It seems like just yesterday that the class of 2016 was stepping onto Columbia’s campus to begin fall semester of our freshman year, giddy and nervous to begin a new chapter in their ives. The past two semesters have flown by, and it is amazing to look back to the first day of classes. As the year winds, regardless of whether you’re 2016 or not, take time to reflect on your past year and how to improve next year. For the incoming class of 2017 (roar, lions, roar!), try to anticipate some of these mistakes, even though we know you’ll end up making some anyway.
1. Give yourself time to adjust. College is not as easy and carefree as it looks in movies, and there is nothing really to prepare you for the shock of living on your own. Making your own decisions, finding your friend group, getting around campus, and even doing your own laundry all take time to get used to. Even though it may seem that everyone else has everything under control, most likely this is not true, and many people are in the same boat. Don’t stress if it does not happen overnight or even within the first few weeks of school. By spring semester, you will get into the swing of things. Even for returning students, there’s a lull at the beginning of the semester once you return from summer break. Don’t be worried, embrace it.
2. Quality, not Quantity. Taking more credits does not necessarily mean you are learning more. Most likely you will be stressed and stretched thin, and will not have the ability to dedicate the necessary time to each class. While in high school you may have juggled twenty clubs and all AP classes, you are most likely going to find yourself getting overwhelmed if you jump into too many things at one time. Go to interest meetings and by all means check out anything you have an interest in, but when it comes time to commit, be selective and take what you can handle.
3. Take Care of Yourself. After living under the constant stress of deadlines, papers, and exams, personal health can fall to the bottom of the to-do list. Make time to go to the gym a few times a week, especially on the weekends. Instead of living off of dining hall pizza, coffee, and energy drinks, eat a balanced meal, and take a piece of fruit with you to snack on later. As impossible as it seems, try to get enough sleep every night. Are you really being productive and studying at 4 a.m., or watching Youtube videos and trying to keep yourself awake?
4. Don’t be Afraid to Ask for Help. Whether you are struggling in a class or having trouble adjusting to college life, never hesitate to seek help. Columbia has a wealth of resources – Counseling and Psychological Services, office hours, teacher assistants, help rooms – to give you support whenever you need it. Of course, do not forget your classmates, who are often the best sources of information. They are often more accessible and more than willing to help a fellow Columbian. Of course, do not forget to reach out to a friend or student you can tell is having a hard time.
5. Grades are Important. Sounds obvious, but with the freedom of living away from home for the first time, many students forget this truth. Isn’t this the reason you came to college in the first place? Make sure you go to class—again, sounds obvious, but as anyone who’s taken FroSci knows, the freedom of deciding whether or not to go to class is something many students too frequently take advantage of. The dwindling sizes of many of my classes at this point in the semester show many students do not think it is worth their time to attend to class. Sure you could probably afford not to come to every class and still get by, but participation a huge part of many classes and your attendance is shows your professor you are putting effort into your grade. Many professors also emphasize what is important and hint at what is going to be on the upcoming exam. Not to mention you are wasting precious tuition dollars with every class you skip.
6. Grades Aren’t that Important. Yes, you read that right. This may seem a direct contradiction to the advice given above, but while you do want to do your best, you should not be spending seven days a week in Butler until the wee hours of the morning. You definitely should not be sacrificing your health and wellbeing to get an A+ instead of an A-. Some students pick a certain day of the week, such as Friday, to do absolutely no homework at all. Sit on Low steps and soak up the sun instead of rushing straight back to your room after class. Make an effort to sit down at mealtimes and catch up with friends. Whatever works for you, try to keep everything balanced, as difficult as it may be. After all, there is more to life than your grades, and many lessons are learned outside the classroom. Many people say college is the best time of your life, so explore the city, take lots of pictures, and learn from your mistakes before you go into the real world.
7. Be Yourself. As cliché as it sounds, this is one of the most important lessons of freshman year. Just because it seems like other students are taking more classes, getting involved around campus and securing internships on Wall Street, do not compare yourself to anyone else. Do what you can handle and what you enjoy.
This is all for now, but here is to finishing freshman year strong and doing even better sophomore year!