20 Pieces of Advice to Incoming College Freshman

By: Sara Kinsey

1.     When it comes to class it is essential that you attend EVERY class, especially if you attend a small school. If you skip a class you may miss out on important information or an assignment!

2.     Ask questions, participate, and show you’re interested in the class (even if you’re not). Your Professor will notice and it could possibly help you in the end. Also, don’t be afraid to email your Professors or meet with them during office hours.

3.     STAY ORGANIZED! Write everything down and keep on top of deadlines. I find using planners, calendars, and sticky notes incredibility helpful. I like to make weekly and daily schedules/to do lists. This makes the work seem less overwhelming. Also, it motivates me to complete a certain number of tasks in one day. If you do make a daily to do list, stick to it! You’re paying to learn not to have fun, so get your work done for the day before you go out and do things with your friends. It will pay off in the end.

4.     Complete an assignment as soon as you are assigned it. If you don’t your work will just pile up and it will become hard to manage it all. Many times Professors assign random assignments and expect it to be turned in the next class period. Therefore, if you didn’t complete the work you already knew about now you’ll have double the work to complete in just a short period of time. Also, your work will be higher quality if you start it in advance and take advantage of the time given to complete it.

5.     Take advantage of the resources your school offers. If your school has a Proof-reading Center bring your papers there. If you are falling behind in a class because you don’t understand the material, get a tutor. If you are having trouble concentrating, get a study room. There are many resources available at each school that most people are unaware of, so ask questions and discover what your school has to offer.

6.     Be friendly, open-minded, and willing to meet new people. If you’re living on campus, the people you meet the first week of school are most likely the people you will find yourself hanging out with (at least for the first semester). Introduce yourself to new people no matter how shy you are. Sit with random people in the dining hall the first week of school and attend freshman events. Introduce yourself to the people on your floor and remain friendly by saying hi to them when you see them. Become friends with people who seem “different” than you and don’t be quick to judge.

7.     College is a fresh start. No one knows anything about you. Discover who you are as a person, put yourself out there, and just be yourself. Step out of your comfort zone and forget about the past. Be confident in all that you do and be proud of the person you have become.

8.     Keep in touch with people from home, but don’t let that stop you from meeting the wonderful people at your new school. Don’t compare your home friends to your new friends. Don’t focus on the past and embrace change; it’s just all part of life.

9.     Keep something on your desk or on the wall next to your desk that will keep you motivated, but don’t make your desk cluttered because you’ll want as much room as you can to spread out your work when completing an assignment. On my desk I have a picture from the PDP retreat in a frame with I can, I will, I must written on it. I also attached a sticky note with my future goals to it. Whenever I feel like giving up I just remember that I can, I will, I must achieve my goals and it helps me stay motivated. On the wall next to my desk, I have a few pictures and tons of motivational quotes.

10.   Take advantage of the events your school has and the trips available for you to go on. My school goes to see a few Broadway shows each semester. It only costs $25 including the bus there and back so my friends and I like to take advantage of that. You should look into what your school offers!

11.  Prepare to walk to class in all kinds of crazy weather – blizzards, hurricanes, rain, etc. I know my school never cancels class ever. We didn’t even cancel during Sandy. I thought I was going to get blown into the Hudson on my walk to class.

12.  If you don’t have class until later in the day, don’t sleep all morning. Wake up early and get your work done. The more work you get done in the morning, the more time you’ll have to socialize at night.

13.  Do only what you’re comfortable doing. Don’t let others pressure you into doing something you don’t want to do.

14.  Continuously save your work and back it all up. You never know when something is going to happen.

15.  Find out what studying methods work best for you (rewrite notes, make flashcards, teach someone else the information, etc.). Also, find out what studying location is best for you (your room, the lounge, the library, etc.).

16.  Find out what helps you to de-stress and take time for yourself once and a while.

17.  Take responsibility for everything you do.

18.  Strive to be the best “you” that you can be. Try hard, push yourself, and don’t give up.

19.   Establish goals and strive to complete them. Take classes that will help you in the long run and that relate to your major. If you don’t have a major, take the classes everyone needs in order to graduate. You don’t want to waste time and money taking electives that are not going to help you in the end.

20.  Make memories and have fun, but also make smart decisions.