A complete freshmen year survival guide
I would like to thank Becca from BasicallyBeccaSue for writing this amazing guest post that includes everything you could possibly need to know in order to survive thrive during the course of your freshmen year of college!
College is a time that so many of us have anticipated for a long time. We spent senior year planning for this moment: doing research, applying, waiting, getting accepted. The tedious process has come to an end and you’re now ready to take on this new adventure. That’s right, I’m talking to you, Freshmen. If you are anything like me (you probably are if you chose to read this post), you like to plan and you definitely like answers. Well look no further. I have created the complete college freshman survival guide!
DORM LIFE
Moving in. Move in is stressful, there’s no denying that. Be prepared for your room to look like a tornado hit. Set your room up in the layout you want before anything. Then start by unpacking the things you deem most important. Make your bed first so you have a place to sleep no matter what.
Keep your toiletries handy so you can take a nice shower after a long day of unpacking (and probably sweating). Don’t expect to be able to finish everything in a few hours. You are moving into a new home for the year, there will be a lot!
For a more detailed guide to move in day, check out this post: https://www.basicallybeccasue.com/freshman-move-day/
Roomates. Most schools let you pick your roommate. This can be a blessing and a curse. If you decide to go with picking your roommate instead of letting the school match you with someone, you need to have a few questions prepared to see if you’re compatible. A few examples might include:
- What is your sleep schedule like? Do you go to bed late or early?
- How clean do you typically keep your room?
- What is your preferred way to study? In the room? In the Library?
- How early do you get up?
You can find an entire questionnaire that I created here to help find the perfect match for a roommate: http://eepurl.com/dkqqHj
There is a common idea that you will automatically be best friends with your roommate. I’m here to tell you this is not always the case. Don’t feel pressured to be best friends right away or force a friendship that isn’t there. You will meet plenty of people the first week (even if you are an introvert like me) and at least one of them will be your friend☺
For a more complete guide on navigating the roommate situation, check out this post: https://www.basicallybeccasue.com/freshman-year-roommates/
Sleep. I know this sounds so elementary but believe me, you need it. The first few weeks will feel like one big sleepover and you’ll want to stay up and be a part of it. Staying up late might be all fun and games in the beginning but then it becomes a habit. Before you know it, you become nocturnal and you can’t make it to class the next day. You might have FOMO at first (I know I did) but you’ll feel so much better once you’ve gotten a few good nights worth of sleep.
I spent the first few months of my freshman year trying to stay up with my friends. We would stay up until at least two in the morning every single night. Finally, I decided to start going to bed at 11 and I felt so much better throughout the day. I was also able to take shorter/less naps which helped me be more productive!
Laundry. If your school dorms have laundry rooms available, you should 100% take advantage of them. If you decide to use the laundry room, you need to follow some etiquette. There are very few machines for the amount of people who need to do laundry. Set timers on your phone and be there when you load is ready to be switched over or is done. If you’re not, odds are someone will take it out for you and it could end up on the floor.
SOCIAL LIFE
Friends. School can be stressful. You might get busy with classes, work, studying, relationships, ect. Making time for friends is one of the best ways you can destress. Plus, college is for having fun and making memories (in addition to getting an education). Take some time each week to catch up with friends.
Clubs/organizations. One of the best things you can do for yourself is get involved right away. Especially if you are moving far away from home. Keeping busy will help you combat homesickness. Personally, moving 2,000 miles away from home was hard for me so I threw myself into clubs and organizations. I recommend joining 1-2 (maybe 3 if you don’t plan to work). Learn from my mistake and don’t overcommit yourself. Otherwise, you’ll be halfway through the semester and feel completely drained. Make sure you still have time to rest and study, but enjoy the activities you are involved in.
ACADEMIC LIFE
Class. I have heard so many people talk about how they never go to class and I’ve never understood it. You are paying to get an education, why would you not go to class? Even if you are in a huge lecture seminar, isn’t going to class better than having to teach yourself the material? At small schools, you most likely don’t have the option to miss unlimited amounts of classes. Save the skips for the times you really need to miss like a mental health day or physical sickness.
