1. Join a bunch of different clubs. Most colleges have some sort of involvement fair where you can go and scope out all the clubs and organizations on campus. Go with your roommate or a floormate and go through all of the clubs. Grab a flyer for anything you find remotely interesting and attend at least one meeting. It's also good to think about joining professional or career-oriented clubs early on, even if you're not sure about what you want to do yet. It will definitely be helpful in the future, plus you will meet like-minded people.
I joined YoungLife my freshman year of college. I didn't stick with it but I definitely met some pretty cool people. Also if you can't tell, we are spelling out Hav2, which is a reference to the floor I lived on.
2. Get to know everyone on your floor. Don't just hang out with the same group of people every night. It's fine to have a solid friend group, but things can always change and you may grow apart after you all move out of the dorm. Try to hang out with everyone because there could be some hidden gems on your floor. You never know!
This is me and nine of my friends from my floor before we went to a gallery hop that night. This was also the night that I, a girl raised in Texas, learned that just because it is March doesn't mean you can wear short sleeves.
3. Make connections. It's never too early to start networking and it is definitely good to get the hang of it while you're still a student. If your major puts a stress on internships, try to get two or more while you're in college. Then make sure you keep in touch with fellow interns and your supervisors. Those will be good connections to have when you're looking for a post-grad job. If you want to be an overachiever, create a LinkedIn account and start connecting with people online as well.
4. Study abroad. I completely regret not studying abroad as a college student. I didn't want to be away from the city I loved, my friends or my family, so I never took that leap. But, many universities have programs that are two weeks, a month, or a full semester, so you can choose whatever makes you feel comfortable. Or uncomfortable, whatever you want.
5. It's okay if you don't get nine hours of sleep. Yes, getting a good night's sleep before an exam is important and if you have work in the morning you probably shouldn't stay up until 4 o'clock hanging out with friends. However, if your floormates are watching a movie one night or a club is going salsa dancing, go ahead and go. Don't neglect your responsibilities but it's okay if you're a little tired some days. Spontaneous nights with friends are going to make for some of the best college memories.
We literally got zero hours of sleep this night. This was when I did the 12-hour dance marathon fundraiser - a classic freshman year staple. Again, repping Hav2.
6. College might not be the best time of your life. Don't stress out if you're having a rough time. College is not always easy and it's not always fun. Don't let someone tell you that these are the best four years of your life. They could be, but that sets you up for misery after you graduate. I've had friends who had serious family or mental health issues that made college less than ideal, but that doesn't mean they won't have amazing years in their future. Everyone is different.
7. Don't neglect your schoolwork. You may get invested in a group of friends or an activity but remember that the main point of college is to go to class, prepare for a career, and learn as much as you possibly can. You want to be proud of your final GPA and you want to learn skills that will help you with your career. It's okay to have fun, but know when to make the responsible choice and go to the library instead of the party.
One of my favorite study spots was right outside my dorm room, right in the hall. I remember many fond nights of notecards, history papers, and intellectual (for a freshman) conversations. I also remember dance parties, Pokemon cards, and push-ups happening there as well. Both are good.
8. Call your parents just to say hi. Your parents are going to miss you a ton and will constantly be wanting to check in on you and make sure you're doing well. This can be annoying, I know, but they just want the best for you. Give them a call every now and then to check in and let them know about all the fun you're having. They'll love it and you'll love that they love it.
When my parents visited me for the first time freshman year. Obligatory picture with the Brutus statue here.
9. Make use of the school's resources. Whether it is a mental health center or a career services center, your university likely has some really cool resources that you could benefit from. Don't be afraid to call the health center if you're feeling mentally unwell or if you think you're sick. They are there for those reasons. Investigate the resources your school has to offer because students often don't make use of them as much as they should.
10. If you're reluctant about a major, go in undeclared. You do not have to know what you want to do as soon as you get to college, despite what people say. I didn't even have an idea of what field I wanted to go into until the end of my sophomore year. Go in undeclared and take general education classes (that are likely required for almost any major) and find out what you like. You may discover a field you never even thought of that you fall in love with.
11. Get a planner and get organized. I wasn't the most organized my freshman year. I won't lie, one day I walked into Econ and saw more students than normal, all with notes in their laps. I had completely forgotten I had a midterm that day. I got a 56% on that exam. My point? Get a planner and as soon as you get your syllabi write down every homework, quiz and exam. Don't make the same mistake I made.
12. Go to school events. Universities tend to have public speakers, musical performances, sporting events, educational seminars and tons of other activities. These are often either very cheap or even free and they are experiences you won't get anywhere else. So take advantage of it now! I saw OAR and One Republic as well as heard Piper Kerman (author of Orange is the New Black) speak, all for free thanks to Ohio State. Some might seem lame or like a hassle but often, they're fun and completely worth it.
This is when we beat Wisconsin (I think...sports aren't really my thing) and everyone rushed the field. Obviously my seats were not close to the field so I made it down there 20 minutes later than everyone else, but still a great experience.
13. You're going to change a lot in the next four years. It's completely expected and actually really exciting. You're going to grow up. My parents came to visit two months after I started college and said they could already see a change in me, a more mature and capable Kyle. That was just the start. You'll gain new hobbies, new friends, and new habits. It's perfectly fine to evolve and change but just make sure that the person you're changing into is a person that you are proud to be.
Good luck to all the incoming freshmen! Enjoy your next four (or five...or six) years!
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