As a senior who is graduating in around two months, I have had the chance to reflect on my past four years in college. I would not change my experiences and believe that everything happens for a reason. However, here is some advice that I would give to my freshman self that may resonate with you.
1. Keep up with the many friends you meet in the beginning of freshman year!
During freshman everyone wants to be friends and you will meet a lot of people. Eventually, you might find a group of close friends and your friendships with the many people you have met will become strained. You want to focus on your friend group, but please stay in touch with people outside your circle. College is a long four years, and your friend group may not last. You will wish that you stayed in touch with the many other wonderful people you met.
2. Make friends with the people in your major!
Along with your other friends, prioritize fostering relationships with the people in your major. You will be spending a lot of time with these people over the next four years. You will have classes with these same people, work together on group projects, and help each other with work or studying. Some of my best friends on campus are the ones in my major. We have gone from talking about classes and assignments, to a genuine friendship not based on academics. You have similar interests and spend a great deal of time together, why wouldn’t you want to be friends with them!
3. Say yes to new experiences and go to campus events!
When I was a freshman, campus events seemed lame and I was more interested in going to parties. Parties will get old and you will get tired of walking up every weekend hungover. Campus events are a ton of fun: you meet new people, have unique experiences, and most of the time there is free food!
4. Prioritize self-care!
Life in college can get overwhelming. We have a ton of academic pressure, pressure from ourselves and pressure from others. It is easy to put taking care of ourselves on the back burner.
Please take time for yourself and do things that make YOU happy and not what will make others happy. Here are a few self-care ideas: exercise, journal, color, watch your favorite tv show by yourself or with friends, read for fun, eat your favorite meal, have a spa night.