Adjusting to College Life: A Word of Advice for Incoming Freshman

Adjusting to College Life: A Word of Advice for Incoming Freshman

I remember the night before I started college like the back of my hand. I had so many emotions whirling around in my head, like what if I get lost? What if I’m going to make virtually zero friends? How about the food … am I going to gain like a bajillion pounds? How does anybody expect me to college and what if I fail my classes? But, I also remember having another feeling: excitement. While the school year has officially kicked off to a great start, I thought it may be helpful to give you some tips and tricks on how to adjust to the college life! 

Don’t let your own expectations get in the way. I know, what a strange way to start an article, right? But, seriously .. try not to let yourself stand in the way of having the best year possible. Sure, you may not get an A on that test or maybe the major you picked is turning out to not be the right fit for you. Don’t let these things put a damper of letting your year unfold the way it should, naturally. And try not to let other people’s experiences create unrealistic expectations for your own. Be prepared for the unexpected and enjoy all of the small surprises to come. 

Be Yourself. Cliché, maybe. But true, yes. Ever since you were little, you’ve always heard this phrase. College comes with all sorts of pressures like .. do I really want to go to parties and start drinking? Am I ready to let my relationships go further than they have in the past? Is this who I really want to be? And the answer is simply, yes. Yes, to the fact that you have the right to your own opinion. Yes, to the fact that you have the right to be whoever you choose to be. There is only one you, so choose to be a good one. And when you’re not sure of who you are .. keep going, because odds are you’re exactly where you need to be because you truly never know who else may be looking for someone exactly like you. 

Don’t be afraid of change. College is full of new experiences. The person you were when you first stepped a foot into your dorm will probably not be the same one as when you’re about to leave. Trust me, I can attest to this. But, change is an inevitable part of the college experience. While change can be intentional and otherwise inevitable, it always allows us a chance to grow and develop into the people we are meant to become. Who you are on the inside will never change though, so be sure to trust that small voice in your head. And when that small voice turns against you, there’s always time to keep growing! Remember to view change as a blessing and believe that things will always work out the way they are supposed to. Take it easy! 

You will make mistakes. Just like change, mistakes are inevitable. Whether it be skipping an important class, hooking up with someone who really doesn’t deserve you, or letting the party get the best of you … everyone is bound to make at least one of these mistakes. But, when these mistakes happen, don’t beat yourself up about it. Take it all as a learning experience, try to grow and use it to make a better decision in the future. Remember that college isn’t all about quantum physics and calculus problems but it’s also for learning about life and how to become an awesome, responsible young adult. Accept that you’ll make mistakes and this will help you become the person you want to be even faster.   

And always remember … 

Now, go out and rock it like I know you can!

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