So as of the 28th, I officially completed one of my biggest adventures to date, my freshman year of college. It was a complete whirlwind, and it went by incredibly fast. This post is going to be dedicated to things I learned as a freshman that I thought I’d pass on to you. This is in no way me trying to like I’ve got it all together cause God knows I don’t. I broke down sobbing multiple times this year about any variety of things. I dropped my precalc class. I goofed up my financial aid. I made a ridiculous amount of mistakes, and it’s called learning. I thought to myself, who better to advise freshmen than a freshman herself (basically)? So here it goes.
Advice:
1. It is okay to not have it all together.
Its okay to not be okay. Its okay to have freak outs and melt downs. Because you know what? You’re not the only one.
2. Get your books early.
Yea. I definitely was not on top of this- and during first semester I was panicking without the textbook we needed while chegg took its sweet ole’ time.
3. Rent used books
Textbooks are not cheap! But I found renting them used from my own Universities bookstore was the cheapest and most convenient way to do it. That way when the rental was up I just had to walk in and return it, not worry about shipping it back.
4. Pack your lunch
During the fall semester I was a bit overwhelmed and busy, so I began just counting on buying food at school. This just leads to eating unhealthier, higher processed food. Also being a vegetarian, it leaves you with not too many options for protein/nutrients. Also my campus has like… 4 coffee shops. Dangerous. In the winter semester I packed lunches every night (okay lets be real, sometimes frantically in the morning) and I found that I was eating so much healthier and saving money! I allowed myself to buy lunch once a week, and a chai latte every now and then never killed anyone(:
5. Take advantage of the facilities!
My school has an amazing rec center that I never used once during the fall. I was too nervous I guess to brave the rec center by myself but when I started doing it in the winter I loved it. I only wish I would have wandered in earlier, it was a great environment and I was getting my exercise too!
6. Learn to like your own company
College is much more independent than high school. In senior year I would’ve rather died than walk somewhere by myself or eat lunch alone. But at a university, especially a commuter school, everyone’s alone! I did more by myself in one year than I have in my whole life combined. I learned that no, It would not kill me to do things all by myself. I actually grew to really like it. And I think thats important, you’ve gotta like to be on your own.
7. But- remember to reach out.
This is where I struggled the most this year. As I mentioned above, college is much more independent. It feels like nobody is even looking for a friend. They’re all just as content as you are to sit by themselves with headphones in. It seems like a lot of people on campus just couldn’t be bothered to socialize. And therefore, you should be bothered with it. I wish I would’ve said hi to more people, or worked in groups on projects instead of individually. I wish I would’ve joined a club or a group. Because I can sadly say that one year of college went by and I didn’t make a single good friend. I had some acquaintances sure, but nobody that I asked to do anything with. That is my goal for sophomore year- I hope to reach out to others more.
8. It is okay to change your major.
Take it from me. Pre Physical Therapy to elementary education with a focus in early childhood and special ed. I thought I would be considered a quitter and a chicken. I thought the world would fall apart. First hand experience, I changed my major and the world stayed perfectly intact. In face for me, the world was a little bit brighter. I got so much support from those who love me, it was easy to do it. Even if you don’t have that support, you have to follow your heart and go with your gut. You don’t wanna spend all that time and money on a degree for a job you don’t really want. And if nobody around you supports you on it, you’ve always got me. I’ll be right behind you. (:
9. Open your mind
One of the ways college is so different from high school is that every single professor I had (minus one) was incredibly passionate about what they taught. As they should be! Its like their lives work went into this subject, and you can see it. I found that the more open I was to each professors opinion and subject, the more I got out of it. Make sure you’re not just passing the tests, but taking something with you from every course (even if that something is “well thank God I’m not a bio major”)
**Speaking of professors….. check out the website “Rate my professor” when picking your classes and you’ll be sure to get the cream of the crop.
10. Remember why you’re there
Here lies the big difference. In high school, you have to take almost the exact same classes as every other student. You get the same diploma. We technically go to high school for an education, but really if you look at it, we’re there for the diploma. Education is defined as “an enlightening experience”, and I would argue that this is what college is. Its an enlightening experience. You become a little bit passionate about every class you’ve had because every professor is giving you a little of their love for it. You become smaller and smaller and smaller. Smaller as you drive in morning traffic and think to yourself “how do this many people even live here?!” Smaller as you wait in giant registration lines. Smaller still as you sit in a lecture of 300 and realize that it literally wouldn’t matter if you showed up or not. And the smallest when you look around and realize that it is no longer a popularity contest. That everyone there is going for a degree, hopefully to do something they love.. and you have got nothing to do with it. You become older, as suddenly you’re handling everything yourself that was handed to you on a cake platter just a year ago. You learn a million new things, about your classes, career, and even yourself. So even on those days when you’re sick to death of it all and you’re ready to drop every last class you have- remember how lucky you are to be there, and that so many people can’t afford to be where you are right now. Remember what you’re there for. To learn how to do the job you’ve always dreamed of that will someday support you and maybe a family. You’re there to open the door to the rest of your life. Thinking about that really helped me stay positive even on the worst of days.
So there they are, my little bits of wisdom. Hopefully they’re helpful to you, and I ask that you share any college tips you may have with me as well!! I’ve got a lotta school ahead of me, and need all the advice I can get. Us college kids gotta stick together, ya know.
Until next time,
A girl on the brink