To incoming college freshmen: It was probably only a few weeks ago that you walked the halls of your high school for the very last time. You said goodbye to friends, teachers and the countless memories that molded you for four long years. You’re off to college now, and your life is about to change in unimaginable ways. After your mom holds on to you for dear life and cries about you being an official adult, you’ll sit in your dorm room—parentless—for the first time.
But with freedom comes responsibility, and as a freshman, your choices will dictate the rest of your college career. Check out the following advice to ensure you’re prepared for the best four years of your life.
(The author, right, with her college friends)
1. School: Although you’ll often get peer-pressured to go to every single game day and ladies night of the semester, school comes first. With the right time management, you’ll be able to focus on school and have fun all at the same time.
– Take school seriously. Your GPA begins with your freshman year, even during summer semester when classes will quickly become a second priority to socializing.
– Manage your time wisely. If your professor assigns a paper due in a week, start it immediately. There’s nothing worse than an all-nighter filled with staring at your computer until your eyes hurt, lots of Starbucks to keep you awake and the undeniable feeling of complete exhaustion that follows.
– College is a major life adjustment, so consider taking a relaxed course load during your first semester. This will save you stress and will leave you with room to meet new people and explore all that your new home has to offer.
– Treat classes and schoolwork like a 9-5 job. Work during the day so you can enjoy your nights.
– Trade a night out for a night in the library or a homework night in your dorm with friends. You’ll still have fun while being productive!
2. Fashion forward: Girls, this is important.
– Invest in practical things you probably didn’t own while you lived at home, like cute rain boots, a compact umbrella and even a rain jacket.
– If you’re like me, you’ll likely be taking your entire life with you everywhere you go, so make sure the bag you carry around is comfortable. Opt for a backpack or a tote bag with plenty of storage. My North Face backpack has braved the wrath of Gainesville storms, traveling and constant daily use and is still in perfect condition! Here are a couple of my favorites:
Longchamp “Large Le Pliage” Tote
The North Face Women’s Borealis Backpack
– Your tiny dorm room closet may be completely filled with all of your favorites, but let’s face it—you’ll probably be sick of all of your clothes by Thanksgiving. The best part about college is having friends right down the hall or the street from you who have just as many clothes as you do. Don’t buy a new outfit every time you go out! Sharing is caring, and I can proudly say my closet and my roommate’s closet have basically formed into one. You’ll save money on buying clothes while rocking a totally new outfit.
3. On Campus: In high school, you probably knew exactly which bathrooms to avoid, what teachers would greet you outside their door on the way to class and which route was the fastest to get from AP Biology to Spanish. Although college campuses are bigger, they can be much easier to learn and navigate than you’d think.
– Never walk alone. After a night in the library or a night out, it may seem like no big deal to walk back to your dorm or apartment, but always play it safe and walk in a group or with a friend.
– Bus routes are also a must-know for the rainiest of days when even rain boots won’t cut it, or for when you’re just feeling lazy and don’t feel like walking half a mile to class. I do this often.
– College campuses are filled with fast-food options everywhere you turn, but you’ll quickly learn that the money in your bank account is incredibly precious and should be saved for more important things than a daily Chick-fil-A binge. Ditch the nightly restaurant outings and head to Publix to stock up on affordable dorm-friendly meals for the week. You and your bank account will thank me later.
– Explore! There’s lots of history around your campus and probably more fun things to do in your tiny college town than you’d think. Escape your comfort zone and try new food, meet new people and go to as many new places as possible.
4. The Future: As a freshman, you probably won’t be able to see the future past what Netflix show you’ll be binge-watching when you return from class. It’s important to think about what you see the next few years of your life looking like.
– Plan ahead. Meet with an adviser and talk about your goals and what your next few semesters will entail.
– It’s never too early to create a resume either, and college campuses offer free help with that at their Career Resource Centers.
– Internships are key. If you’re looking to spice up your resume, real-world work experience is the best way to do that. You’re never too young, and companies are always looking to teach fresh faces, so don’t wait until your senior year to start applying.
5. Don’t Blink: This advice could possibly be the most important of all. The next four years of your life are going to exceed all of your expectations but will fly by in the blink of an eye. You’ll meet some of your best friends, people who would drop anything to help you. So see amazing places, eat great food, pull a few all-nighters if you really have to and attend every sporting event you possibly can. Take your life day by day, and don’t get too hung up on everything you have to do all at once. You’ll have good days and bad days, but by the time you walk across the stage at graduation, you’ll be wishing you could start all over again. No matter what school you’ve chosen to attend, get ready for the best four years of your life.
