Advice to the College Freshman
"Welcome to the real world. It sucks! You're gonna love it!"
By Raelynn DusenberyPublished 4 years ago • 7 min read
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- Locate your classes before they start, so you don’t get lost on the first day. Most campus buildings are open before classes start so students can wander.
- Wait until after syllabus week to buy your textbooks. They might not be required. It’ll save you lots of money.
- Or email your professors ahead of time if you are that worried about the textbooks.
- Be respectful of other’s differing opinions in blackboard or in class discussions.
- Carry a sweatshirt. It may be 100 degrees outside, but chances are it’s 30 degrees in your lecture hall.
- Chegg.com. ‘Nuf said.
- Every time you skip class it costs you money. Go to class. (unless you are dying or have no other time to finish something more important for another class)
- Expect to stay the entire 2-4 hours of your lab.
- Get the number of at least one person in each class during syllabus week.
- If you skip class email your teachers. As long as you're not just being lazy they are normally pretty understanding.
- If you wanna dress up for class, dress up for class. If you wanna pull up in the sweatshirt you wore yesterday, that’s okay too! Literally no one cares what you wear.
- Keep old tests! They are more valuable than they seem. Many professors reuse questions on the final from exams and if not they are great study guides.
- Keep your syllabi!! You will need it up until the last day. Trust me!
- Sit in the first two rows. Just do it. Seriously. You will be less inclined to get on your phone, not pay attention to lecture/discussion material if the material is two feet away from you.
- Sit in the front. Go up and introduce yourself to your professor after the first day, say you’re looking forward to the class. Build a relationship! Professors do not round grades for students they don’t at least recognize
- Sometimes if you go to your professor’s office hours and ask questions a day or two before an exam they will steer you towards information that will be covered.
- Do not join a sorority! Spend your money, time and energy elsewhere. There are plenty of other organizations that you can join that cost nothing and have just as much if not more fun and you’ll have friends you aren’t paying to be fake.
- First semester is easier if you get involved with something! Join clubs, go to events.
- If you can handle it with your class load, get a job on campus. It’s a good way to make friends and be active.
- Buy snacks for your dorm room. Hungry late night you will be grateful.
- Cafeteria food gets old quick but be open to new ideas and don’t stick with pizza all the time.
- The dorms are bad but you will get through it. It's part of the college experience. Try not to hate it too much.
- And earbuds! Seriously.
- Bring your chargers with you everywhere!
- Buy an umbrella.
- Carry a water bottle.
- Chances are you’re paying a lot of money to be where you are. Have fun but put grades first!
- Just because you woke up early every day in high school doesn’t mean you will be able to in college. Take 8 AM’s only if necessary.
- Conversely, you might just realize you are a morning person in college. Leave the rest of us morning moles alone please.
- DD for friends. That’s better than putting them in a bad situation.
- Don’t be afraid to drop a class that doesn’t fit you, but talk to your advisor first.
- Don’t feel pressured to go out and drink because college. It’s not for everybody.
- Drink water!
- Go out, make friends, if you drink, do so responsibly and don’t be stupid.
- It’s okay to change your major. Find what fits you.
- Keep an eye on your drink at all times.
- Parking sucks. Try walking to class if you can. It will save you money and stress from parking and help you stay healthy.
- Remember that college is a new beginning.
- Talk to your advisor! Let them advise you!!! I talk to mine all the time.
- There’s no dress code in college. Just be mindful that those surrounding you are potential professional connections. A lot of college is networking.
- Utilize services your tuition covers. This can include, mental and physical health services, legal help, gym subscriptions, etc.
- You’re gonna get a lot of free stuff. Take advantage.
- Be honest with your support system. Many times, those closest to us would help us in a heartbeat, but they never knew we needed help in the first place.
- Exercise will not only help avoid the freshman 15 but also make you feel better physically and mentally.
- Have fun. You don’t have to go out every single weekend. But go get coffee or study with a friend. Have some sort of interaction with others.
- If your friends are pressuring you to do things you are uncomfortable with then they are not your friends.
- It’s okay to miss your parents. Call them. (they miss you too)
- Its okay to not be okay.
- Mental health is just as important as physical health.
- Realize that grades do not define your intelligence. Smart isn’t just from books.
- Realize that sometimes we fail classes, but it does not mean that we are not “smart enough.”
- The freshman 15 is real and it is coming for you. But it’s okay. You’re still awesome. (in all honesty I lost weight but I know many people who gained wait but just remember to try to be healthy.)
- Your mental health is important. College can be overwhelming. Know your limits. Seek help if you need it.
- College is learning who you are. It takes time. It takes a lot of growing. And that’s okay.
- COLLEGE IS NETWORKING. Act professional and work with others.
- Don’t stay in that toxic relationship. Romantic or friends.
- Finding a religious support group I could go to has helped me with shit I've went through, and I think having a spiritual life in college can do the same for you.
- Keep in touch with your friends/family from back home.
- Stand up for yourself, what you believe in, and others.
- Stick to your morals. Don’t let what others say push you away from what you stand for.
- You are an adult now, act like it. Be a good person.
- Ask friends and family if they have microwaves and mini fridges that they would be willing to loan you. If not, many retailers have sales before school starts.
- Be respectful of your roommate’s space.
- Communicate if they are doing something that annoys you. Speak your mind. If its not working, switch rooms. Tell housing to shove it and get out of a situation that is toxic.
- Do invest in some good plates and tupperware. Yes this is for dorm kids.
- Get a power strip. Or three.
- It’s okay if you’re not best friends with your roommate. I learned this the hard way.
- Keep your dorm clean. The only thing worse than a tiny space is a messy one.
- Respect quiet hours.
- Save the boxes you use to move into your dorm/apartment. You will need them come move out.
- You really don’t need to bring all of your clothes, expensive jewelry, and decorations to your dorm. Just enough clothes to fit in your drawers/closet for all seasons, and a couple sentimental items to remind you of home.
- Your MWF life does not know your T/TR life. You can totally hit those clothes with some Febreeze and wear them on rotation.
- On that note try to do laundry at least every two weeks.
- Remember FASFA every year.
- Searching for scholarships doesn’t stop when you get to college. Keep looking for them and applying for them.
- Don’t study yourself into the ground. After college you’re a real life adult - enjoy college while it lasts.
- Find your study space. The library is your friend.
- Live and die by the syllabi, but know that professors will change things up randomly. They will also announce things in class that are not on the syllabus at random.
- There will be weeks when you have nothing due, and then there will be weeks when you have 5 exams 14 assignments and 2 papers due all at once. Take advantage of down time. Work ahead!! Make life easier for your future self.
- Write things down!! Planner, phone, sticky notes, laptop, etc.
- And most of all enjoy it and BE YOU because YOU ARE AMAZING!!
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