As someone who loves the back to school season, I sort of hate my college. Okay, maybe not really, but our classes start up again September 28th. Yes, you read that correctly. I start so late in the year. Right now I am having some serious envy for the people already talking about moving in to dorms and starting up events again on social media. Call me a nerd or make fun of me, but I absolutely love new school supplies, meeting new people, and the promise you make to yourself that you'll stay on top of homework and studying all term.
Anyway, the point of this post is obviously tips for freshman and tips I have for the first week/month or so. These are things I wish I had known last year when I started college.
Not everyone you are going to meet the first week(s) will be your best friend. I know this isn't the case for everybody. But every person I have talked to so far in college is no longer friends with the same people that they were at the start of their freshman year. I feel like people start seeing the true colors of others, or maybe you just realize you have more in common with another crowd. And that's okay! Do not limit yourself and force yourself onto one group. Branch out!
Take advantage of the free events. Even if they are cheesy at times, it's usually worth it to go. You will meet new people, and there is usually free food involved. It's a win all across the board.
Talk to your professors!!! I want to stress this one. I made the mistake of not doing this too much the last year. Talking to your professors can be helpful in more obvious ways, such as understanding the class better, but it can also help farther down the road. A number of things you may want to join in the future may require recommendations. Whether this be grad school or a honor club (Lamda Pi Eta for me one day hopefully), being on a professor's good side can definitely come in handy. They also can be used as references for some job applications or for scholarships, so just do this.
You don't always have to buy your textbooks ahead of time. I really, really wish I knew this one. I've only been in college for three terms, but I have already had a number of professors tell us the first day that we actually do not need the textbook they have assigned. I know what you are thinking. Then why did they do it anyway? "The department has required me to assign two textbooks, but we will not be using the second one on the list." I have heard this too many times already. I have also had professors end up putting the chapters for class online. So be smart. If you know it won't necessarily be a reading heavy class, maybe wait out on buying the book. Most professors in 100-200 level classes won't assign too much the first week or so anyway.
There were a number of other tips I had to mention as well, but these are definitely the big ones that have come to mind that I wish someone would have told me in advance. I will probably be writing more blog posts in the next month or so covering more college topics, so be sure to come back for those.
-H
Anyway, the point of this post is obviously tips for freshman and tips I have for the first week/month or so. These are things I wish I had known last year when I started college.
Not everyone you are going to meet the first week(s) will be your best friend. I know this isn't the case for everybody. But every person I have talked to so far in college is no longer friends with the same people that they were at the start of their freshman year. I feel like people start seeing the true colors of others, or maybe you just realize you have more in common with another crowd. And that's okay! Do not limit yourself and force yourself onto one group. Branch out!
Take advantage of the free events. Even if they are cheesy at times, it's usually worth it to go. You will meet new people, and there is usually free food involved. It's a win all across the board.
Talk to your professors!!! I want to stress this one. I made the mistake of not doing this too much the last year. Talking to your professors can be helpful in more obvious ways, such as understanding the class better, but it can also help farther down the road. A number of things you may want to join in the future may require recommendations. Whether this be grad school or a honor club (Lamda Pi Eta for me one day hopefully), being on a professor's good side can definitely come in handy. They also can be used as references for some job applications or for scholarships, so just do this.
You don't always have to buy your textbooks ahead of time. I really, really wish I knew this one. I've only been in college for three terms, but I have already had a number of professors tell us the first day that we actually do not need the textbook they have assigned. I know what you are thinking. Then why did they do it anyway? "The department has required me to assign two textbooks, but we will not be using the second one on the list." I have heard this too many times already. I have also had professors end up putting the chapters for class online. So be smart. If you know it won't necessarily be a reading heavy class, maybe wait out on buying the book. Most professors in 100-200 level classes won't assign too much the first week or so anyway.
There were a number of other tips I had to mention as well, but these are definitely the big ones that have come to mind that I wish someone would have told me in advance. I will probably be writing more blog posts in the next month or so covering more college topics, so be sure to come back for those.
-H