Class of 2019, welcome to your freshmen year! It’s a year of changes, a year of growing up, and a year full of excitement. As a rising junior, I’ve taken a lot of time to reflect on my first year. I thought about what I would’ve done differently, and what advice I would give 18-year-old-self. I wish someone had told me what I know now to my freshmen self.
However, I don’t want to share with you my advice alone. I think the best advice comes from a variety of people with a variety of viewpoints. The more advice you get, the more you have to think about. So instead, I took to social media and asked my fellow upperclassmen friends to share with me what they would have wanted their freshmen selves to know. Here’s what they had to say!
“It’s okay to ask for help, after all the novelty of freshman year wears off, and you miss home, or you’re stressed, or the weather has you down, it’s okay to talk about it. College is awesome, but just being on your own can be very difficult. It’s okay to admit it, and it’s definitely okay to talk to friends, family or a therapist!” – Regina Monge, SIS 2016
“Don’t feel pressured to have an internship your freshman year. Instead, get your feet wet with networking. Attend events, go to your professor’s office hours (seriously, go) and if you’re feeling brave, do a few informational interviews of companies you want to or may want to intern with down the road. It can make all the difference!” – Allie Erenbaum, SOC and Kogod 2017
“Don’t be afraid to be yourself. It’s ok to be uncomfortable, unsure, or even a little scared. You’re going to want to cry, you’re going to feel alone and you’re going to want to just get away; and that’s alright. You will have amazing opportunities, so never turn anything down. But be realistic with yourself and what you can handle. Sometimes the boy is worth the fight, but sometimes he’s not. You’re going to be hurt, you’re going to fall in love, but don’t come down on yourself too hard. There’s no way to tell the future, so just go with your gut. You don’t know what will happen, but nothing is worth worrying about. That’s the most important thing. Stop worrying. Stop over thinking, and just say yes. Make spur of the moment decisions, and trust yourself more than anything.” – Arielle Weg, SOC 2017
“Make the time to study and manage your time in a way that works for you. Get a planner, use your calendar app on your phone, do something to make sure you’re not up at all hours of the night writing that 15 page paper.” – Kyle Jensen, CAS 2017
“My advice is to take time to be alone. For many people, college is the first time you’ll have the opportunity to live by yourself and it’s a big growing experience. I know a lot of people who are very focused on finding a boyfriend or girlfriend, or people who stay with their significant others from back home – and there’s nothing wrong with that, but I also know a lot of people who jump out of one relationship and immediately into another. While you’re in college, you’re growing a lot because you’re in a weird in-between phase from adolescence where you’re constantly dependent on your parents, to the Real World where you’re about to be completely independent. Taking time to be by yourself is really important to do at this point in time because you learn so much about yourself when you don’t have anyone to distract you.” – Grace Cassidy, CAS 2016
“Don’t assume you won’t like something, and keep an open mind. I came into AU thinking that I would never join Greek life because I thought the stereotypes were all true. But they aren’t, and I’ve loved Greek life at AU so far!” – Brian Blonder, SIS 2018
“My biggest piece of advice would be to get a part-time job because going out with friends can really add up. There are job opportunities on and off campus so I’d definitely recommend applying to a few. It will really make life easier.” – Bryan Paz, SOC and SPA 2017
“I know it’s cliché when they say put yourself out there, but try to at some point. You don’t have to join every activity at the students’ fair first semester, of freshman year, but it’s nice to have other people around who share your interests.” – Grace Williams, CAS 2017
“Don’t feel like a failure if you haven’t found your “squad” by the end of the first semester, or even the first year. Real relationships take time, and odds are all the new “friends” your high school BFF tags in her Facebook photos won’t be around by the end of the summer.” – Elyse Notarianni, SOC 2018
“There’s this idea out there that you are supposed to make a million friends as soon as you get into college. While you will meet a ton of new people, don’t worry if it takes a little while to find your “niche.” You’ll probably change who you hang out with as you go through college, and this is normal. Don’t worry if you don’t find a close group of friends immediately. Also, breakfasts alone at TDR are great!” – Lauren Clemence, Kogod and SOC 2018
“Don’t rush into anything, because nothing is permanent. You might think that freshman year is about grabbing every opportunity you can, but it’s actually about learning patience. College isn’t what you do in your first five minutes there, but rather who you become throughout the entire four years. So breathe and take everything one step at a time.” – Taryn Daniels, SOC and CAS 2017
So there you have it; the advice that current students would want to tell their freshmen selves. All that advice can be overwhelming at once, and that’s OK. Advice, is just that, advice. You don’t have to love it, and you don’t have to take it. Just know that all the people who contributed to this article want you to know that regardless of what your freshmen year is like, everything will be OK.
And my advice to you is the best advice I could give 18-year-old self, and now my 20-year-old self. Be comfortable with being uncomfortable, and to go at your own pace. Trust me, everything will work out just fine.