Fourteen Things I Wish I Would've Known Going in to my Freshman Year of College
Hey Everyone!
Today I thought I would share with you five things I wish I would have known going in to my freshman year of college. I will be a sophomore this January at my University, and I can remember doing a TON of research going in to my first semester of college. And, I read a ton of articles ranging from "dorm room essentials" to "advice to my freshman self" and spoiler alert- I did not need nor pack half of the "essentials" on that list, and a lot of the advice I read I had already known or considered common sense. So, while I am not going to touch on the dorm room or college essentials in this post, because that can be its own, rather lengthy post. However, today I am going to be sharing the top fourteen things I wish I would have known going into my freshman year of college. And, I'm just warning you now, I am going to keep it as real as possible with you. These are in no particular order, just in the order they come to my mind in.
#1 Everyone is Nervous- Embrace it!
One of the biggest things that I wish I would have known going in to my freshman year of college is that I was not the only one nervous to move into the dorms, that I wouldn't make friends or fit in, or about juggling classes and a social life. Turns out, most people are really nervous going into freshman year. So embrace it! Those first couple days, everyone is trying to make friends and adjust to dorm living, classes and campus life- introduce yourself to you suite mates, neighbors, classmates, and people on your floor, everyone is going to be wanting to make friends. So stop in and say hey, keep your door open, and try to be friendly, who knows, maybe you'll get lucky like I did and meet some people that will end up being your closest friends within your first few days on campus.
#2 College is a lot Different from High School it is okay to be Nervous
Going in with the last one- it is okay to be nervous going into college. College is a lot different from high school. Personally, I can remember worrying that I would not make friends, or that I was going to hate living in the dorms. But come to find out, this is something that everyone worries about and thinks before heading off to college and it is okay! Just don't let it consume you- instead try to come up with reasons to be excited, like dorm room décor!
#3 Your Roommate does not have to be your Best Friend but they can be!
I was always told that your roommate could not be your best friend in college because you will end up fighting and it just does not work, however my experience has been a little different. I have found that you can actually be best friends with your roommate. My roommate and I, for instance are best friends, however we do not hang out all the time, or even have all of the same friends. But at the end of the day, I know that she always has my back and she is one of the few people that I feel like I can tell everything to, and we have a lot of fun with our random talks. Oh and did I mention, we still like to hang out.
#4 Dining Hall Food is Actually Good!
From my experience anyways, sure it gets kind of old after a while! But that's nothing some extra snacks and Jimmy John's can't handle (Not that I ever treat myself to Jimmy Johns.. sometimes multiple times a week depending on how hard I study..). Get some snacks, and treat yourself to something different every once in a while and you'll be just fine!
#5 Learn to Like Naps
Personally, I truly discovered my love for naps, and how big of a difference they can make in college. When you have 8AMs (avoid those if you can), or even 9 AMs, you don't always get to sleep as much as you need to or would like, and that's okay. Sometimes when you are studying or working on homework, you hit a wall where you are doing more harm then good, or where you just are crabby, and at those points, sometimes its okay to take a nap. I take them a little more often than I'd like to admit haha.
#6 Half of Those "Essentials" on that College Packing List, You Really don't Even Need
Trust me, when you get in your dorm, you won't have room for random things you don't need, really try to think about what you will use all of the time, and where you will store it. I will do a dorm essentials post in the future.
#7 Your Backpack will Become your Bestfriend- Get a Good One and Keep it Stocked with the Essentials!
I personally have the North Face backpack, and love it! I will also try to do a post with what's in my backpack soon, and the essentials that I always keep with me to keep me sane throughout the day. However my biggest essentials include snacks, water or a drink, gum, and chap stick. You'd be surprised how hangry you can get when you have to skip lunch or skipped breakfast.
#8 Join a Few Clubs that you are Genuinely Interested in
Join a few clubs on campus, but try to keep it around three your first semester, try to stick with one related to your major, and then a couple that interest you. It is a great way to meet new people and get involved on campus!
#9 Go to Sporting Events and Campus Activities!
