It’s that time of year again, the freshmen are moving into the dorms this weekend and our apartment complex is as busy as a beehive with the new residents moving in as well.
Fall is my favorite time of year (besides the amazing weather and cute clothes) as a higher education professional. Fall is when your hard work is realized and the excitement of a new entering class is everywhere. This post is something I have wanted to write for a long time, so here it is (finally).
I read something this week in reference to moving in that said, “When your mom wants to unpack all of your clothes and make your bed – Let her. When your dad wants to introduce himself to all the people on your floor – Let him. When they want to take pictures of every move you make this weekend – Let them…As you start the new chapter of your life, they are also starting the new chapter of theirs…So let them treat you like their ‘baby’ one last time.”
This speaks volumes because, at the end of the day, they are going to be your biggest support system so don’t cut them out. Lean on them when you are struggling. No one expects you to know how to “adult” in the first year of entering this new stage in life. I can’t tell you how many times I called home from the grocery store to ask what product my mom recommended. Whether it was laundry detergent or what soup when I was sick! I also asked a few mom-looking ladies in the grocery store a couple of times.
Your university will likely have an activity fair or some way for you to learn about the organizations and activities/events you can participate in. Do that! Find out where you fit in. See if your major has organizations dedicated to students seeking the same/similar degree as you. This helps in picking classes/professors, finding study groups, learning about internship opportunities, etc.
This is one of the things I wish I learned earlier on. Do you study better in a group or alone? By using flashcards, reviewing notes, or reading the text? Essentially, be aware of how you study and stick to what makes you successful.
This seems like a no-brainer, but you would be surprised how many students skip class and then wonder why they failed or weren’t successful. Showing up is half of it!
When you move in make sure to introduce yourself to other students in your dorm. If you are in an all freshmen dorm then they are going through the exact same life change as you. Same goes for your classmates. You don’t have to be best friends with all of them, but you would be surprised who you will meet.
Time management! Determine how you are going to keep track of your assignments, exams, extra-curricular activities, work schedule, etc. Whether this is plugging it into a calendar on your phone or writing it down in a planner the old fashioned way, time management skills are key to success in college and life.
Do not be afraid of them! Most professors are willing to answer questions after class or during office hours. Just make sure you have quality questions.
Much like learning about activities on campus, learn about the services your university has to offer. There may be free tutoring, a place that helps edit your papers, a health center for when you are sick, or counseling services if you are struggling mentally or emotionally. It is ok to admit when you need help. These services are here for you because we all know college is a transition period and it’s challenging.
Going to a party or a bar? Know who you are going with and make a plan for coming home safe. There is nothing more terrifying than finding yourself in a bad situation. Have a good time, but make smart choices.
I mean physically active. We have all heard of the freshmen fifteen (hence the title of the post), but getting involved in intramural sports, going to the rec, or participating in group fitness classes will improve your overall wellness and cognitive function. But please don’t go to the gym for social hour!
Your university offers advising, but take charge of your own degree plan. Understand how to read your degree plan and course sequence. Many students let someone else make these decisions for them, but those individuals make mistakes too. You don’t want to find yourself in the last semester missing one 3-hour course that will keep you from graduating.
Secondly, know what classes you have taken. For example, I was enrolled in an accounting class my sophomore year and during my advising session the advisor listed that class as one to take the following semester. If I didn’t know I was in that class or had already completed it then I could have easily enrolled and retaken a course I didn’t need to.
Find a job! Not only does this offer some income, but it gives you experience to add to your resume. If you can find a job on campus (especially one that aligns with your future career), even better! Campus jobs are great and give you the opportunity to know faculty and/or staff. Work hard and they’ll be your biggest supports when you need references or letters of recommendation.
Again, a no-brainer, but procrastination is real. Just don’t let it get the best of you. If a large project seems overwhelming, work on it a little at a time. Your syllabus tells you what is coming up and getting a head start is important.
Try things outside your comfort zone. Go to a cultural event, visit an art gallery or theater production on campus, consider studying abroad. You learn just as much outside the classroom through experiences.
Most importantly, don’t quit. Earning a college degree does not come easy, regardless of how others make it look on social media. Enjoy the time you have, the memories you will make, and keep marching forward.
I hope you find this list helpful and you take some of the advice to become successful. College really can be the best time of your life so start off on the right foot. Until next post…xoxo Becca
Pinterest is loaded with recipes, DIYs, decorating tips, workout plans, the list goes on and on, but it also has some good quotes that serve as reminders or motivators in some cases. I have a whole board dedicated to them. The board is called Words of Wisdom and you can check it out here. Warning, it’s a lot of random stuff, but isn’t that what wisdom is…the knowledge of a whole bunch of stuff? Ok, maybe that’s not completely right, but that’s how I define “wise,” having insight because of experience. That being said, one of the pins I ran across earlier this week reminds me how important quality over quantity is.
When you go to college you meet a ton of new people. Everyone’s different, the environment is different. During college you’re growing as a person because every situation is new and challenging. You’re figuring yourself out. By senior year most of your friends are probably similar to you because you’ve narrowed down the list of people you want to be around. After college…boy oh boy do things change. You start to realize which people are truly there for you even if they’re 200+ miles away. All of a sudden your “group” gets smaller and I’m here to remind you…that’s ok!
I spent the first few years out of college realizing who my true friends were and the people who had similar goals. I didn’t have time for those who would drag me down. I needed (and wanted) to surround myself with genuine people. Slowly my circle got smaller and smaller until I had a handful of really great people supporting me. Along the way you pick up new friends who come and go based on life changes.
For me, a good friend is honest, unselfish, successful/goal oriented, and genuine.
If you have people in your life who are bringing you down or making your life difficult, I’m not telling you to drop them, but maybe it’s time to consider who has the most positive impact on your life.
Don’t forget to evaluate how you are as a friend too! No one is perfect. Maybe you could reach out a little more or offer advice more frequently. Make an effort to stay involved in a person’s life.
Was this too deep for a Friday? Remember when I started this blog and I said I wanted to share daily life, struggles, ambitions, and everything in between. Well here ya go! Hope you have a great weekend and check back Monday for a post. Thanks for visiting, I hope you leave me love in the form of a comment, I love hearing from you. Until next post…xoxo Becca
Becca
born and raised Texan
Hi all and welcome to my cozy little place in the blogosphere. My name is Becca and I'm a born and raised Texan. After college I got married. Got a puppy. Got a house. And then I decided I wanted to share daily life, struggles, ambitions, and everything in between.
