Sophomore Slump. Senioritis. These are both commonly caught ailments anyone who’s even lived through high school has suffered through.
Here’s a new one to add to the list- the Freshman Jitters.
Know what I’m talking about? Those last few weeks of summer before your first semester of college when you’re this crazy, bizarre combo of outrageously excited and blow-into-a-paper-bag anxious– yup, that feeling.
Don’t worry — I’ll be the first to admit that I’m suffering from it, you aren’t alone.
There’s so much to worry about: orientation, registering for classes, purchasing textbooks, friending my roommate on Facebook early (thankfully, NEU is great with getting housing info out early), collegiette™- apparel shopping, and all of the last minute emergencies that inevitably pop up. I’ll be honest with you; I’m completely overwhelmed.
As an incoming Northeastern University freshman, I didn’t realize that the seemingly easiest activities on my checklist (like dorm-accessory shopping) would be the most complicated and exhausting. I found an online list of classic things to bring to college and after paring it down to the things that actually applied to me, the list was still seven pages long! Do I really need all of this?? After that, shopping was more like a chore than anything else. I made sure to check out all the best sales, print tons of coupons and hit every website offering inexpensive necessities.
Helpful Hint: Bed, Bath, & Beyond and Target were by far the cheapest places, especially with coupons!
When the time came to register for classes, I was somewhat afraid I’d get stuck with all 8 AMs– and I can’t tell you how miserable my first semester would be if that happened. Thankfully, the registration-Gods were looking down on me and all of my classes are after 9AM.
Knowing what classes I’d have early in the summer was great because I was ahead of the curve to buy books. Renting or buying used books in definitely the way to go for the collegiette™ on a budget!
Another tip:buy your books ASAP, because Amazon.com and Half.com give the best deals but sometimes take up to two weeks to deliver
Now that my bags are packed, my goodbyes are said and school is about to start – I’m off to NEU to start what will be, with any luck, the best experience of my life.
I can’t wait to settle into campus, start classes and meet people! I’m nervous but super eager to see how I get along with my roommate and the other people on my floor. I have to admit, I secretly hope I have one of those cliché friendships with my roommate, where we end up being BFFs for life. Whether or not that happens, though– I’m just overall giddy.
Northeastern has been the place I’ve dreamt about ever since I can remember and I can’t wait to see what happens, Freshman Jitters or not.
Photos courtesy of: nycprgirls.com, target, half.com