It’s been 10 years since I was a freshman in college… Where has the time gone? There is so much 18-year-old me didn’t know at the time and now that I’m older, there are quite a few things that I have learned along the way that I wish I knew back then. If you are an upcoming freshmen or already in college I hope you find the tips that I share helpful for you in your journey!
1. Join an organization and get connected with your campus! When I was a freshman, I was anxious about the new experience. I didn’t know how I was going to meet new people. As soon as I found my niche on campus, that’s when I found my forever friends! This worked to my advantage because I gained interpersonal skills I still use today, socially and professionally.
2. Connect with your roommate the summer before you start if you are able to! I think this is key because you are able to break the ice before move in day and get to know each other a little bit before moving in together and it’s definitely a tip you may be able to put to use post-college when it comes to roommates.
3. Be patient with yourself. You may not be certain with your major or know what kind of career you want, that’s okay. Talk to your career advisor on campus and see how they can help you figure things out. Sometimes taking different classes or having hands on experiences in the field brings clarity. This also applies post-college!
4. Save your money! Listen, I know that feeling of wanting to get off campus, do something different, go somewhere new, eat fast food, get your nails done, get hair done, or buy clothes…Pump the brakes! Save that money as much as you can, because it’s important to learn to save and allocate funds as early as possible. Some use a method of saving a percentage of their income, where it be part-time or full-time employment, grants or refund checks of sorts, but I recommend finding the method that works best for you. You never know what may come up in life and when you’ll need backup funds!
5. Lastly, learn how to style your own hair or find a friend on campus that is skilled in that area. Every campus has someone that loves styling hair. Find them and get your hair done for the low or start watching some Youtube videos so you can save those coins!
College is fun-filled, but it’s also an opportunity to educate yourself outside of academics, so life in the real world doesn’t seem so scary after you complete it. If you adhere to these tips and keep your future in mind, you’re sure to be a success!
College grads! Sound off in the comments on some tips you would’ve given your younger self or current college students!
