This May I will be graduating from the University of Tampa as a marketing major. As a senior there are definingly some things I wish I knew before starting college, so I came up with a list of the top 5 Tips from a senior to a freshman in college.
#1 Join A Club
Joining a club is honestly the easiest way to meet people, especially as a freshman. I didn’t join any clubs until my junior year and it is probably one of my biggest regrets throughout my college experience. Being in a club also gives you more opportunities to do things outside of campus, like fun trips or volunteering experiences. This can also be a great resume booster as it shows you are involved with your school. I may be a little biased since I am a member, but Her Campus is definitely a great club to join!
#2 Get Out of Your Comfort Zone
College is the perfect time to break out of your shell and try new things. During my college experience I was given so many opportunities to speak about things I’m passionate about and create projects that I never believed would be possible. There are so many students and faculty members who want to see you thrive and are willing to help you every step of the way – if you want to take those steps.
#3 Keep Your Syllabus
If you take away anything from this article remember this tip! The first week of classes your professors will give you a syllabus detailing what the semester is going to look like. The syllabus will have things like important dates for exams/homework, how much assignments are worth, and contact information. Usually at the beginning of every semester, I like to print or save the syllabus to my desktop and create a calendar using each syllabus. Keeping your syllabus until the end of the year is important because some professors will change schedules or due dates.
#4 Take Advantage of Your Schools Career Center
Going to college is all about preparing yourself for your future careers. Career centers are perfect for getting help on resumes, cover letters, interviews, and so much more! You can also visit your school’s career center if you are unsure of the career path you want to take after college, and they can recommend different options regarding what you can do to reach your goals. I started college undecided for my major and after visiting my career center they helped me build the path I am on today as a marketing major!
#5 Take Time for Yourself and Don’t Take School too Seriously
College can be stressful and sometimes overwhelming, so it’s always important to take time for yourself. Some of my favorite ways to destress are hanging with friends, painting, or going for walks on the beach. My other tip that goes with this is to take your time in college. Life can get crazy and if you need to take a semester off that is totally okay. It took me 5 years to graduate because of school transfers and taking time for my mental health. At first, I was really bummed to not graduate with the rest of my friends and not graduate in the “typical” four years, but honestly, I am so grateful for that extra year. I’ve made more friends and had more opportunities to grow myself and my career.