As my freshman year of college comes to an end, I am experiencing a wide range of emotions. I am feeling incredibly grateful for one of the best years of my life so far, and it is so bittersweet to see it end so soon. I have learned so much about myself throughout my first year of college, and there are so many pieces of advice I wish I could give to my past self as I was preparing for college. I have complied a list of 15 things I wish that nervous girl knew as she was entering her dorm room for the first time.
1. You will adjust to dorm life.
As hard as it may be to believe, your single dorm room will quickly become a home away from home. Your lofted XL twin bed will soon become your favorite and most comfortable thing to return to after a long day. The communal bathroom situation soon becomes second nature, and you will quickly figure out which shower has the best water pressure. (pssst…first one on the right). You will make so many wonderful memories in the dorm, and I encourage you to enjoy every moment you have in this temporary home.
2. People you’ve known for a few short months become some of the greatest, closest friends you’ve ever had.
I know that right now it may seem frightening to make new friends/introduce yourself. A thousand doubts are lurking in the back of your mind, and you are wondering if people will like you and want to become your friend, too. Well rest assured you are about to meet some of the most genuine, true, kind-hearted friends of your whole life. You will wonder how you have made it through life before college without them, and you will thank yourself for having the courage to say hello.
3. Don’t be so hard on yourself.
Your confidence will be tested many times this year. There will be days when you simply feel that you are inadequate, but there will also be days when you feel on top of your game. There are many people here in the same boat as you, even though it doesn’t always seem that way. Take a deep breath and know that you are fully capable of achieving the dreams inside your head.
4. Always carry an umbrella with you. No exceptions.
You don’t want to be walking out of your last class of the day into a heavy downpour without an umbrella to keep you dry. If you do this, you will find yourself seeking shelter and stranded in random lobbies, and you will get soaking wet on your way there. Save yourself the trouble and always have it handy.
5. Be prepared for your coffee addiction to become much more severe.
Prepare to consume more coffee than you ever have before. I know you think you drink a decent amount of coffee now, but you will soon come to rely on it in college. Pretty soon your days will feel incomplete without your morning cup of joe, and you will find yourself constantly craving an iced vanilla latte. It is important to treat yourself, but try to be mindful of saving money while also fueling your coffee addiction.
6. One bad grade doesn’t define you.
You are about to work harder on your schoolwork than ever before, but remember that there is more to your college experience than just getting a high GPA. I’m proud of you for making your studies a priority, but remember not to beat yourself up over a bad grade on a test you studied hours for. There will always be a way to leverage your grade in a course throughout the semester, so take a deep breath. You are going to have your highs and lows, but just know that these will all amount to something amazing.
7. Organize and manage your time well.
This is a skill you will keep working on your whole life, but you will eventually find out that your planner is one of your best friends, and checking items off of your to-do list is incredibly satisfying.
8. You will be torn between two places you love equally as much.
Homesickness is very real, and it will hit you daily. You will soon know how hard it is to be away from your family, but absence truly does make the heart grow fonder. Thank goodness for phone calls and FaceTime sessions back home because they will truly pull you through. Even though it will be hard to be away from home, you will also fall in love with your amazing school. You will be able to consider two beautiful places your home, and that is such a blessing.
9. You will quickly master the art of speed walking to class when necessary.
Campus is a big place, and there will be times when it will be necessary to speed walk to class. I know that having two classes 10 minutes apart and separated by the Pentacrest hill sounded like a good idea, but you will learn that you have to speed walk to make it on time. On the bright side, you will get a great calf workout in the process.
10. You won’t always be the smartest person in the room, and that’s okay.
You will often feel inferior and question if you are smart enough for this class or if you have what it takes to join this student organization. You will often be afraid to give your opinions when everyone seems so much smarter than you. Please remember that your voice matters, and you deserve to be in every classroom you enter. You got this!
11. Hawkeye Spirit is a beautiful thing.
You already know this, but just know that your love and passion for the Hawkeyes will continue to strengthen. You will be surrounded by other Hawkeye fans and students who are just as passionate as you are about cheering on the Hawks, and it will be one of the best parts of your college experience. So be ready to break out your black and gold attire and cheer on those Hawkeyes!
12. Go to office hours.
I know it may seem intimidating at first to walk into your professor or TA’s office hours, but there is nothing to be afraid of. Simply introducing yourself makes a difference, and they can be very helpful if you need help on an assignment or knowing what to study for the next test.
13. Implementing a steady workout regimen is crucial.
You will soon realize how important this is when you are eating buffet style almost every meal of the day. Exercising will be so beneficial for yourself both physically and mentally, and you will thank yourself by the end of the semester for sticking with it.
14. You will have the urge to change your major often, so just roll with it.
You will experience this feeling multiple times during this first year, but that’s totally normal and okay. I give you props for constantly self reflecting and making sure you are studying what truly interests you.
15. You are about to have a wonderful first year at the University of Iowa, one of the most beautiful and life-changing places in your life so far.
You definitely made the right decision when you chose the University of Iowa. It really is such a beautiful place that will exceed all of your greatest expectations. After graduating from a high school class size of 60 people, a Big Ten University is exactly the change you need. This campus is filled with picture perfect landscapes, and you will soon discover your favorite study spots. You will find yourself amazed and excited by the new opportunities that surround you every day, and it will feel like home. I want you to embrace the journey and be ready to experience an amazing freshman year at the University of Iowa.