How to Actually Survive Your Freshman Year of College

Anonymous
How to Actually Survive Your Freshman Year of College

First off, congratulations on being lucky enough to avoid having your Freshman year start in 2020. I can mainly start off this piece by not having to talk about potential imminent threats to your health and safety, so that's good.

1. Avoid Looking Like a Total Noob

A few days before your classes start, go find them. Nobody wants to be the person stumbling in all sweaty and late on the first day making an embarrassing impression because you didn't realize the old freshman English hall had moved clear across campus due to construction. While you're at it, find out where the best food is on campus, the registrars office, your counselor, where the dorm laundry is, etc, because that'll be one less thing you have to worry about.

2. Learn to Basic

How to Actually Survive Your Freshman Year of College

Haven't ever cooked a meal? Don't know how to put air in your tires or pump gas? Never had a credit card or a bank account or paid taxes? Haven't ever done a load of laundry? Guess what....you're a freaking adult now. Mom and dad can't (and more importantly won't!) do these things for you anymore because you're a big boy/girl. SPEND some actual time learning how to be a basic adult who is self-sufficient. Go grocery shopping by yourself, iron your own clothes, learn to cook some basic things, find out how to get a stain out of a sofa, learn how to correctly use a credit card. If your parents suck or are too busy to teach you, guess what you're on...say it with me..."The Internet." and it has a ton of tools for helping you learn how to do these things. School can be super stressful...these things shouldn't have to be!


3. Seek Balance in All Things

For many freshman, this will be the first time you will have to balance your work life +family obligations (if you still live close to home or at home) + your studies + your social life. A lot of freshman struggle hard with wanting to have as much fun as possible, but also realizing they have to pay for things now as an adult and have responsibilities they didn't before. You will be treated like an adult (at school at least). Your professors don't care if you had to take care of your sister last night, or your job held you later than expected, or you didn't get enough sleep so you missed the final. Their job is to teach you, not be your mommy and daddy. You're going to have a rude awakening if you think you can pass off the same tired excuses you got away with in high school, in college. They will simply fail you because they get paid whether you do well or not.

4. Actually Go to Class

How to Actually Survive Your Freshman Year of College

College is an expensive friggin' bill not to get your monies worth. You are there for your education, so go get it. Find your passion, and dive in head first. If you have no desire to go to school or some parent forced you to go, do something else because being bitter and skipping classes, is a waste of your teachers, and your time and money. If you want to be there, be there, and take full advantage of all the resources and connections your campus has to offer and actually do your classwork and study for those finals.

5. How to Party and Live!

Basically all of this:
https://www.collegemagazine.com/10-tips-for-your-first-college-party-that-will-get-you-lit-and-get-you-home-safe/

6. Don't Do Illegal Stuff

How to Actually Survive Your Freshman Year of College

This guy my freshman year, lived across from our stadium and decided as a prank to steal one of the team flags that hung at said stadium. So he snuck out at night, nabbed the flag....then displayed it right in his window for all to see. He was swiftly arrested, charged for the theft, then expelled from campus for life. I cannot make this anymore clear....there are no second chances or people who will take things you did as just "some kids having fun." I'm not saying don't get up to some fun shenanigans, but when it goes to that illegal place or against campus rules, don't friggin' do it especially if you live in the dorms!!! Also remember, if you're 18 or more realistically, at least 16, you will be charged as an adult for any crimes you commit, and campuses LOVE to charge expensive fines for things you get caught doing on campus to dissuade such behaviors.

7. Go Outside


This is a twofer. Yes, go to class, become valedictorian like the nerd you are, but also realize for all intent and purposes, this is perhaps the last time in your life where you can be even remotely young and free. This will not last! Leave the dorm room and explore your opportunities to the fullest and do make it a habit to have at least some fun! Also don't expect to just make friends because you are on campus, you must actually leave your dorm or your house and go out and meet people. Say hello. Ask to borrow a pencil and invite some people over to study for the finals. Join a club or go to a club. Flirt responsibly. Get to know people outside of your roommates. Attend campus events. Get a group together and all go to your first college game. Don't waste this time not giving yourself every chance to get to know people because you don't want the four+ years to end, and you have no friends and you did nothing other than study.

8. Ask for Help

How to Actually Survive Your Freshman Year of College

Yes, you need to learn how to do things on your own now, but while this is mostly true, if you are doing poorly in your classes, if your mental health is an issue, if you are having financial difficulties, if you're struggling in a toxic abusive relationship---ASK FOR HELP! I swear to you, there are people all around campus, both that work for the University, or new friends you meet or family back home that will help you if you let them know your struggles. Do not feel shame about this or hang around anyone who would make you feel shame about needing to ask for help. Most campuses, especially now, offer free or low cost counseling to students. Most of your professors offer meeting hours or study sessions outside of class as well as general study sessions offered by your university. If you are struggling to pay your tuition--talk to your bank, to on campus financial services, apply for a work study job, talk to any family who can help you out---there are options. The earlier you can ask for help, the better. You are not alone!


How to Actually Survive Your Freshman Year of College
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