The transition from high school to college life is challenging for many new students. There is a lot of stress accumulated during the semester, and the strenuous class projects and assignments are not easy either. While some students do great at accommodating the new life, there are others who have a hard time getting used to it. If you are between the latter, here are some tips for incoming college freshmen on how to get the best out of your first year.
Flickr user Marquette University
College is definitely something you will learn a lot from. Not only are you learning new materials in your college courses, but you’re also learning a lot of things about life during this period of your life as a young adult and first-year college student!
10 Tips for Incoming College Freshmen
1. Know Basic Technology
Familiarize yourself with technology before beginning your freshman year. You must know how to use Microsoft Office, Excel, and Google Docs. These tools are basic and a necessity while you’re in school. You’ll need them to collaborate with your peers and even professors.
Another way to improve your technical knowledge is to improve your typing speed. Be fast in order to finish your homework quickly and have time to hang out with your friends!
2. Meet New People
It can be nerve-wracking to meet new people, especially in college but that’s exactly how you make lifelong friends! If you’re living in a dorm, go to the community activities they hold weekly or monthly to meet other people in your building. You can also join clubs that pique your interest or go with your college major. You’ll meet people who are also looking for friends. Remember, all these college students are also there experiencing the same life event as you, so they also want friends!
3. Learn Time Management
Balancing your free time and your work time is going to be challenging at first. Make sure you keep organized. Buy a planner and write down every planned activity at the beginning of each week—don’t miss appointments or meetings (especially class). Also, you can make up your own designed schedule and stick it on the wall, right above your desk. That way, you make sure you don’t forget anything.
Tip: Make use of the digital tools available online in order to keep organized.
4. Use Campus Resources
Your college campus has tutoring centers, free gyms, free counseling, and other resources. Take advantage of all the things your campus has to offer, you’re paying for it anyways! You can ask other students or just walk around your campus to see what is available for students to use. This can make a huge difference in your college career, especially when it comes to academic resources and seeking out help for your mental health when you’re feeling overwhelmed.
5. Stay Safe
No matter what you do, stay safe! Make sure you are always surrounded by friends when you go somewhere. Also, be aware of all the campus’ safety resources. Every college has an app or a list of emergency contacts in case you get in trouble. Keep your RA’s phone number on your emergency contact list as well. They are trained to handle every situation. If your phone has location-sharing abilities, consider sharing it with your family and college friends so they know where you are.
6. Reach Out to Your Professors
Keeping a close relationship with your professor is a good way to improve both your performance and your grades. Professors like helping students with everything that they need—in the end, that’s what they are paid for. They also enjoy talking to interested students. They would highly appreciate your passion for different subjects. Keeping in contact with your professor is another way to network while in college. In a few years, they could recommend an internship or job they may know of because they knew who you were.
7. Enjoy Orientation
Katie Rodriguez, currently sales manager at RushMyEssay UK, and former Yale graduate, shares her story.
“I met my best friend during orientation. I still remember how lost we both were as freshmen. For me, it was hard making friends, and I think she felt the same. I took a deep breath and asked her if she wanted to have lunch with me. Best decision ever!”
Enjoy freshman orientation! It is a great way to make new friends and get to know people. It may seem cheesy or lame, but it is a great way to meet others and get to know your campus better.
8. Be Informed About Your Financial Aid
One of the most important tips we can give college freshmen (and sophomores, juniors and seniors) is to be informed about financial aid. We know that you’re an incoming freshman so your student loans are probably not as much as others but it’s important to know how much you’re taking out each semester. If you have the ability to start paying ones with accumulating interest, we suggest doing so.
Even though you’re already enrolled in college, you can still apply for scholarships. College Raptor will match you with scholarships you’re eligible for to help you get FREE money for school. Scholarships can pay for a variety of college-related things including laptops and rent.
9. Keep Up with Your Health
Your mental and physical health throughout your first year of college will likely change. It’s such a huge transition in your life so it can be hard to keep up with staying healthy. We suggest getting active a few times a week whether that’s at the gym, joining a sports team, or just walking around campus a few miles a day. Make sure you’re eating a good amount of vegetables and fruits to keep your body going and full of nutrients. If your college offers counseling or therapy, set up an appointment so you can have a professional to talk to when you’re feeling overwhelmed with college life. Doing these things will make such a big difference in your overall college experience.
10. Get a Part-Time Job
It’s important to focus on your studies while you’re in college but getting a part-time job is a great way to get extra money and do something besides studying. See if you can find a job on your campus or close to campus so you don’t have to drive far or you can walk. A lot of places near college campuses will work with your school schedule because they know they’re in a college town.
Being a first-year student is not an easy job, we know. But you will eventually get used to your school, make new friends, and join new clubs. Follow these tips for incoming college freshmen to succeed and have a great college experience.
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