I cannot believe that in one week, I will be packing up the car, and leaving school for summer break! Freshman year has flown by SO fast and truthfully, it's been an absolutely FANTASTIC year! I have grown so much and it seemed as if every day, I learned something new that will help me in the future. I remember last year around this time, was a very scary period for me because the thought of starting college was so intimidating. For those who are going to start college next Fall, I am so excited for you! And I thought sharing some of my tips and advice might help ease the anxiety and worries.
First off, I know this is really cliche and you probably hear this from any adult, but your college experience depends on how much you invest into it. You get out of college what you put into it. That being said, GET INVOLVED ON CAMPUS! There are so many cool clubs, and organizations, and there's something for everyone. Most schools usually have a clubs/activities fair during the first week of school. Go the fair and meet new people. Put yourself out there, and don't be scared or intimidated. You are special and people want to get to know you. You are guaranteed to find something that interests you, if you brave the crowds and potential awkwardness.
If you live on campus, keep the door to your dorm room open when you're inside. This is especially helpful during the first few weeks of school, when everyone is trying to meet their floor mates and build friendships. An open door signals that you want to meet new people instead of being clingy to old friends. If you do not outwardly show people that you are open to conversations and interactions, they probably won't want to try to build a relationship with you. Meet as many people as you can, even if you go to a large school. Some of my best friends that I've made during my freshman year, was during the first week of school and we all walked into each other's rooms and just started talking.
Have a specific game plan for studying and staying on top of homework. During the first day of classes, professors give you a syllabus for their class. In high school, I usually tossed them aside. But they are your life-line for classes. Professors do not typically remind you when a big paper or project is due. They just tell you to refer to the syllabus for deadlines and important dates. When I get a syllabus, I find it helpful to grab a highlighter and highlight all the important dates. Then I grab my agenda and write down when each assignment is due. I also find color-coding my classes helpful and my desk stays tidy. Organization is key in college, and high school doesn't always emphasize this skill. Keep a file folder handy, and makes sure to keep everything until you are absolutely positive that you no longer need it.
Get to know your professors. They will tell you when they have office hours. Use this to your advantage. You are going to struggle in some classes. That's just part of the college package. Instead of freaking out, be brave and visit your professor outside of class. This shows them that you care about their class, and want to take responsibility in your education. They will see that you are trying and doing your best, and may be able to really help you out. Even if you're not struggling in a class, go talk with your professors and get to know them. My creative writing professor and I are pretty close because we've met outside of class and talked about school and my goals. Not all professors are scary and unapproachable. Office hours are a beautiful thing.
Budget wise, do NOT buy books from your college's bookstore. Bookstores are experts on putting ridiculous price tags on relatively inexpensive supplies. Do your research carefully when it comes to purchasing class supplies. Slugbooks.com is a wonderful resource for saving money on textbooks. You don't buy your actual textbooks from this site, but it compares prices and finds the cheapest seller/vendor. Also, buy and sell your books to and from other students. I only paid $15 altogether for my literature class, which required four books since another student was selling their books. The bookstore would have been at least $40.
Those are my key tips for now. Enjoy the festivities of your final high school experiences. Don't be afraid of next Fall. If you put a little preparation in, college is a blast. You will be pushed to grow and learn, but also meet incredible people, experience fun and new things, and learn how to be an independent adult. It's up to you to make the most out of your college experience and explore new boundaries.
Love and peace,
Chloe
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