Try to go to sporting events and other campus events when you can! Especially your first few weeks on campus, a lot of colleges have quite a few activities the first few weeks to try to get you involved. Try to go to anything you think might be interesting, plus there's probably free stuff or food you can snag!
#10 Make Friends with Other People on your Floor!
I personally live with a group of students who all have similar majors to mine, so it was very easy for me to make friends. However, I recommend trying to make friends with people on your floor even if you do not have anything in common. It is nice to have more familiar faces on campus, and you will be spending a lot of time with those people, so it is a lot easier to get along with them and have a little bit of fun, especially when the stress of school kicks in.
#11 Sometimes you have to get OFF Campus!
When you live in the dorms on campus, it is like being at home all the time. So when the stress of the semester starts to kick in, find a way to get away, whether it is a trip to Walmart, or going hiking with friends, or even just for a drive. You'd be surprised how getting away can help clear your mind and help with stress. Plus sometimes it is fun to spend the day away from campus with friends, and if you do an activity like hiking, it is free, fun and you get a little bit of exercise.
#12 You don't have to be in a Relationship to be Happy!
A lot of people get to college and jump into a relationship right off the batt, however you do not have to do that in order to be happy and have fun. Don't settle, remember that!
#13 You Really Don't Live in Sweat Pants All the Time- But Take Warm Clothes
Personally, my senior year of high school, I hit that rut of senioritis where I wore nothing but yoga pants, and I honestly thought that I'd be the same way in college, but I'm not. Sure I LOVE my leggings, but I really do not wear them as pants or not dressed up as much as I thought I would. I wear jeans quite a bit, however I do still like my leggings from time to time. Baggy sweat pants are great for lounging around as well. Side note- when it gets cold keep in mind that you really have to bundle up, because in college you walk or ride your bike EVERYWHERE! So invest in a good coat, scarf, hat, gloves, and warm shoes, you'll thank me later.
#14 College Really is the Time of Your Life- Enjoy It!
College is a lot of fun, and you'll make great, life-long friends. Have fun, soak up the good times, have a blast with your friends, but party smart! Take lots of pictures and have the time of your life! These next four years will be a blast!
Today I thought I would share with you five things I wish I would have known going in to my freshman year of college. I will be a sophomore this January at my University, and I can remember doing a TON of research going in to my first semester of college. And, I read a ton of articles ranging from "dorm room essentials" to "advice to my freshman self" and spoiler alert- I did not need nor pack half of the "essentials" on that list, and a lot of the advice I read I had already known or considered common sense. So, while I am not going to touch on the dorm room or college essentials in this post, because that can be its own, rather lengthy post. However, today I am going to be sharing the top fourteen things I wish I would have known going into my freshman year of college. And, I'm just warning you now, I am going to keep it as real as possible with you. These are in no particular order, just in the order they come to my mind in.
#1 Everyone is Nervous- Embrace it!
One of the biggest things that I wish I would have known going in to my freshman year of college is that I was not the only one nervous to move into the dorms, that I wouldn't make friends or fit in, or about juggling classes and a social life. Turns out, most people are really nervous going into freshman year. So embrace it! Those first couple days, everyone is trying to make friends and adjust to dorm living, classes and campus life- introduce yourself to you suite mates, neighbors, classmates, and people on your floor, everyone is going to be wanting to make friends. So stop in and say hey, keep your door open, and try to be friendly, who knows, maybe you'll get lucky like I did and meet some people that will end up being your closest friends within your first few days on campus.
#2 College is a lot Different from High School it is okay to be Nervous
Going in with the last one- it is okay to be nervous going into college. College is a lot different from high school. Personally, I can remember worrying that I would not make friends, or that I was going to hate living in the dorms. But come to find out, this is something that everyone worries about and thinks before heading off to college and it is okay! Just don't let it consume you- instead try to come up with reasons to be excited, like dorm room décor!
#3 Your Roommate does not have to be your Best Friend but they can be!
