5 Things Every College Freshman Needs to Know
(or, What I Wish I’d Known)
As old as this makes me sound, I was headed off for my first year of college eight years ago. And though it’s been almost a decade since I applied, was accepted and packed up for my freshman year, I remember it well. For most of us, it’s an exciting time, a scary time, a time when the future is filled with possibilities.
I’ve been thinking about it, knowing what I know now, six years of college and two years of full-time work experience later, and here’s what I think college freshmen need to know. Other veterans, tell me if you agree:
1. It’s OK to be nervous.
Everyone who’s honest, or at least 99% of everyone, feels nervous when they go off to college for the first time. No matter what your background or where you’re from or where you’ve been living, if you’ve never left home or if you’ve moved every year since kindergarten, it’s still scary to start fresh. As exciting as college freedom is, it’s still new and unknown. Tell yourself now: it’s OK to be nervous. Everyone feels this way, and the people who seem old pros (those upperclassmen) were where you were practically yesterday.
2. Less is more.
I’ve been seeing the advertisements for weeks (months?) now: buy a fancy rug! a new lamp! these crazy cool storage systems! And they all need to be color-coordinated, of course, since that’s what will ensure a good year. OK, between us, this whole buy-stuff-for-college thing is just about the retail industry. You don’t need half the stuff. Bring less than you think you need. If you forget something or need something later, you can get it at Wal-Mart. There is no point in maxing out your spending on dorm supplies. You won’t spend all your time in your dorm anyway, right?
3. Have fun, but study!
My dad was the best for advice when I called about some relationship drama or perceived crisis. “You’re there to get an education,” he’d say, dismissing whatever issue and asking me about my classes. While I didn’t always agree at the time, he was right, by and large. Your main objective is to get the degree. The other stuff is bonus–still important, still valuable, but not the primary reason you go to college.
4. College is expensive.
You know this already. So if there’s anything–anything!–you can do to reduce your tuition costs, your room & board, your other fees, do it. From part-time jobs to scholarships to internships to roommates to whatever you can think of. Less cost now means less to pay off later.
5. Enjoy the ride.
I don’t care if this seems to contradict another point(s). College, for all its stress and pressure and hype, will be over before you know it, sending you into the work world that you’re trying to excel in. So enjoy it. Use it to learn–not just book-wise, but skills and connections and experiences. Pursue your interests, find out what they are, realize this is a temporary period of your life.
The good news is, at the end of four (or five or six or whatever) years, you’ll walk on a stage, diploma in hand, family crying in bleachers watching, and you’ll see the fruit of your hard work, by way of an updated resume and an expanded knowledge base and skill set. Education is a privilege. Make the most of it.
image: Avolore
Filed under College Money Network, school |
7 Responses to “5 Things Every College Freshman Needs to Know”
Leave a Reply
In terms of saving money, if you can’t afford it don’t buy it (Don’t use a credit card!).
Otherwise, be open to forming new friendships. If you are going to school with people you already know, don’t be afraid to branch out. You will be sorry if you don’t.
Great tips. I especially appreciate “Bring less than you think”, I brought WAY too much stuff freshman year and ended up bringing half of it home by Christmas, and half of that again by Spring break.
My brother is starting college this year, and I see my mom buying him all the same stuff I didn’t need. I keep trying to tell her to cut back, but it’s not working. ::sigh::
Instead of buying things before you get there, wait until you have met your new room/housemates. Then you can see what you need to set up house properly, because they’ll already have some stuff with them. Then go and buy that; makes more sense that winding up with two toasters, two kettles and no cutlery or iron.
Also, expect it to be completely overwhelming for the first few weeks! It’s going to be unlike anything you’ve ever known before, and will take time to settle in. But you’ll look back on it as one of the best and most carefree times of your life… wistful sigh…
[...] Treehouse wants to help with Maximizing Your Financial AidThis Writer’s Wallet offers up 5 Things Every College Freshman Needs to KnowSpilling Buckets tells you How To Save a Bunch of Money Buying College Textbooksand here at Poorer [...]
[...] Treehouse wants to help with Maximizing Your Financial AidThis Writer’s Wallet offers up 5 Things Every College Freshman Needs to KnowSpilling Buckets tells you How To Save a Bunch of Money Buying College Textbooksand here at Poorer [...]
[...] 5 Things Every College Freshman Needs to Know at This Writer’s Wallet [...]
[...] 5 Things Every College Freshman Needs To Know at This Writer’s Wallet [...]