Tips for Incoming College Freshmen

It's finally August! You know what that means: school starts back up in a couple of weeks! Freshmen year of college is truly an unforgettable experience. You learn to manage your life on your own (maybe not fully, but to some extent) while also experiencing some memorable moments with some memorable people. Here are some tips that I hope will be helpful to incoming college freshmen!

Avoid 8 AMs if you can

I'm sure you've heard about the dreaded 8 AM classes in college. Even if you think you can do it, let's be honest you probably can't. As you continue your college experience, you may even find that 9 AMs are a true struggle for you. I understand that some people simply want to get their classes done earlier but there are other ways to achieve this. Don't fall into that trap or you just may be mad at yourself later. You will find yourself staying up late on the nights before your 8 AM and regret it in the morning. Unless you are a morning person, which isn't many people, 8 AMs are most likely not for you.

Pack a light load

I stayed on campus my freshmen year so I had the privilege of being able to take only what I needed for class and leaving the rest in my room. You will find that you will not enjoy traveling around campus with a heavy bag. The distance between your classes and dorm room is enough to deal with; don't torture yourself even more by carrying too many things in you bag, especially if you don't need it.

Be on the lookout for scholarships constantly

The thought of all the money needed to pay tuition is stressful enough. You can reduce that load, and the amount of loans you may need, by continually watching for scholarship deadline and award amounts. Though it may be a struggle now, you will thank yourself later. Apply to as many as possible; this reduces your dependence on student loans.

Stay on campus

I know I'm very late on this, as many deadlines to apply for on campus housing have passed, but I truly recommend staying on your college campus if you can. I admit that I've met more people, been more involved, and attended more events than I probably would have if I were a commuter. Staying on campus also teaches you how to live with people other than your family, and in some cases, people you know. It's a valuable experience and you can build so many meaningful relationships by doing this.

Don't overdress

You will be walking across campus all the time. Even in the winter when it's freezing you may find yourself working up a sweat while walking across campus in all of your layers of clothes. While it's essential to stay warm in the winter, you don't want to overdo it. It's not like you're going to get dressed then get in the car, unless you're a commuter of course. You will be walking and probably starting to sweat.

Embrace change

College is really the time when you discover who you are and what you do and don't like. You find more friends and even lose the friends you thought would be in your life forever. Embrace this time and the challenges that come with it. It will be hard to adjust at first, but with time you will figure out ways to deal with everything.

Make sure you have time to get to your classes

You don't want to have to rush to class everyday or miss the shuttle and be late unnecessarily. Wake up in enough time so that you have time to get dressed and make the trip to your class. Get in the habit of waking up earlier than you need to to make sure you have time. I know this is easier said than done (trust me, I know), but it can be done. It will benefit you in the long run as well.

Study

I know this sounds so cliche but you actually need to study and no I don't mean memorizing everything you read. This isn't high school where you can memorize a couple of phrases and still pass. You need to understand what you're reading because some professors ca be tricky with the wording of their tests/exams. Study in such a way that you understand what you're learning.

Go to class!!

Going to class is so valuable! First off, you're paying for them (maybe financial aid is covering it but still). I know you did not fight for all that scholarship/grant money just to not go to class. Some professors take attendance, while others don't. However, keep up with your classes because even in skipping one class you could miss a LOT of information that would be helpful to you for tests/exams/quizzes.

Wait to figure out what books you ACTUALLY need

Of course a professor is going to tell you on a syllabus that a book for their class is required, but will you actually use it?? It's best to wait until about a week into the class to decide whether or not to even get the book. Don't waste your money, time, or energy trying to get a book for a class only to find out you only need it for a sentence in that book (yes that can actually happen). Also, don't go broke trying to get the book if you end up needing it. Compare prices and decide on the best option!

There are so many other things that could be said about college, but here are some of my top tips for incoming freshmen. Everyone's experiences are different so things that I struggled with, you may not. Or things that were a breeze for me may not be a breeze for you. Do what works for you!

Incoming college freshmen: How helpful do you find these tips?

Everyone else: Is there anything you would add?

Embrace your Unique!

#college #lifestyle