Five Things I Learned My Freshman Year

1. You WILL find your people

One of the most amazing experiences is finding your people or person. Whether it be the Rachel to your Monica, the Jim to your Pam, or the Serena to your Blair, you’ll find it in college. Out of all the people you come across every day, you’re bound to find at least one person who just gets you. The first few weeks are definitely the most difficult as you adjust to the tides of college, but I promise, it gets SO much better once you find people who you actually bond with rather than spend all day with because you have to( *cough cough* high school).

2. Try and make sure you and your roommate are compatible

One thing I really wished I had thought out before committing to a roommate was reflecting on who I am and how I like to live rather than assuming it would magically“work out”. For example, I  like to settle down around 9 PM (yes yes, I’m such a grandmom, I know) and I didn’t really talk that out with my roommate before we literally moved in together. Make sure that you do some serious self-reflection before agreeing to live with someone. The small things such as “I don’t like the window open” become much larger in the grand scheme of sharing your living space with someone else.

3. You don’t have to commit to a major (just yet)

I was so worried about what I was going to study and if I was going to actually going to get a job after college with my degree. This is a common fear, but as a freshman, you don’t need to worry about it. Most colleges and universities offer an “undecided” or general studies major that you can choose which allows you to take courses and find out what you actually like. Even if you decide to go in with a major and change it after your freshman year, it’s OK! You’ll most likely be taking general requirements your first year anyway so you won’t really be wasting credits (or money).

4. It only gets better!

I’m not going to lie, your first semester in college is hard. Not just academically (although some people do extremely well with college curriculum), but you’re thrown into an entirely new environment where you may not know anyone. If you’re not used to looking out for yourself then you’re also kind of thrown for a loop. Honestly, I cried move-in day because I was scared and worried that I was going to miss home way too much. But about three days later, I was in the full swing of things and absolutely loving the newfound independence. This is what college is all about. You fully come into yourself and begin to realize who you are without living under your parent’s roof. After my first semester, I began to see why everyone freaking loves college because it only gets better.

5. No one cares what you did in high school

Please, I beg of you, do not be the person who shows up to class and proudly boast how you were tennis captain, played the saxophone, and were in National Honor Society. No one cares, in all honesty. You’re already in college, there’s no reason to try and promote yourself the way you did on your application. College is a time to start fresh and see who you are beyond your high school achievements. Take advantage of the opportunity to do things you’ve never done before rather than falling into the same patterns of high school. College isn’t about “who can be involved in the most activities”, it’s about who can do the best at what they are involved in. While you do want to be social, there’s no reason to join more than 2 or 3 clubs. I know that personally, I came to college absolutely burned out from doing the most in high school. I felt really intimidated the first semester because I only wanted to be involved in two clubs rather than the ridiculous amount I participated in when I was in high school. That’s OK! Find things you actually want to do rather than joining things that look good on paper.

HCXO,

Tayler