Being a freshman is a pretty scary prospect, and there are some life-changing adjustments you’re going to need to go through. For many people, this will be their first time living away from their family, without that support network, and this can be a huge culture shock. You’re going to be interacting and connecting with people from all walks of life, and this might be something outside of your comfort zone.
Surrounded by strangers in a completely alien environment, it can be daunting, and often it gets to the best of people. But, you want to make the process of being a college freshman as smooth and stress-free as possible. Trying to balance life, education, and having to make new friends can be overwhelming, but, we hope that with the advice we’re about to share, you can navigate the pitfalls of your freshman year with ease. It’s not as scary as it sounds, promise!
Join several clubs and societies
The social side of college can sometimes be the most important, especially if you want to expand your experiences and opportunities. That means signing up to join a club or society – but, actually, try to make sure it’s more than one. It’s a fantastic way of meeting people who have similar interests and hobbies to you. We reckon you’ll have no problem finding a couple of clubs that interest you, and, if you can’t, there is always the option of creating your own. Acapella, anyone?!
Have a diverse friendship group
It’s easy to fall into the habit of only making friends with the people from your dorm, but we think you need to be more diverse. There are so many great opportunities for making friends these days that you have a lot of options for meeting new people. Yes, you’re going to be great friends with your roommate (hopefully), but you also need to have some diversity in your friendship group as well. You will meet people in the clubs you join, and on your course, who you will have a great opportunity to become friends with.
If possible get a job
The J-word seems to be a big no-no for a lot of students, and we do get that. You’ll have your scholarship or student loan money to help you through semesters, but, you’ll also actually be grateful for the extra money you bring in through working a bit. It’s also an excellent way of developing a work ethic, and networking so that you have career prospects once you graduate college.
Attend classes
Trust us on this one, it is very easy to start skipping classes – and, once you start down that road it can become a slippery slope! Remember that you are in college to learn and study, and going to class is absolutely essential for this. Sure, you might not want to get up for that early morning lecture, but, it costs you money every time you skip. Try to get into a disciplined pattern of attending every class you have and ensuring you never miss unless you’re really unwell.
These are just a few of the great tips you need to help you successfully navigate your freshman year of college. There are so many great things about college that you need to discover, and these tips will help you successfully navigate your freshman year, and set you up well for the remainder of college life.
