The Bottom Line of Freshman Year.
Whether you are 10 minutes away from your new campus or 20 hours away, it is still a stressful yet exciting time for everyone. When I was a senior, I was always told that it got easier once you finished all your applications and picked your school. But I found it overwhelming with packing, planning, and getting everything ready. It’s different for every person, but for most of us, it’s the first time we are fully away from home and all by ourselves.
Luckily, I had some friends I knew from high school and my boyfriend. I was really excited to go off to college, and the day I left, we drove 10 hours, stayed in a hotel, and then the next morning got up for move-in day. I was really stressed about getting everything done and moving into my room. It worked out okay, and then later that evening I dropped my parents off at the airport. It was weird because my boyfriend was still in my hometown, so I didn’t know anyone there yet. Shortly after, we had a week for freshmen; it was basically orientation camp. There are some required trainings that you must attend for your school, so if you’re planning on skipping that, make sure you make it to the required/mandatory stuff.
Then, if you are rushing a fraternity or a sorority, you will prepare for that week, typically shortly before school starts. It’s a lot at once, but it’s a great time to get to know and meet people. Once your classes start, make it a priority to go to the classes that require attendance or that are specific to your major. Also, if you want to save some money, don’t order any of your textbooks until you hear from your professor if you actually need them for the class. Most of the time, the professors don’t even care if you have the textbook or not. Also, make it a priority to go to social events and clubs or activities that interest you. This will allow you to meet people with similar interests and make some great friends.
If you plan on partying a lot, just make sure to stay safe! In your first semester, you’ll get used to balancing school and your personal life. Some completely forget about school and just party, and others will just stick to school and study because it's familiar. It’s good to find a good balance between the two. I liked to go to parties when I was in the mood, when I didn’t have any early classes the next day, or when my friends were going. If it is really not your thing, don’t feel bad or get peer pressured into partying. It’s okay to be interested in different things!
Just remember the reason you are at school is to get your degree and go off and get a job. This doesn’t mean only studying and focusing on school cause did you just do that in high school? Enjoy yourself and do activities you enjoy; this will also help your mental health. From what I’ve heard, college feels pretty weird your freshman year and then after that, it will feel more normal and your body will adjust to the changes. Freshman year is a very fun and special time so make the most of it!
