Tuesday, June 9, 2015
Forget the Fairy Lights. Here's What Freshman Really Need to Know for College.
Hold it right there graduating high school seniors! Before you purchase three shower caddies, some sort of "boho" tapestry, and the entire college section from Target/Walmart, there is actual advice you desperately need to hear. I don't care if you know your major, have your entire schedule fixed, and are already settling on a roommate. Guess what, NONE OF IT MATTERS. AT ALL. While it's a thrill to feel like you're on top of everything for college, I have a secret to tell you...you never can be fully prepared!
However, I can enlighten you all with some meaningful words of wisdom that I wish someone would have told me before I started my college-journey.
Here is a list of things you actually need to know.
1.) Drop the shower caddy. NOW. Trust me, you'll get like 10 at your graduation party from either friends, family, or both. Which is useful when yours becomes moldy after freshman year.
2.) If you have a high-school sweetheart who you "actually" love, you can definitely make it in college. I can't tell you how many times I heard that my relationship was doomed because of people believing in college-taboos. Guess what, still going strong with my boyfriend. Take that naysayers.
3.) HOWEVER, if you are having some sort of "fling" with someone who you could really care less about, then save yourself the agony and break up with him/her. Sound heartless? It's better than hurting someone by posting pictures of you at the keg-races at the first fraternity party of the year.
4.) Shower-flops. Yes, you get used to them. Yes, it feels like you're walking to a prison shower.
5.) (For girls mostly) Decorating your room, they said. It'll be fun, they said. Okay, okay, it can be self-expressive and a great way to make college feel like home; however, think of the theory "what goes up, must come back down". What goes into the dorm room must come back in your mother's SUV/minivan.
6.) Don't be that person who brings a ton of swimsuits because your college has a pool. Usually the pool is used for swim team practices, and if you're actually trying in college, lounging by the pool isn't really part of your schedule.
7.) THE FRESHMAN 15 IS ONLY REAL IF YOU LET IT BE. It is a norm at colleges to have quality-gyms with reasonable hours. If you're living on campus, you can walk to the gym. Walking distance! I have never had access to a gym in the way that I do at my college. Take advantage of what your paying thousands of dollars for-- and I don't just mean the café-buffet.
8.) Freshman year in college isn't difficult. Okay, think I'm crazy? Think about it this way. In high school you sit in a class from about 7:30AM-3:00PM. Some schools have different schedules, but factor in after-school activities, mandatory sports study halls, and sitting on the bus (if you take it). High school you had (maybe) evenings and weekends to do homework/essay papers. In college, some days you only have one class. Just one. I'm not claiming that the workload isn't rigorous or that it doesn't require more papers/readings, but, you definitely have time to work ahead. Which brings me to my next tip...
9) If you're a procrastinator in college. You. Will. Die. This time I'm not kidding. You may not physically perish, but your stress level will most likely induce cardiac arrest. There honestly isn't any excuse for turning in assignments late or needing more time--I should know, I rewrote a whole paper the night before it was due on my roommate's laptop because mine decided to keel over suddenly. Why? Because it wasn't worth adding another paper to my plate for the following week. It wasn't worth pleading with a professor. Moral of the story, do your work when it is assigned. That way, when your roommate wants to watch Netflix with you, you can relax knowing you have everything in perfect harmony. *cues beautiful trumpets*
10) What the sharks in "Finding Nemo" really meant to say was, "Professors are friends. Not fools." Professors know when you're struggling. Professors know when you are succeeding. Professors probably know more about you than you do yourself. That's why it's to your benefit to email them with questions. Talk to them. Find out about all of the Nobel Prizes they've won. Read their published works which were (most likely) critically acclaimed by the president and the pope. Know who you are receiving weekly lectures from! Trust me, they can be the coolest, weirdest, and loveliest people you'll ever know. Most importantly, they can make your transition into college an incredible experience.
11.) Your parents aren't at college with you for a reason. Mommy, Daddy, or Aunt Norma can't help you with papers, homework, or talking to your professors. Time to put on your big-kid undies and speak to people on your own. Inquire. Question. Ask for help. It isn't like you're paying a ton of moolah for the college's academic resources or anything? Right?
12.) You will 99.9% change your major, pick up a new minor, decide to double major, or possibly even triple major. Your family knows you're going to be a doctor? Well, you might find that you love studying mushroom patterns in the exotic forests of Latin America instead. Life changes, as do majors.
13.) People say your roommate isn't going to be your "best friend". Yeah, they're right I guess. My roommate is like a sister to me and will be my roommate for the rest of college. Boom! Another myth busted.
14.) If you were popular in high school. I feel bad for you. Those who were in tight elite groups in high school tend to cling to their roots and their past. Don't be afraid to branch out and make entirely new friends in college. Is it really that beneficial to attend a college where all of your immediate friends are? How can you really grow in life if you just stick to what, or who, you know? Trust me, take a chance! College friendships can prove to be the best you've ever had. So, if you weren't the most outgoing in high school, don't worry, college is home to every sort of person. You will definitely find friends.
15.) I'll end it here. Sorry to be blunt. Honestly, I could (and probably will) write a novel on transitioning into college and what is worth knowing about it. However, I will leave my audience with the most vital advice I could give to any newbie-freshman:
Be who you want to be in college. I mean, maybe being known as the campus party-animal isn't always the best decision, but don't be afraid to try new avenues. If you like fashion, take some classes in it. Have a knack for politics? Run for student council! Change your major as much as you'd like. Go on a mission trip over Spring Break. Get an on-campus job. Don't EVER worry about the future, or how much money you will make. Trust me, save the tears and aggravation. You can't predict what will even happen tomorrow, so why bother with the future?
Enjoy what you have now because that's really all that is guaranteed.
Not even financial aid is guaranteed.
I enjoyed this. Rather than including the scary thoughts of finance problems and major stress from assignments, you gave a well-said summary of the things which I should have focused on before going into my freshman year.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for taking the time to read! Also, thanks for the positive feedback Jay! I greatly appreciate it. (:
Delete