University Life: Freshman Year of College: What I Learned

Worried? Anxious? Terrified? This was me when I was about to move out of my parents’ house the weekend before my freshman year of college. There’s a lot to learn, so try to soak some of this in.

Social Atmosphere
College is not high school. You will not be ridiculed for dressing or acting different and you will probably be rewarded for being a misfit. People seem to be much more mature and less judgmental. College is where we grow up, after all. Colleges also seem to have a much more liberal atmosphere than your hometown high school seemed to have. Young people are flowing with ideas and innovation. It’s time you joined the groove.

Classes/Teachers
Professors can be really strict or really cool. It all depends on how much of an ego they have. Classes will be much more challenging than high school. Remember to study generously. Don’t end up like me, the clueless college freshman who got D’s and even an F in college algebra. The only way around this is to try. Hard. Plus, you can lose your financial aid or be put on academic probation if your gpa gets too low! Be very careful and study often. Also, keep in mind that this is not grade school. You don't need a color-coded notebook for each class. I use a very large, separated notebook so that I am able to bring it everywhere and don't have to sort through notebooks to find a certain one for a certain class. I just have one notebook, and that's much easier to carry around everywhere. From personal experience, all I needed was my large notebook, a graphing calculator, and lots of different-colored pens (these help with study skills and organization). Keep the supplies to a minimum. You don't want to carry around the entire school supplies section in your backpack.

Roommates
The roommate situation is going to be just as awkward as you imagined. But she is thinking the same things you are. Just be nice and hope for the best. You might even become friends, or in my case, enemies. My first roommate thought I was so weird she moved out on me and switched roommates mid-semester. My second roommate didn’t say a word to me. She actually bullied me out of the room, so after that incident, I switched to a private suite. Girls can be brutally mean. Keep that in mind, but also don’t judge too harshly when you first meet someone. Innocent until proven bitchy.

Home Visits
When you visit home for the first time, it’s going to be different, no matter how much you assume that it will be exactly the same as before. Your parents will say you look or seem different. They’ll say you grew up. They’ll say you’re much more mature and wise. Don't worry, that’s great! You’re no longer a child. You’re getting ready to face the world. You'll get used to the new family atmosphere, and at least in my case, I got along with my mom a lot better than when I had to live with her.

Organization
The dorms are cramped and organization is tough. If you’re anything like me, your room will be a disaster by the end of the semester. Try to clean up after yourself. A hoarding room is never fun, either. Keep your packing to a minimum. You don’t want to bring so much stuff that it won’t fit in your room. And organization: keep your clothes in one place, your food in one place, and your hygiene products in one place. Organization is not so bad, it’s gonna keep some of the stress at bay. Also, you don’t have to buy high-end supplies to organize. Plastic drawers or crates will do just fine. Even a shower organizer can be used for almost anything, including school supplies.

Pets
Animal friends are almost always a no-no. Don’t be like me and buy tropical frogs mid-semester, hiding them from the RA’s and accidentally spilling your crickets on the floor so they are able to crawl under the door and get into other girls’ beds. I also heard of a girl that kept her cat in a tiny dorm and kept it on the DL all semester. She finally got caught when it started meowing to be freed. Some dorms tolerate fish, but that’s usually about it. I know you’ll miss your cat or dog, but they’re meant to stay at home, unfortunately.

Packing
If you’re planning on packing your entire wardrobe, think again. Dorm closets are tiny and cramped. Pack seasonal clothing, and as the seasons change, switch out your closet during breaks back home. Also, only bring the necessities. Think through your things. Am I really going to use this? Do I really need to bring leopard stilettos, or will they just take up space? Make sure to bring clothes you will actually wear.

Decorating
If you’re going to want a cute, original room, décor is a must. DIY projects are cheap and fun, and you can make almost anything you can dream up with supplies from Hobby Lobby. A few of my favorites are the pineapple lamp made out of a 2-liter plastic bottle and plastic spoons, the full-length mirror with fake flowers hot-glued to it, and the glitter or floral letters spelling a word or your name that you can hang on the wall! Use Pinterest and search "dorm room DIY" to find super cute projects you can decorate your room with!

Cafeteria/Food
If you’ll be eating in a cafeteria, I’m not going to sugarcoat the truth. The food will be horrendous. At my school, they fed us cheese curds and lasagna together. If you’re trying to stay healthy, it’ll be a challenge. My school offers a salad bar, but main-course-temptation is always there. Most schools allow mini-fridges or microwaves in dorm rooms so you can make your own food instead. Keeping healthy will be difficult, but make sure you do everything you can to avoid the freshman 15! Keep healthy food in your fridge or pantry, buy a yoga mat and exercise gear, or work out at the gym on campus: anything to keep your mind and body feeling well for good grades, emotional well-being, and tons of newfound college fun!

I’ll admit, most of your college experience isn't going to be academics, but will be dominated by social situations and friends. Some of the friends you meet in college may stay for life. Take advantage of the fun, at least sometimes! Obviously you'll need to study, especially because you’re paying this time, but realize that social stuff is important too. The college experience should be fun! Make good friends and amazing memories. College is the place to really be yourself without judgment. It’s your clean slate. Do it right, this time! Don’t be scared to be yourself, and the friends will roll in.