1. Some things you should just invest in
Just off the top of my head? A backpack. A mattress pad. These are things you will use all four years and having a low quality one will honestly make your life more difficult. I got a low quality mattress pad freshman year and really, really regret it. Things you have to use every day, things that affect your health, things that affect your sleep, go ahead and ball out on. It will be worth it in the end.
2. Not everyone who is nice to you is your friend
This is a harsh, but true reality. College is filled with lots of people. Many different types of people. And freshmen, they’re all just trying to make friends. The first few weeks, everyone is being their best selves because they are trying to make friends. But just because everyone is being nice doesn’t make you all friends. Make sure to actually verify if someone is trustworthy and reliable and wants the best for you before you begin unloading your life on them and entrusting them with anything too valuable. You will surely find great friends; it just might not happen overnight.
3. Do your reading. Seriously.
Yes, it seems pointless. Yes, it’s neverending. But it will pay off. Actually doing the reading, even if you don’t fully understand it, allows you to have some surface level recognition of things your professor brings up in class. And it’s even better if you, ya know, highlight, underline, take notes, write down questions, and all of that. This way, when you go to class, you are able to participate in discussions and answer questions, and in the meantime, boost your oh-so-clutch participation points.
4. You don’t aaaactuuually have to go to every class.
Now this may seem like the worst advice ever. And maybe it is. But I stand by it. Because in one of my classes that I did go to every class for (ECON 101) I learned about this magical concept called Opportunity Cost. Basically, it’s what you give up when you choose one alternative over another. By attending big lecture classes that don’t take attendance, don’t use poll everywhere, and the professor reads through slides they upload online, you’re giving up time you could be using to work on another class or catch up on sleep, which you’re probably not getting enough of. Now, by all means, if the professor takes attendance or actually teaches in the class, you definitely should go to every single one. But your freshman year you will probably have the luxury of taking one or two nonessential attendance courses. Take advantage while you can.
5. Have fun.
No year will ever have as little responsibility as freshman year. Yes, you should take it seriously, but you should also have as much fun as you can! Here’s the unfortunate truth – nothing will seem as new as it does freshman year. By second semester and sophomore year, you’ll be over the same parties at the same house and going to the same bars. Live it up while it’s all new and exciting. And know that you can do stupid things and be given the benefit of the doubt because hey, you’re a freshman. You don’t know any better.
What do you wish you knew freshman year? Tell me below!