Thinking about facing the “real world” is scary, especially when you’re only months away from leaving the institution that has become part of you. Knowing what I know now about the college lifestyle, I think it’s important to share what every student, current or upcoming, should know about college.
Put yourself out there
Fellow students may not show it, but everyone is adjusting or re-adjusting to the incoming semester. But once you’re back into the swing of things, make sure to socialize! Having a core group of friends to have your back is always great, but pushing yourself to make other friends is even better.
My recommendation is to join a social club or find a study buddy in a class you’re in. This will help break some of the awkwardness of making a new friend. Plus, it’ll give you something that you already have in common and can talk about!
Your core friend group will always be your friends, but widening your social circle can help with future classes or finding a roommate. Even better, it may help you make a new best friend.
Simply put: when in doubt, go out.
Utilize the professors
Every college campus has an abundance of amazing professors that you have free to your disposal. Get to know them! Go to office hours, contact professors when you’re struggling in class, get academic and career advice from those who teach in the field you’re interested in. They’re there for you and are more than willing to help you with your life, academic or otherwise.
Choose your classes wisely
Make sure you’re actually interested in all of the classes you take. It sucks to have a class at 8 am, but don’t let that be the determining factor of if you take a class or not. You may regret it later.
Most importantly, don’t be shy about getting help, even if teachers or professors in your past have never offered it before. Not speaking up will have you struggle more, which may ruin not only GPA, but your chance of getting into a higher level class in that same field the next semester. Many schools have teaching assistants, tutors, writing centers, and other easily accessible resources that can boost your grade. Never be afraid to do whatever it takes to strive for success.
Plan, plan, plan!
The number one thing I have learned from college is to always carry some type of planner. I’ve always made sure to have both a digital copy (usually an app like Google Calendar) and a hard copy with me so that I’m sure of my schedule and when I have free time to socialize.
Being a planner, however, is something that can be a challenge to overcome. During Senior year, a lot of things may change last minute – but sometimes it’s for the best. Deadlines may be moved back, meeting times change, or class may be canceled. But learning to adapt to these last-minute changes allows you to be flexible, a skill that is wonderful for the job market.
Do something outside of your comfort zone
Personally, I struggled to adapt to college for a while. It took me almost my whole college career to find an activity where I felt that I was pushing myself to do something new and find a place where I belonged. But by putting myself out there, I have been able to find an activity that I enjoy, gain new friends, and hold myself accountable to work out.
I’ll never regret joining my college’s women’s lacrosse team, but I will always regret not joining it sooner.
Stay safe
Always know where you’re going and who you are going to be with. It’s awesome to be able to socialize and make new friends, but it’s also to put yourself and your safety first.
Key things to remember are: always tell someone where you’re going, bring someone you know and trust to locations you’re not familiar with or comfortable in, and set a plan of how to get out of a difficult situation.
It’s impossible to know what outcomes of uncomfortable scenarios may be, but you should always make your safety a priority.
Take care of yourself
If you are feeling lonely or homesick, you are not alone. College is ingrained into our minds for years, yet when we arrive it is a huge adjustment. For some of us, being at school takes a larger toll than for others. Whether it be homesickness, trauma, or any other range of problems, it is important to always remember to take care of yourself.
Not everyone has the same methods, but some that are commonly used (and that I’d highly recommend) are meditation, therapy, essential oils, and seeking out a trusted ally. What’s important to remember is self-care is key.