Last week, I packed up my whole life and moved three states away from my family, friends, and hometown. For the second time. I’m starting my sophomore year here at TCU this fall, and being back on campus has brought all of the memories of last year flooding back. Participating in Welcome Week (from the other side this year!) has put so much into perspective. I learned a lot about myself (and life) and though I’m no expert, I want to share some advice for this year’s incoming freshmen in hopes I can make the transition even a slight bit easier.
Living on your own
First up, let’s talk about living away from your parents. As amazing as the newfound freedom is, it comes at a price: you have to be in charge of everything about your life. That means school and social life, of course, but it also means taking care of yourself, picking up after yourself, and keeping track of your own schedule. What worked for me was setting a routine: waking up around the same time every day, working out consistently, and designating a specific laundry/meal prep/cleaning day. Once you settle into a rhythm, it’s so much easier to take care of your responsibilities in a timely manner. Another tip was to put absolutely everything into my Google Calendar- classes, exams, events, even social plans if you can. That way you can be sure to never double book yourself!
Making Friends
There’s so much pressure in college to be “finding your people,” but the reality of the situation is that it probably won’t happen immediately. In fact, deep, lasting friendships require time to build trust and become comfortable with one another. So first things first, lose the pressure that you NEED to be finding your BFFs and bridesmaids the second you set foot on campus. In all likelihood, people will float in and out of your life within your first semester and year, and that’s okay! Different friends can serve different purposes until you find your true besties. Second, some great places to look for friends are in your residence halls, your classes, and your extra curricular activities. Leave your dorm door open your first week at school or put out a whiteboard with a poll or conversation starter! Turn to the people sitting next to you in class and exchange numbers or snapchats to make a group chat to study and ask questions! Join clubs to connect with people who have similar interests! Also, take advantage of any events your school (or your school’s greek life #syllyweek) is putting on the first week to meet as many people as possible. The wider you cast your net, the better chance you have of meeting people you really vibe with.
School
I’m about to give you the best tip for good grades in college. I swear it’ll change your life. Ready? Okay, here it is: Go to class. No, I know, it sounds lame. Or maybe it sounds obvious. Your professors might not take attendance in college and that makes it tempting to skip. But the best thing you can do for your grades is to go to class and pay attention. It’ll save you study time and you won’t have to cram as much for exams or struggle to catch up. Of course, if you’re not feeling well, take care of yourself, but be proactive in asking a classmate to share notes or record the lecture. Be sure to also pick a method to stay organized, whether it be a paper planner or an online planning system. Take diligent notes, find out how you learn best, and study with your classmates (but also be realistic about which friends are study friends and which friends are too distracting.)
Clubs
Someone I met in my first week at TCU told me a tip for choosing clubs, and it’s something that really helped me narrow things down after being completely overwhelmed at the organization fair. This girl suggested choosing three (and only three) clubs to get involved with: one related to your major, one that makes an impact on the community, and one for fun. This rule of thumb served me well last year. It allowed me to feel fulfilled and get involved on campus without overloading my schedule with too many activities. I’ve met so many amazing people through the three clubs I chose, and they really make campus feel like home. Here’s a head start on clubs you should join: make sure you consider Her Campus for one of your three! You won’t regret it.
Final thoughts
In conclusion, freshman year is an absolute whirlwind of insanity. The multitude of changes can be difficult to juggle, but hopefully, I covered the basics. Whatever happens, know that you are absolutely not alone. Everyone takes on the transition. Things might happen on different timelines for different people, but as a sophomore looking back, I can tell you for certain: you will get through it. Don’t be afraid to lean on your loved ones, but keep your heart open to the endless possibilities that college has to offer. Godspeed, my friends.