What a college freshman should know

Welcome to college

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It is quite ironical that, in most cases, that the things that scare you the most about college are the same ones that excite you. It’s the land of the unknown, not sure what to expect. Leaving the comfort of home is a big deal. So how do you start college on the right foot?

Don’t Get Involved with the Wrong Crowd

Making new friends does not necessarily come quickly to most people. The type of friends that you make at this stage can either help shape you or bring out the worst version of yourself. As a freshman, you may find yourself making friends during orientation. This is where many go wrong; you should not feel obligated to stay in a dangerous group of friends just because of this. If they turn out to be the wrong company, feel free to walk away. Peer pressure is a weakness that one should watch out for. As much as there are some terrible groups in college, there are also some pretty cool students who can turn out to be your life friends.

Manage Your Time Properly

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Use class planners to get yourself organized

This is not high school. Here, no one is going to remind you of deadlines and coming exams. Once you receive your college syllabus, it will be up to you to find a way to balance everything. You will have to learn how to balance between heavy class load and social life. You can start by utilizing a day planner, giving priority to the tasks with deadlines. Be disciplined and follow a strict schedule. This is the way to get through the first semester.

Less is more in Packing

You do not need to bring everything from home. It can be a stressful process in deciding what to pack for college. Remember that the space you’re moving into is small and with little storage. A good tip is to bring along stuff that you can share with your roommate, this way; you will both have adequate space in the room. Try and stick to the essential things that you make use of on the daily.

Join Organizations and Clubs

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Screenshot of Craft Club

This point cannot be stressed enough. Make it your goal to be in something bigger than yourself while in college. As much as doing well in class is your primary objective, making friends is a vital aspect in itself. If you plan to go to classes and then to the dorm room with no life after course, chances are, your college experience will be dull. Try different clubs if need be until you find the perfect fit. Surrounding yourself with like-minded students will be healthy for you. Meeting different people and making plenty of connections is another way of networking. You will thank your future self when you find that you know people in various industries.

Get Along with Roommates

Sharing a small space is a huge transition that you have to adjust to quickly. Your roommate is the person who you will be sharing the better part of college with. You do not have to be best friends, but you have to find common ground. For best partnerships, it is vital to set ground rules from day one. Have conversations on cleaning schedules or any arising issue. Try your best to ensure that you are on the same page.

Have Fun!

It may sound obvious, but many freshmen become robots once they join college. Don’t obsess in being the best essay writer in class. Relax, you do not have to worry about every detail on how your life will turn out. You indeed have the rest of your life to figure out how things will work out. Work hard but also remember to have fun!

Conclusion

You have made it to college. Stay true to your dreams. For a smooth transition, pick a best friend who will be your companion. It’s essential to have someone who will have you back during the good and ugly times of your course. You will have plenty of firsts here, don’t let them define you. It may take you a day or even weeks, but eventually, you will find your place. Remember that there are other nervous freshmen too!

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