Before you even move into your dorm room, or attend your first football game, you have probably devoured countless clickbait-y articles telling you what and what not to do your freshman year of college. Beware the freshman fifteen. Don’t join too many clubs. Luckily for you, I’ve separated college fact from fiction. Read on for five popular pieces of college advice debunked by my real college experience.
Myth: The freshman fifteen is real and you will gain it if you’re not careful.
Real Advice: While many students gain weight during their first year of college, the average amount gained is closer to 7 ½ pounds. If you get in the habit of eating healthy and hitting the gym a few times a week early in the semester, you’ll likely be fine. Additionally, you might even find yourself losing weight – a girl I knew freshman year reported losing weight because of the all the walking she did to get from class to class.
Myth: Signing up for 8 AMs is a death wish.
Reality: You just really have to know yourself on this one. Some students loathe 8 AMs, some students prefer getting their classes out of the way earlier in the day. If you like staying up until 3, early classes probably aren’t for you…but if you’ve always been a morning person, you’re probably safe to sign up for that 8 AM calculus slot.
Myth: You can’t do an internship your first year.
Reality: You can probably do an internship any time you want, tbh. Freshman year, you not only have more time for an internship but such a position likely help you get a job or campus leadership position in your later college years. Worried you don’t have enough experience to intern your first year? Try your school’s career center or internship office.
Myth: Always listen to what other students in your major say about their professors.
Reality: Every warning I’ve ever received about a particular professor was helpful, but didn’t tell me the whole story. Yes, Prof. X was difficult…but he gave generous extra credit on every single exam. And while Dr. C might have graded my friend’s essay harshly in one course, in the lower division course I took from her over 50% of the students got an A on the first exam. Lesson learned – take advice from friends with a generous grain of salt.
Myth: Only pick one club you really enjoy to get involved in your first semester.
Reality: I could have gotten more involved my freshman year, but had read so many articles warning me not to overwhelm myself. If you have a history of overwhelming yourself with too many commitments, maybe use high school as a warning and join one club your first semester of college. However, if you thrive with a busier schedule, definitely use freshman year as an opportunity to get involved in more clubs and campus events.
Your freshman year of college is definitely an adjustment, but debunking common college myths can chase away some of the butterflies fluttering in your stomach before your first day of class. Good luck, freshman collegiettes!