Use a planner. Okay so this one might only work for a few people, but I highly recommend it. You will be taking 3-4 (or more) classes and need a place to keep track of it. Professors aren’t going to constantly remind you of due dates like they did in high school. I would even suggest assigning a color to each class and using that color throughout the entire semester. To learn more about planning/types of planners, you can check out: HOW TO SUCCEED IN COLLEGE 101: USING A PLANNER
At the very beginning of the semester, use the syllabi and note any important dates like exams or projects in the monthly layout. Then note homework or reading assignments in the weekly sections as they come up.
Create a study plan. Learn when you are most productive and try to study during these times. I’m not going to sit here and tell you to begin studying weeks in advanced because let’s be real, you probably won’t (I definitely don’t). Sometimes a successful study plan is studying for 30 minutes between classes at the campus coffee shop. Just do what is best for you. It will take time and discipline.
Grades. I have always put a lot of pressure on myself to make good grades, but I’m here to tell you they aren’t everything. College is about learning and gaining insight. Often times we get so caught up in cramming for tests and memorizing trivial things for the grade, we don’t actually learn. Some of the classes that I did the worst in, I learned the most in. I’m not saying to not try at all because grades ARE important. I just don’t want you to get caught up in grades thinking your life is over if you do bad on one test or miss one assignment.
Finding Textbooks. They are expensive. Shop around for better deals than the bookstore offers. Check out sites like Amazon or Chegg for rental deals. If your school has a sale cycle page on Facebook, search that as well. Every college student understands the textbook struggle and should be more than willing to help others save money too. Consider trading books with classmates as well. If you have a book someone else needs and vice versa trade and don’t spend money at all!
HEALTH
Self Care. Like I said before, college is stressful. The worst thing you can do is not take care of yourself. Take some time at least once a week to practice self-care. This can look like buying yourself a coffee, reading a book you love, watching some Netfilix, or even doing some yoga. Whatever it is that you love to do and that makes you feel refreshed is what you should spend some time doing.
If you want some more information about how to practice self-care you can check out this post:https://www.basicallybeccasue.com/mental-health-college/
Or you can sign up for my free guide to learning self-care here: http://eepurl.com/c1rUfL
The Freshmen 15. Gaining weight is pretty much inevitable. Having an unlimited food supply from the cafeteria/meal plan make it easy to be snacking. Be mindful of the snacks you bring into your dorm room. Avoid ramen noodles and other processed goods if you can. I recommend having frozen fruit for smoothies in your freezer/mini fridge, protein bars, veggies, and other healthier options. Obviously, there will be sometimes when you need more meal-type foods for when you accidentally skip dinner. Late night snacking is a real issue so try to cut yourself off. For me, brushing my teeth early helps me avoid wanting to eat late. Finally, avoid eating out as much as possible. This will also save you money ☺
The Gym. It’s not realistic to expect to go to the gym everyday if you don’t already do so. Though I do think it is important to get active often, don’t set yourself up for failure. Some fun alternatives might include taking a dance class, kickboxing, hiking, or spin. Find something you enjoy and get active at least once a week. The gym can be a scary place for many people and can cause a lot of anxiety. Do whatever you enjoy and are comfortable with.
EXTRA ADVICE
You’re never too cool to call home.You wouldn’t be where you are today without your family. Let them know. If you find yourself thinking about someone, call them. If you miss your brother, text him. Odds are you will get homesick at some point. Don’t cut out the important people back home.
Step out of your comfort zone. Do at least one thing your freshman year that you probably wouldn’t have done before. Growing up is scary, but it’s also amazing. Treat college as a time to experiment and possibly make mistakes. Learn from those and become better from them. Who knows, maybe you’ll find a new love for something you never would have thought!
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Chances are you will need help with something. If you need someone to talk to, your RA is a good place to start. They will probably have the resources you need to get help. If you are feeling down, contact the counseling center. If you need help writing a paper, contact the tutor center. Don’t know what you want to do with your life? The career center has got you covered! Don’t be ashamed to need help.
Alright guys, I think that does it for this survival guide to freshman year. If I missed something or If you ever have any questions you can reach me at becca@basicallybeccasue.com . Never hesitate to reach out! College is such a great experience and I hope this guide has helped you feel more prepared than you did before.
I hope you guys all enjoyed Becca’s complete survival guide! I wish I had the chance to have all of these great tips before I moved in freshmen year! Have any more advice for freshmen year? Let’s hear it in the comments below 🙂
