There is a drastic change between life in high school and college. Many times during my first year at UMKC I struggled mentally, physically and socially due to this change. The activities, classes and jobs you are involved in have an affect on your social life. Your body or your immune system are affected by your routines and how you take care of yourself. Lastly, the combination of your physical health, social life and daily routines have an effect on your mental health. After my first year of college as an out-of-state student involved in Greek life, Her Campus and a work-study, here are my 5 takeaways.
- decorate your room
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The residential hall rooms are very bland when you first move in. Make it a goal to create a space where you are able to relax once you come home. Creating a Pinterest board before buying a rug, wall decorations or bedding will allow you to create a cohesive environment. Throughout the year, decorate for the different holidays the same way your parents did when you were at home. Doing this definitely helped me during the times when I was homesick or was feeling down.
- your first friend group will not last
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The first month of school is the most important in meeting new people. Everyone is looking to make friends with the people around them, even if they are returning students. At first, you will find other students to go to events and the dining hall with but as people find their place on campus you will lose them along the way. You will realize who you like spending time with and who you do not. Eventually, you will find friends who align with your morals and goals in life.
- make connections with your professors and advisors
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Everyone knows that in life it’s not about what you know, it’s about who you know. Even if you think you will never come in contact with a professor or person ever again, you most likely will. It is important to be a respectful student and person to everyone you meet on campus. If you can, introduce yourself to your professors and advisors. Make yourself known, they should know your name and at least one fact about you before the end of the semester. This will be helpful later on when you are networking, have a question about your profession or need a recommendation letter.
- create routines for yourself
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Creating a routine was the hardest part of college that I had to learn and I still struggle with it even after a year of living as an adult. There needs to be structure in your life in order to succeed in college where everything seems to change unexpectedly. To be in control of your physical and mental health you must create time to go outside, move your body, create a schedule, understand your responsibilities, execute your tasks, and find time to relax. Schedule in time for specific things that you will do repeatedly every day, morning, night, week or month.
- be curious.
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Being curious has been the most helpful tip I have used since going to college. When you first arrive, be willing to join an activity you might have the slightest interest in, if you don’t like it you can leave. Be willing to go to events by yourself, explore every building on campus, say hello to the people who sit next to you in class, try for a leadership position and push yourself out of your comfort zone. This mentality has gotten me into my work-study position, sorority chair position and the Jr. Instagram correspondent position for Her Campus. Without being curious I wouldn’t have met the friends I have right now or been able to gain the experiences I have had.
Going into college was a scary experience and there were many nights where I cried myself to sleep because of the unknown. The things you do know are the things you can control. You can create your own routines, decorate your room, choose who you want to spend time with and how you interact with other people. I hope this article can help any student who is going to college in the next couple of months. The biggest takeaway from my first year, and something that I will continue to do is to keep an open mind.