When you are an incoming Freshman, there’s really not much I can say that you haven’t heard before so, I’ll just get to the point.
20. Say goodbye to high school & move on!
Ever heard the quote, “Don’t be sad it’s over, be glad that it happened?” Well, this is a situation where it applies. Whether your high school experience was great, horrible or just normal, change can always be scary especially when you’ve had the same routine for the past four years. My advice is that you just embrace your life up to this point and look to the future.
19. Be aware of deadlines.
You need to be aware of all of your future school’s deadlines like registration, scholarship applications, etc. You should take advantage of everything the school has to offer.
18. Have a financial plan.
One of the most important things is to know how you’re going to pay for college. There are many options that each school offers and you should always apply for scholarships and FAFSA (government program to help pay for college) if you need money. If you already have a college fund set up then you are all set up!
17. You are going to make new friends.
It is most likely that you and your friends are going to go in separate ways. If you do then just be aware that it is okay to make new friends and find new people to hang out with. That doesn’t mean that you aren’t going to talk to your old friends anymore, it just means that you are always going to meet new people and you shouldn’t feel bad for making other close friends.
16. Join clubs and organizations.
Joining clubs and other organizations that you are new to might just be thing that helps you really know what you want to do with your life. You might find that you really enjoy doing something that you never thought you would.
15. You will find your people.
You will most certainly find the people that are just like you, the ones that have the same interests as you. Pretty much your soul mate friends.
Your life is about to change – of course you’re going to be nervous. It’s completely normal. Eventually, you’ll get the hang of things and get into the routine. Don’t stress too much, every new college student deals with these feelings.
13. You have time to declare your major.
As an incoming Freshman, you don’t have to know what your major is going to be right away. You have a little bit of time, just make sure that throughout your Freshman year you explore so that by the end of the year, you have an idea of what you would like to major in.
12. Embrace the change.
Embrace all the new things that are changing in your life because it’s the only way you’ll be able to enjoy everything college has to offer.
11. Take opportunities.
Take advantage of new opportunities that arise. A good example of this would be the opportunity to study abroad. Things like that are things that you should always be willing to take advantage of.
10. Be open to diversity.
You will meet all kinds of diverse people. This can be especially shocking to people who grew up in a small town where everyone was just the same. Meeting diverse people is a way to be exposed to everything the world has to offer and be aware of just how different some people’s lives are. There will be people of all sorts of ethnicities, religions and foreign exchange students from all over the world.
When you go to college, you should stay in touch with all of your old, close friends. If you go your separate ways, it will be hard but if they are people that you really trust then you should do your best to keep in touch just know that it’s okay to not be as close as you used to be because you are all going to meet new people.
8. Explore the city.
When you’re in college, try and explore the city around campus as much as possible because it is a chance to get to know different people and a whole new place. Get a couple of friends together and go see what the city has to offer.
7. Exercise.
Whether you regularly exercise or not, exercising is a great way to relieve stress and relax. In college, you are going to need a stress reliever, for sure.
6. Work hard in school.
There are a lot of fun things to do in college but you can’t forget about the schoolwork. Always work hard and try not to miss any class because it will get you behind. You should do your best when it comes to studying for exams because those are the real struggles.
5. Don’t get carried away by partying.
It’s okay to go parties every once in a while but don’t let it consume your life by going to one every night. There are still other responsibilities that you need to worry about.
A lot of people go to college close to home and live at home while others choose to go far and live on campus. If you are one of those who chooses to live on campus then it is best to stay in contact with your family. Don’t forget to call them and check in on them. Even if you don’t want to, they want to know you’re okay.
3. Your friends from high school will change.
Whether you stay close to them or not, they will change! You are all growing up and learning new things so it’s okay if they change. Don’t be mad or disappointed if they are just not into the same things you guys used to be into anymore. It happens, people change, life goes on.
2. Expect to change.
You are going to change. It’s inevitable. You are changing, growing and learning new things every day so you have to be okay with it. You will become interested in things you weren’t before and you will begin to live your life a little differently and this is okay.
1. You will grow up.
You are going to grow up throughout college. It’s a good change so don’t worry about it, just embrace it!
Written By: N. Elizabeth – University of Utah
