I can still remember what it felt like during my first semester as a freshman. I wasn’t afraid of the big campus, or whether I would make friends, or if my classes would be hard. I knew I belonged here. But I just remember seeing all the seniors, hearing all of their accomplishments, and wondering if I would ever be that great. It sounded impossible then. But now, with just about a month left in my college career, I feel that I’ve done what I came here to do.
Yet I know there is another freshman out there, finishing up their first semester, dreaming of being great. To them, to you, I have some advice about what I’ve learned over these past few years that might help. In no particular order, these are the things that have helped me succeed, and survive, my college years.
- Go to your professors’ office hours
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I cannot stress enough how important it is to go to your professors’ office hours. When I first got to college, I was told to introduce myself after my first class with each professor so they could put a face to a name. But if that’s the only time you ever talk to them, they won’t remember you. Going to their office hours helps you make personal connections with them that are harder to make in a classroom setting. And talking one-on-one can really help you learn about the things you are struggling with or are just interested in. The biggest part of this is that most students don’t take advantage of office hours. Professors notice this. Be the student who goes and they will remember you. You’ll be a much better student in their eyes and in yours if you do.
- Call home
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Right now, everything is still so new to you here. You are still learning where your place is, who your friends are, and maybe even still learning where all the buildings on campus are— I still use Google Maps, so there’s no shame there. It can be really easy to get caught up in the newness, and that’s okay if you are, it just means you are living in the present moment. But while you’re here experiencing all these new things, your family back home is wondering about what you’re up to. Make a habit of calling home. I’m sure once you hear the voices on the other end of the line, you’ll realize how much you missed them too.
- Take a night off
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College can get hectic. It’s hard to find time between homework and classes and clubs, or even just doing laundry for yourself. Taking a night off every now and then is crucial to keeping your sanity, especially during the hardest weeks. For example, during finals I set aside a night where I watch a classic Disney movie, pop some popcorn, and nestle into bed with my softest blankets. I find it hard to pry myself away from work, but if I schedule a break amidst the chaos, then I can ease my mind into relaxing, leaving the work to be done the next day after I’m well rested. You need to make time to replenish your energy, physically and mentally, to be able to do what you need to do. So, when you feel yourself reaching the extent of your energy, take a night off.
- say “yes” often
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It can be really easy to shy away from opportunities when you don’t feel ready for them. But you have to learn to say “yes” when things are scary. The more things you open yourself up to, the more you’ll learn and the more you’ll get out of your college years. You never know what connections you’ll make or what doors the opportunities will open for you. To find out, you have to be willing to say “yes” and take a chance on yourself.
- Learn to say “no”
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It’s just as important to learn to say “no” as it is to say “yes.” You have to know where to draw the line between accepting a new opportunity and just taking on too much. If you don’t have enough time to give each responsibility the effort it needs for you to do well in it, then you’re not doing yourself justice. Learn to prioritize, especially how to prioritize yourself. It’s okay to say “no.”
- use laundry sanitizer
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Trust me. Detergent works, laundry sanitizer helps it work better.
- Take vitamin c during flu season
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Emergen-C has saved me so many times from catching the Hokie plague. You don’t have to take it every day— even though I definitely did for the first three years of college—but if you start to feel a scratch in the back of your throat, or you feel a little congested, or even if you’re just around a lot of sick people, taking Vitamin C will help boost your immune system. I’m not promising you’ll never get sick at school — you will, and please stay home when you do — but this supplement will definitely help you kick whatever your body is already trying to fight off.
- Don’t do things you don’t enjoy
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There’s a general definition of the “college experience” that gets thrown around too often. But that doesn’t have to be your experience. You get to decide how you spend your weekends, who you talk to, and what things you like to do. Sometimes it’s good to get out of your comfort zone. But if there are things that you know doing would not make you happy, then don’t do those things. It’s not worth it.
- have an elevator pitch about yourself
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You should be able to tell anyone who asks what you are studying and what goals you are working towards. This pitch should include your major(s) and minor(s), any research you’re doing, student organizations you help run, and what you want to do after college. These can just be bullet points in your head; it doesn’t need to be something overly prepared. You just want to have something in mind to say when someone asks you about yourself, so your accomplishments shine through instead of being hidden by stammering.
- enjoy it while it lasts
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I had to end with this. I know everyone says it, but it’s true. College is going to go by so much faster than high school did. It’s especially scary because at the end of college is the real world. So, take your time here. Know when to act grown up and when to act like a kid. Look around campus. Go to the school-sponsored events. Be excited about all the things you get to do here even if they seem silly. They might be silly, but they’re important to you now and that’s what matters. Laugh about it later. In fact, laugh about everything. College can seem so serious at times, but it’s just a part of your life, and you should enjoy it while you’re here. These are the last few years of your education, the end of sixteen years of your life. But it’s only the beginning of the rest of your life. And you’re going to do wonderfully.
So, from a graduating senior to you young Hokies, good luck. Trust yourself. Trust the process. And always keep jumping.