As an only child, I never had a big sister or older brother to help me navigate the first year of my college experience. I flew by the seat of my pants, praying a collective prayer I was doing the whole “college” and “grown up” thing right. Now, as a junior, I realize how helpful it would have been to 18 year old Kate to hear from an expert how to survive something so rigorous and how to find my peace in such a stressful environment. College is a lot of fun, yes, but it is a lot to handle at one time. I asked 10 different college students, from sophomores to graduate students, what advice they would give to a college freshman who is terrified. You know, someone like I was.
Alexandra
“Join as many clubs as possible, talk to people you wouldn’t normally talk to, don’t be afraid to say no to things that make you feel uncomfortable and get out of your comfort zone.”
This is a common theme you will see throughout this piece, but seems to be the most solid piece of advice. According to Alexandra, the best way to feel at home on your college campus is to truly create a home. It may feel rather lonely and overwhelming your first few weeks, but the more you push yourself to meet new people, the more comfort you will find. Everyone feels similarly to you; everyone is looking for friendship.
Jon
“Look for relevant internships or research experience as soon as you can to get ahead. Go to career fairs to network and learn about possible careers”
We have all heard it: “What do you want to be when you grow up and graduate?” It is difficult to come up with an answer and, for a lot of us, we are not sure. And that is okay! Sometimes a little exploration and connection-making within your major or your school will go a long way. Many of us will graduate with one degree, and end up happy in a career we never dreamed would match up with our undergraduate education. Happiness can be found in the most bizarre of places. A little bit of research can go a long way in your journey to find yourself. Internships will help in this journey; one internship, in fact, can totally change the course of your life and guide you towards the opportunity of a lifetime.
Ichiro
“Textbooks can be very tricky. Never buy textbooks unless you are absolutely sure you will need it.”
Time after time, I have heard freshmen lamenting about the hundreds of dollars they wasted on books and materials for their classes. This is a mistake we have all made and, frankly, a mistake I continue to make. Many students are told they must have all of their textbooks ready to go before classes even begin and, yes, that will be true in some of your courses. But many of your professors will list textbooks out to simply give you supplementary suggestions, and will not require you to buy anything. Others will list a textbook as required, and will then provide all of the necessary reading themselves. As a rule of thumb, always reach out to your professors before you purchase any materials. Many will be kind enough to give you an honest answer as to what textbooks you will need to succeed, and what textbooks you can live without.
Marcey
“Never room with your best friend— you will expect them to be on the same wavelength as you and you will inevitably feel disappointed.”
For many of us, our friends are our family. We love them, and would do absolutely anything for them. But when it comes to who controls the heat and who does the dishes, you may find that you and your bestie are absolutely not compatible. Opposites really do attract, but that kind of relationship inside a very small dormitory room will begin to put a serious strain on you, and could potentially break your friendship. Sure, it may sound fun to be able to hang out with your friends all the time, but you will also run the risk of destroying a friendship you value. One “normal” roommate argument could lead to the end of a valuable relationship, so think before you pick!
Sean
“If you are a STEM major, work hard to find an internship to get ahead in the field. This is how to secure job security or find a good mentor for the future.”
In such a competitive world, and especially in such a competitive field, it is a great idea to work to find folks you can lean on and learn from. I may not be a STEM major, but I do understand that creating meaningful connections in your field can bring you more knowledge than any singular class ever will. However, do not feel pressured, and do not feel like a failure if you are not able to snag an internship right away. Success in your field is not measured by the amount of internships you partake in, or by the amount of folks you can name. You may struggle to find an internship that you really love and connect with, but give it time and be persistent— you will find the perfect fit.
Kim
“Your major is not set in stone. You can change it if you need to or if you are struggling”
Choosing your major can feel like you are deciding the entire course of your existence in one small moment. It can feel sticky; how do you swap a major you have been in for a month, for a year, or for three years? However, never base your happiness on sticking with something that simply does not work for you. You may walk into your university as an Art History major, and walk out as a Molecular and Cell Biology major. College will provide you incredible freedom, and that can be scary. But, that freedom will give you the ability to change your life on a dime and redirect on an average Thursday.
Fahima
“Friendship-making is not a race.”
So many of us have felt the unfortunfortable feeling of not knowing whose door to knock on when we need a pal to talk to. We may feel lonely in the dining hall, and we may wish we had someone to turn to in our classes. Because of this, many of us have felt pressure to make friends as quickly as possible, and establish a friend group within our first semester on campus. This feels like the best thing to do, right? Making friends (and I mean real friendships) is a journey. Find your folks when the time is right, and do not rush to pin down your people.
Cassandra
“Be kind to yourself. This is a big adjustment and you’ll need time to get used to it.”
College will be a totally different chapter in your life and, more often than not, you will be unsure of where to step and who to talk to. Your classes may leave you feeling confused. Your dorm building may be in a part of campus that you are unfamiliar with. It can be easy to judge yourself and feel like you will never have it all figured out. Do not let imposter syndrome get in your way, and remember that you are very capable. It’ll take some time, but allow yourself the space to make mistakes.
Malik
“Take detailed notes and really pay attention in lecture. You will get so bored and never learn unless you keep track of everything.”
Not every lecture will be a riveting retelling of extremely interesting history. Some lectures will be so incredibly boring, you will struggle to keep your eyes open. Unfortunately for you, every lecture will be equally important to your success and your learning. If you want to really learn the material required of you, you will need your notes. Studying will be easier, projects will be easier, papers will be easier, and the class in general will be a breeze. It can be hard to feel like you are learning anything if you have nothing to show for it, but taking detailed notes will certainly motivate you to keep your head in the game
College is a whirlwind and it is difficult to know what is the right or the wrong answer. The beautiful thing is that there isn’t a universal answer to your questions. You will explore and learn throughout your experience, and you may make a few mistakes along the way. Just know that all of the upperclassmen around you are on your side and want to support you on your journey. The best thing you can do is to simply be yourself and enjoy every good moment you have. Make the most of it.
