Freshman year is an exciting yet nerve-racking thing when you're first coming to college. You don't really know what to expect or what your particular experience will be like. You most likely don't know that many people at your university, if anyone at all. No matter what you do, you don't feel prepared for what you're about to take on. This is how I felt completely, and it's how most all freshman feel. I had to experience a lot of things in order to fully master my freshman year, so here are some tips that will hopefully help you master yours:
GO TO CLASS, DO YOUR HOMEWORK AND STUDY
Obviously this is pretty important, but I can not stress it enough. Doing ALL of these three things are the only way you will get an A and do well in college classes. Lucky for me, I had done this my whole life so this wasn't a big change for me.
MEET YOUR PROFESSORS OUT OF CLASS
Meeting your professors outside of class during their office hours allows you to build a relationship with them. It's important for you to make sure your professors know who you are, especially in a 200+ lecture hall. From this meeting, they will know you are going to make an effort in their class since you took the time to come get to know them.
MANAGE YOUR TIME AND DON'T PROCRASTINATE
Manage your time is one of the most important things in college. There is so much going on all the time and you need to make sure you get done the things that need to get done before having fun. Planning out your day allows this and you will end up having a lot more free time. Procrastinating is an easy thing to do, but don't do it. It will end up hurting you in the long run and you'll probably be pretty tired. But again, if you manage your time wisely, you will have no need to procrastinate.
STAY ORGANIZED
Keep all of your school work organized because in college you usually don't get another important paper that you end up losing. Also, use some sort of agenda or planner to organize all your school work and important events so you can visually see your due dates and not miss a thing.
VOLUNTEER AND JOIN CLUBS/ORGANIZATIONS
This is not only a great way to get involved on campus but also a great way to meet people. When I joined my sorority, I met so many new people. This is also a great way to find your different passions alongside people like you.
SAY YES
Say yes yes yes!! (to most things). College is for learning but it's also for making memories and meeting new people. If someone on your floor asks if you want to eat with them, GO! If someone asks you if you want to take a day trip to somewhere cool, GO! You never know the people you'll meet or the friends you will make. One of my favorite quotes!
“I've learned one thing, and that's to quit worrying about stupid things. You have four years to be irresponsible here, relax. Work is for people with jobs. You'll never remember class time, but you'll remember the time you wasted hanging out with your friends. So stay out late. Go out with your friends on a Tuesday when you have a paper due on Wednesday. Spend money you don't have. Drink 'til sunrise. The work never ends, but college does...” - Tom Petty
CALL YOUR FAMILY
You don't realize how much your parents do for you until you're on your own. Calling my parents always fixes everything. Whether I'm super happy or having a horrible day I know they are only a phone call away. It means so much to them just to hear your voice, because gosh do they sure miss you.
EAT HEALTHY AND EXERCISE
It's easy to fall into bad habits, but let me tell you the freshman 15 is real. Well, maybe not completely but if you let your good eating and exercising habits go out the door it will happen to you. Choosing to eat foods that are good for you more often are very important. You definitely
don't want to be eating fast food for every meal. Take advantage of the free gym you have right there on campus. You'll be mad at yourself for not using that when you had the chance.
KNOW THAT EVERY FRESHMAN IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME THING
Freshman year comes with highs and lows and no matter what you're going through everyone is going through the same thing. I remember thinking I was never going to make any friends but I eventually did, and now those friends are my very best friends!
Lastly, don't forget to have fun!!! College is only 4 years and man does it go by fast...
