Tips For Going Off To College As A New Student
The “college experience” is an experience highly sought after among high school students and young adults. You even hear older folks talking about how they wish they could have went off themselves.
This article is going to share some tips for how you can have a good experience if you are coming in as a new student.
#1 Set Your Expectations Low
With everything you seen in popular media, as well as social media, it can be easy to set high standards for what you expect your experience to look like. I know for me this was definitely the case.
I came in as a transfer student during my last year to what was the second largest university in the nation at the time. Despite moving up there knowing no one, I honestly figured that I would have a full social life put together in 2 weeks.
Because my expectations were so high, it made it harder for me to appreciate the things I did have going on. It seemed like everywhere I turned I would see groups of friends laughing and couples holding hands. As a new guy on campus these were the things that I just didn’t have put together, and it wasn’t until I starting slowing down and lowering my expectations that I started to feel better.
#2 Be Respectful To Your Roommates
Living with roommates tends to be a big challenge for a lot of college students. Some of this can be because the housing tends to be on the small side, with walls that feel “paper thin”. Some of it can just the novelty of a group of young adults learning how to live together independently.
I was fortunate to have a good relationship with my roommates, but that’s not to say that things weren’t challenging.
When living in a college environment you just have to understand that loud music, weed smoke, and having people come in and out can all be a part of the experience.
Buy ear plugs. If you go to bed early let your roommates know so that they can adjust accordingly. If no one else is stepping up to keep the premises clean, do it yourself. And lastly, don’t be a bother to your roommates to try to be included. Realize that they are their own people with their own lives. If they invite you, great. If not, don’t get too bent out of shape about it.
#3 Get Involved On Campus
Regardless of how big or small your college is, there will most likely be a wide selection of events that you can attend. Everything from sports games, to lectures, networking events, volunteering opportunities, fitness classes, and a lot more.
Do yourself a favor and get involved with these things. You will meet new people, learn new things, and have fun.
This is personally what made my experience great. I utilized every on-campus resource I could. Everything from the on-campus recording studio, to yoga classes, martial arts training, and so on.
Most of these things are included with your tuition. It only makes sense to take advantage of them and enjoy them.
#4 Prioritize Sleep And Stay Balanced
Getting good sleep tends to be another big challenge for many college students. In my first semester this was something I experienced firsthand, and heard from a lot of others as well.
Due to the high demands of studying, as well as just the sometimes loud environment of living with roommates, it can make it hard to get good sleep. A big part of it can also be feeling amped up about the things you have planned for the next day.
During my personal experience, it wasn’t uncommon for me to have an early morning lecture, a fitness class, studio session, and proctored exam all on the schedule for the same day. With that involves getting up early, getting to campus on time, and also interacting with sometimes hundreds of people throughout the day.
Early on I would rush through everything at a fast pace, and at the end of the day I would be so wound up I couldn’t slow down enough to fall asleep. It wasn’t until I started to slow down, breathe, and take things easier on myself that I started sleeping better.
#5 Remember What You Are There For
At the end of the day, remember that you are at college so that you can get an education. Remember that finishing with good grades and graduating is more important than partying or having fun.
This is especially the case if you are receiving financial assistance from a family member. Don’t waste their money or your time by not taking your coursework seriously.
If you need help with an assignment, realize that there are on-campus resources there for that reason. Show up to class prepared. Get homework done. Study for exams and don’t try to just wing it.
Graduating with my degree is easily one of my greatest accomplishments in life. What made it so satisfying was that I was able to persevere through the challenges listed above, and that I was also able to have fun along the way.
Don’t cheat yourself out of getting what you came there for. Stay focused on doing well in your classes, and let the hard work take you to a destination that you can feel good about.
Conclusion
As mentioned up top, going off to college can be a highly sought after experience, but realize that it is your experience. Although your Instagram feed may be made up of kids hanging out at day parties, drinking at the bar each night, and dancing at the club on the weekends, realize that doesn’t have to be your experience if you don’t want it to be.
Thank you for taking the time to read. I hope you have enjoyed, and please feel free to check out some of my other content if you haven’t already.