I was always told that your roommate could not be your best friend in college because you will end up fighting and it just does not work, however my experience has been a little different. I have found that you can actually be best friends with your roommate. My roommate and I, for instance are best friends, however we do not hang out all the time, or even have all of the same friends. But at the end of the day, I know that she always has my back and she is one of the few people that I feel like I can tell everything to, and we have a lot of fun with our random talks. Oh and did I mention, we still like to hang out.
#4 Dining Hall Food is Actually Good!
From my experience anyways, sure it gets kind of old after a while! But that's nothing some extra snacks and Jimmy John's can't handle (Not that I ever treat myself to Jimmy Johns.. sometimes multiple times a week depending on how hard I study..). Get some snacks, and treat yourself to something different every once in a while and you'll be just fine!
#5 Learn to Like Naps
Personally, I truly discovered my love for naps, and how big of a difference they can make in college. When you have 8AMs (avoid those if you can), or even 9 AMs, you don't always get to sleep as much as you need to or would like, and that's okay. Sometimes when you are studying or working on homework, you hit a wall where you are doing more harm then good, or where you just are crabby, and at those points, sometimes its okay to take a nap. I take them a little more often than I'd like to admit haha.
#6 Half of Those "Essentials" on that College Packing List, You Really don't Even Need
Trust me, when you get in your dorm, you won't have room for random things you don't need, really try to think about what you will use all of the time, and where you will store it. I will do a dorm essentials post in the future.
#7 Your Backpack will Become your Bestfriend- Get a Good One and Keep it Stocked with the Essentials!
I personally have the North Face backpack, and love it! I will also try to do a post with what's in my backpack soon, and the essentials that I always keep with me to keep me sane throughout the day. However my biggest essentials include snacks, water or a drink, gum, and chap stick. You'd be surprised how hangry you can get when you have to skip lunch or skipped breakfast.
#8 Join a Few Clubs that you are Genuinely Interested in
Join a few clubs on campus, but try to keep it around three your first semester, try to stick with one related to your major, and then a couple that interest you. It is a great way to meet new people and get involved on campus!
#9 Go to Sporting Events and Campus Activities!
Try to go to sporting events and other campus events when you can! Especially your first few weeks on campus, a lot of colleges have quite a few activities the first few weeks to try to get you involved. Try to go to anything you think might be interesting, plus there's probably free stuff or food you can snag!
#10 Make Friends with Other People on your Floor!
I personally live with a group of students who all have similar majors to mine, so it was very easy for me to make friends. However, I recommend trying to make friends with people on your floor even if you do not have anything in common. It is nice to have more familiar faces on campus, and you will be spending a lot of time with those people, so it is a lot easier to get along with them and have a little bit of fun, especially when the stress of school kicks in.
#11 Sometimes you have to get OFF Campus!
When you live in the dorms on campus, it is like being at home all the time. So when the stress of the semester starts to kick in, find a way to get away, whether it is a trip to Walmart, or going hiking with friends, or even just for a drive. You'd be surprised how getting away can help clear your mind and help with stress. Plus sometimes it is fun to spend the day away from campus with friends, and if you do an activity like hiking, it is free, fun and you get a little bit of exercise.
#12 You don't have to be in a Relationship to be Happy!
A lot of people get to college and jump into a relationship right off the batt, however you do not have to do that in order to be happy and have fun. Don't settle, remember that!
#13 You Really Don't Live in Sweat Pants All the Time- But Take Warm Clothes
Personally, my senior year of high school, I hit that rut of senioritis where I wore nothing but yoga pants, and I honestly thought that I'd be the same way in college, but I'm not. Sure I LOVE my leggings, but I really do not wear them as pants or not dressed up as much as I thought I would. I wear jeans quite a bit, however I do still like my leggings from time to time. Baggy sweat pants are great for lounging around as well. Side note- when it gets cold keep in mind that you really have to bundle up, because in college you walk or ride your bike EVERYWHERE! So invest in a good coat, scarf, hat, gloves, and warm shoes, you'll thank me later.
#14 College Really is the Time of Your Life- Enjoy It!
College is a lot of fun, and you'll make great, life-long friends. Have fun, soak up the good times, have a blast with your friends, but party smart! Take lots of pictures and have the time of your life! These next four years will be a blast!
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