good grades. But remember to enjoy yourself too!