How to Survive your Freshman Year of College

First of all, I'd like to say that I am qualified to write this because I have in fact survived my freshman year of college. There is a spectrum of success in college that ranges from thriving to dropping out, and I'd like to say I live somewhere in the middle of that line (although dropping out gets more and more tempting with every test or paper).

Anyway, here's basically a list of my most important takeaways from freshman year.

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1. Say yes a lot, but don't be afraid to say no

No, this section is not about dating. It's about events. Sorry to disappoint.

For the first few weeks of the semester there are so many events for freshman that you would need a time turner to get to them all. These range from free movie nights, sports tournaments, club fairs, and more. Oh, and as a bonus they almost all have free food (which you should eat to put off going to the dining hall as long as possible). These events can be fun, awkward, or both, but they're great because they're filled with other freshman who want to make friends as badly as you do. However, you can't go to them all, so you need to prioritize. The first few weeks of college are full of lots of different transitions, as you get used to classes, independence, and a new housing situation. It's important to go to events and meet new people, but it's also important to know that you don't have to go to every event to make friends. Sometimes it's better to stay home and relax, order textbooks, get to know your suitemates, or just watch some tv.

2. Don't be afraid to drop a class

Seriously, please don't. It's super normal and honestly kinda smart to sign up for one more class than you need, then pick one to drop after the first day of class. This way you don't underload but you also don't get stuck with a gened class that will tank your gpa. If you don't need the class and it's going to harm either your gpa or your ability to focus on major classes, just drop it. Unless it's like, the last week of the semester. Probably better to just wait it out at that point.

3. GO TO SPORTS GAMES

I cannot emphasize this enough. If you go to a school with any kind of sports team, go to games. It helps build school spirit, it allows you to connect with other students, and it's free, which is a super good deal because sports tickets can be $$$. So, go to the games of the sport you most enjoy, go to the games your school excels at, and go to some random ones just to support the players. Every once in a while, get to a game early and be on the front row/risers/etc. Even if you don't like sports, going to games can be a super fun way to hang out with friends and really get into school spirit. Especially when you go to the University of National Champions. Go heels!

4. Choose your major wisely

Now, I'm sure you've been asked about your major a million times now, but that doesn't make it any less important. If you get admitted as a geology major, but fail the first exam, it may be time to change your major (it's probably a good idea to change your major anyway, because geology SUCKS). If you are a history major but hope to get a job in cybersecurity after graduation, you may want to consider changing your major to compsci. What's ultimately most important is that you can a. succeed in the major, and b. that it will prepare you well for whatever graduate school you attend/job you plan on doing after graduating.

5. Find an extracurricular you enjoy

Though some professors may not believe it, a college student's life doesn't (and shouldn't) revolve exclusively around school. So find at least one thing you like to do for fun (that isn't Netflix) that you can do with other people. This could be an official club, a campus ministry, or just a group of people you regularly play video games/go to the gym/whatever with. Social interaction is important, even for you, introverts.

LiGhTnInG rOuNd

6. eat real meals, sleep, and take study breaks

7. take a class with a friend

8. try out a fun gym class

9. go out to eat with friends (I personally recommend Cookout and Bojangles for atmosphere alone)

10. call your mom, visit your family, don't be afraid to be homesick

11. don't be afraid of failure, college is harder than high school

that being said--

12. take your classes seriously. you (or someone else) is paying for you you to be here

13. find a new tv show and binge it with your friends

14. be a good roommate, suitemate, and housemate

15. experience what it is to be simultaneously in the hardest and most wonderful time of your life. You'll have deeper and better friendships than you can ever imagine, and harder and worse classes than you were expecting. But it doesn't last long, so enjoy it.

And you should take my advice, because I'm a ~successful college student who hasn't dropped out

... yet.