1. College is a Marathon, Not a Sprint
I don't care what your major is. Do NOT take 18 hours of hard classes and avoid 8 A.M.s your first semester. Take 14/15 hours of basics. It's much better to end your first semester with a 4.0 than with a 3.2 and some hard classes "out of the way". You take classes so that you can learn, not so you can cross them off of your checklist. Give yourself first semester to get adjusted. I didn't do this because I thought I could handle it and didn't do as great as I could have. This is one is very important.
2. No Matter How Prepared You May Be, Sometimes You Just Aren't
and it can be really frustrating. Sometimes a teacher will have a different way of testing and no matter how hard you studied or thought you knew the material, you will still do badly. It is okay. Just breathe, and go talk to your teacher. Learn how they test and kill the next one. Don't be so hard on yourself. Freshmen year is for learning and getting adjusted.
3. Your Teachers are There to Teach You
Yes, they actually want you to do well. Show an enthusiasm for their class and they will do what they can to help you. If it is a class that you really just cannot do well in, go to your teacher's office hours and ask for help. Then, you will not just be another name on the role and you can develop a relationship with that teacher.
4. You Will Not Manage Your Time Wisely At First
and that's okay. Once you realize that something has got to give, take a week and write down what you do every hour. If a majority of those hours are devoted to Twitter and Netflix, you know where you need to make some changes and can get back on track. Oh, and get a planner.
5. There are Less Hours in a Day in College Than There Were in High School
I am not sure why this happens. I think it means that you're getting old. But don't panic. Plan out your day, don't procrastinate, and get plenty of sleep. You'll be fine.
6. Netflix Will Always Sound Better Than the Gym
You're not going to feel like working out but , if you want to keep your sanity, you have to . Make your roommate to go to a Pilates or yoga or step class with you at least two times a week. Walk to class. Stretch and do some crunches before you get in the shower. Whatever you have to do, just take care of your body.
7. First Semester is the Time that You Establish Relationships and What People Think of You
Do not be that person who is always locked up in her room. Go to cheesy events that the campus offers just to meet new people! Who cares if you think they're lame? You'll have fun and meet people like you who want to be involved on campus. Go to the caf with your roommate and sit with new people each time. Always have a smile on your face. You want to be the new girl who is outgoing and kind, right? Not the girl who avoids socializing at all costs by walking quickly and avoiding eye contact
8. DO NOT TAKE NIGHT CLASSES
Unless you want to sit through three hours of lecture from 6-9 P.M. after you just took a final that you stayed up all night studying for (this happened to me multiple times), I repeat do not take night classes. You're welcome.
9. Apply for Programs Now
If you want to apply for an honors program, leadership scholarship, early acceptance program, etc., usually around this time is when deadlines start creeping up. Do your research and find programs to apply to! They will pay off (literally) big time.
10. Some People are Still Stuck in High School.
and that's okay. Let them worry about why Jennifer said Brittany's scarf was ugly. Because you're in college and you don't have time for petty drama. Leave that in high school.
11. When it Comes to Friends, think Quality, not Quantity
Sure, you will probably be a part of a big group of friends. But I cannot stress enough the importance of who you give your time to. Remember when your parents said "you are who you hang out with"? They were so right. Be nice and be friends with everyone, but be close with the friends that feel more like family.
12. Be the Responsible One
It is always better to have to prove that you can let loose than have to prove that you can be responsible.
13. Clubs
No, not those kind. School kind. Speaking of responsibility, when it comes to clubs, don't spread yourself thin. Be a part of a few clubs that you can make important contributions to. Nothing is worse than having anxiety because you have to choose between which meeting to go to because they're on the same night. Pick a few and make them all priorities.
14. Take Charge!
Run for a leadership position and really put some time into it. You get out what you put in, and more.
15. Have School Spirit
This is the last school you're going to go to, so make the best of it! Believing in and supporting your school makes games (and everything else) so much more fun.
16. Picking a Major
I know, it's stressful. Whether you know what you want to major in or not, don't stress. Sometimes, you start out in chemical engineering and end up in biology or art or english- the list goes on. You don't have to be 100% on your major your first year. But if you are, make sure that you're taking the classes you need and not just random ones to get by. That's what advisors are for!
17. Finals
DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE WEEK OF FINALS TO START STUDYING FOR FINALS. Start two weeks early. Make flashcards, outlines, whatever you have to do. You want to be reviewing the week of finals, not relearning everything last minute.
17. First Semester Freshman Year is the Most Fun
Everything and everyone is new. Take advantage of it! Meet new people and try new things. You'll be amazed at how much you learn about yourself from others. Then, second semester you realize "wow I'm in college and really need to get it together". Enjoy the fun while you can.
18. You
You are going to be a completely different person by the end of freshman year (in a good way). It's exciting and scary all at the same time. Make new friends, good grades, and some amazing memories.
