So, you’ve finally made it to college. No more raising your hand to go to the bathroom, no more hall passes, no one to tell you that you can’t chew gum in class and of course, no one can take your cellphone and you don’t get detention for skipping class! BUT the war is not over yet, you’ve just switched battlegrounds! Freshman year of college is very much like freshman year of High School, yet, it’s not because it’s very much like the real world. Your first year of college, will most likely feel like an emotional roller coaster. Unless you already have exposure to the college setting, you may feel like you’ve entered another country and everyone expects you to know what is going on… at all times. In my first semester of college, I went back to my high school (after the first month) to find my favorite chemistry teacher, so I could complain and seek his sympathy for my unexpected “struggles”. But looking back, I realized that I might have overreacted just a little. College is challenging, but that is our call to rise to the challenge and transition into the real world. As a student who survived freshman year of college, I would like to offer some advice and tips that I’ve learned along the way! Here are some of the most essential things I thought would be helpful to you:

*Deadlines!

First things first, know when everything is due! It will benefit you well if you invest in a planner of some sort. In high school, you were probably given a planner to help you stay organized, but in college, the responsibility falls on you to find your own way to stay on top of things. Of course, not all students like the idea of carrying around a planner, but fortunately this is the 21st century and you probably have some type of technological device or access to one. Therefore, using apps like myHomework Student Planner, Pocket Schedule, iStudiez pro or even Google Calendar will keep you ahead of the game.

*Don’t skip class!

Unless you know all the material for the class you plan to skip, you should never be skipping a class. Let’s face it, you are the one paying your college tuition. Don’t waste your money by not going to class. You have the opportunity to ask questions about things that you don’t understand (as opposed to searching Google all day and night for the answer to that one question that no one’s ever done before). With all seriousness, you will genuinely learn more by going to class than you would by teaching yourself the topic. If anything, you just might learn something you never knew before. Also, most professors like to see that their students are taking the interest to come to class and prepared to learn. Your professors are being paid to answer your questions and help you get a good grade in class, but that can’t happen without you!

*Rent textbooks!

If renting textbooks didn’t make it to the top 5 must do’s, then we would have a serious problem (and it would be absolutely acceptable for you to question my survival skills) but not to fear, it’s my survival skills are on point! About 70 percent of undergraduates are able work while attending college¹, full-time and part-time. However, factors like buying food, paying for gas (not to mention random car problems) or even going out with friends can really add up. In addition, the other 30 percent of unemployed undergraduates will find it difficult to foot the bill for textbooks without depending on their parents for help. Renting textbooks is an amazing way to save money and spend efficiently. Companies like Amazon and Cheggs make it possible for students to have quick and easy access to rented material. Amazon even offers a student membership, which is actually half the price of the regular membership, free two day shipping. Best of all, they will ship the book back for free at the end of the semester. If you really can’t afford any of these options, find out if your school or local library have the textbook(s) you need. Most schools will have the textbook that your course requires on reserve, where you can borrow the book for a few hours. This is an excellent opportunity for you to photocopy those pages or chapters and print them for class.

*Don’t fall behind in class!

Falling behind is a course, especially a really tough class, will feel like swimming in the ocean…except, you don’t know how to swim. I will admit, some classes have a steady pace and will feel like you’re running a marathon. However, some classes cover a lot of material in a short period of time and if you don’t study the material ahead of time or keep up as the topics are being taught to you, you’ll find yourself trying to learn a whole bunch of material a day before the exam. Practice going over the material that was taught in class before the next session, because material usually builds from previous materials.

*Make new friends!

Last but certainly not least, get involved in activities going on around campus. Join a club that interests you. This is a great way to make new friends and gain more experience. Get to know your roommate(s) if you have any, because at the end of the day, that is the person you’re sharing a room with and getting to know what that person likes and dislikes is certainly a step in the right direction towards friendship.

 

*Honorable mentions:

• Avoid 8 AM classes, unless you’re a morning person or you have quick access to coffee and you are going in the opposite direction of traffic.

• If you are dorming, midnight is the best time to do laundry.

• Be prepared to skip sleep during finals week! I meant final’s week. You’ll soon learn how to take naps in between final and studying. So you might not actually get to sleeping until finals are finished.

• Avoid online classes during your first semester. They’re like black ice on the road…from a distance it looks safe and manageable, but venture any further and it could be the end…end of your 4.0 GPA. Online classes can be a lot of work, so don’t sign up for a class that you are not ready to commit to.

• Be punctual to class. Let’s be honest, it’s rude to walk into class late.

• Make sure you know the syllabus. Just like how you are advised to know the law, it would be wise, very wise to know what is required of you; how much your exams are worth, extra credits, deadlines for assignments, your professor’s office hours and any special pet peeve your professor might have.

• Get to know your professors. Networking is a great way to connect with the world outside of classes. Some professors can help get you into a certain job, internship or research. Keep in mind that some graduate schools (and most definitely for medical school) might require that you have two letters of recommendation, written by your professors. Aside from all the benefits you will get, professors are humans and some are actually really amazing people. So, you might even gain a friend as well.

• Study in groups. Group study can be fun and some people actually learn a lot more when studying with others.

• Use the tutoring center! They are there to help you ace your classes. Don’t be afraid or intimidated to go the tutors for help. You’ll thank yourself later.

• Pamper yourself after exams. Don’t forget to have fun and find time for yourself.

• Learn from upperclassmen. Remember that they have probably gone through experiences similar to yours and they’ll most likely have a myriad of insight that could help you on your journey through college.

• Keep in touch with your advisor…every semester!

• With that last tip – a word of caution – know when and where to party and know your limits. Don’t attend that party when you have an 8 AM exam the next morning, even if you tell yourself you’ll leave by 11 PM…let’s face it, you and I both know that it’s not going to happen!

There you have it! The ultimate freshman survival guide. Stick to these advices and words of caution and you’ll survive freshman year like a pro. I hope these methods work for you as it did for me. Have a great college experience!

^{1 Davis, Jessica. “School Enrollment and Work Status: 2011.” US Census Bureau. N.p., 01 Oct. 2012. Web. 06 Oct. 2016.}