I don't care what your major is. Do NOT take 18 hours of hard classes and avoid 8 A.M.s your first semester. Take 14/15 hours of basics. It's much better to end your first semester with a 4.0 than with a 3.2 and some hard classes "out of the way". You take classes so that you can learn, not so you can cross them off of your checklist. Give yourself first semester to get adjusted. I didn't do this because I thought I could handle it and didn't do as great as I could have. This is one is very important.
2. No Matter How Prepared You May Be, Sometimes You Just Aren't
and it can be really frustrating. Sometimes a teacher will have a different way of testing and no matter how hard you studied or thought you knew the material, you will still do badly. It is okay. Just breathe, and go talk to your teacher. Learn how they test and kill the next one. Don't be so hard on yourself. Freshmen year is for learning and getting adjusted.
3. Your Teachers are There to Teach You
Yes, they actually want you to do well. Show an enthusiasm for their class and they will do what they can to help you. If it is a class that you really just cannot do well in, go to your teacher's office hours and ask for help. Then, you will not just be another name on the role and you can develop a relationship with that teacher.
4. You Will Not Manage Your Time Wisely At First
and that's okay. Once you realize that something has got to give, take a week and write down what you do every hour. If a majority of those hours are devoted to Twitter and Netflix, you know where you need to make some changes and can get back on track. Oh, and get a planner.
5. There are Less Hours in a Day in College Than There Were in High School
I am not sure why this happens. I think it means that you're getting old. But don't panic. Plan out your day, don't procrastinate, and get plenty of sleep. You'll be fine.
6. Netflix Will Always Sound Better Than the Gym
You're not going to feel like working out but , if you want to keep your sanity, you have to . Make your roommate to go to a Pilates or yoga or step class with you at least two times a week. Walk to class. Stretch and do some crunches before you get in the shower. Whatever you have to do, just take care of your body.
7. First Semester is the Time that You Establish Relationships and What People Think of You
Do not be that person who is always locked up in her room. Go to cheesy events that the campus offers just to meet new people! Who cares if you think they're lame? You'll have fun and meet people like you who want to be involved on campus. Go to the caf with your roommate and sit with new people each time. Always have a smile on your face. You want to be the new girl who is outgoing and kind, right? Not the girl who avoids socializing at all costs by walking quickly and avoiding eye contact
8. DO NOT TAKE NIGHT CLASSES
Unless you want to sit through three hours of lecture from 6-9 P.M. after you just took a final that you stayed up all night studying for (this happened to me multiple times), I repeat do not take night classes. You're welcome.
9. Apply for Programs Now
If you want to apply for an honors program, leadership scholarship, early acceptance program, etc., usually around this time is when deadlines start creeping up. Do your research and find programs to apply to! They will pay off (literally) big time.
10. Some People are Still Stuck in High School.
and that's okay. Let them worry about why Jennifer said Brittany's scarf was ugly. Because you're in college and you don't have time for petty drama. Leave that in high school.
11. When it Comes to Friends, think Quality, not Quantity
Sure, you will probably be a part of a big group of friends. But I cannot stress enough the importance of who you give your time to. Remember when your parents said "you are who you hang out with"? They were so right. Be nice and be friends with everyone, but be close with the friends that feel more like family.
12. Be the Responsible One
It is always better to have to prove that you can let loose than have to prove that you can be responsible.
13. Clubs
No, not those kind. School kind. Speaking of responsibility, when it comes to clubs, don't spread yourself thin. Be a part of a few clubs that you can make important contributions to. Nothing is worse than having anxiety because you have to choose between which meeting to go to because they're on the same night. Pick a few and make them all priorities.
14. Take Charge!
Run for a leadership position and really put some time into it. You get out what you put in, and more.
15. Have School Spirit
This is the last school you're going to go to, so make the best of it! Believing in and supporting your school makes games (and everything else) so much more fun.
16. Picking a Major
I know, it's stressful. Whether you know what you want to major in or not, don't stress. Sometimes, you start out in chemical engineering and end up in biology or art or english- the list goes on. You don't have to be 100% on your major your first year. But if you are, make sure that you're taking the classes you need and not just random ones to get by. That's what advisors are for!
17. Finals
DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE WEEK OF FINALS TO START STUDYING FOR FINALS. Start two weeks early. Make flashcards, outlines, whatever you have to do. You want to be reviewing the week of finals, not relearning everything last minute.
17. First Semester Freshman Year is the Most Fun
Everything and everyone is new. Take advantage of it! Meet new people and try new things. You'll be amazed at how much you learn about yourself from others. Then, second semester you realize "wow I'm in college and really need to get it together". Enjoy the fun while you can.
18. You
You are going to be a completely different person by the end of freshman year (in a good way). It's exciting and scary all at the same time. Make new friends, good grades, and some amazing memories.