samhgooch-blog

[samhgooch-blog]

Freshman Perspective #1: My Top Ten Essential Things to Know Going into the First Semester

Arguably, starting college can be the biggest transition for anyone in their life. It’s a time where you begin to figure out who you are, what you want, and how you want the next four years of your life to pan out. Sound terrifying yet? What about communal bathrooms, a shared room and no mom or dad to do the laundry? Yeah, don’t worry, I was scared too; Not so much in the sense where I kept myself up at night worrying about how I was going to survive but, terrified in the anxious way that had me packing, double-packing and triple checking the master list (thanks Bed Bath and Beyond) that I had snagged along my shopping adventures to make sure I wasn’t forgetting anything.

I have been very fortunate to attend a university as extremely invested in its students as it is, and I owe a lot of the credit to my school for truly making my transition as seamless as possible. However, there is still a lot that I have learned personally through my own transition to school that I think, going into the first few weeks of anyone’s freshman year, really helps to know! 

10. MEET AS MANY PEOPLE AS YOU CAN DURING ORIENTATION EVENTS! 

If your university is anything like mine, then your first week of school once you initially move in will be nothing but orientation event after orientation event. Personally, I LOVED attending the orientation events because they helped get my mind off of the whole “Oh my god, I’m at college, time to freak out” thought. They also were a GREAT way to meet people; Some of the individuals I had the pleasure of meeting during orientation week ended up in my classes, and ultimately also became some of my best friends throughout the semester! 

9. HAIR TIES ARE YOUR BEST FRIEND! 

Inevitably, you’re bound to want to go to a college party at some point or another. It’s part of the ~experiance~ but please, listen when I say that you do not want to bring your room key into a party on a cute bright pink lanyard. Just don’t do it. Instead, try fastening your room key(s) to a hair tie and wearing it on your wrist or tucking it into your pockets if you don’t want to sport the ~industrial~ style. It’ll be way more accessible and easier to keep an eye on without getting in your way all the time. 

8. GET A WORK STUDY!

Ok, let’s be real. The first or second week of school is probably not the best time to take on a work-study as you’re still going to be adjusting to the new environment and courses after moving in. However, give it about a month and then begin to check in with your campus career services, business offices, or financial aid about getting a work study. As many of my peers know, I am someone who has to have something to occupy my time or else I spiral into boredom unlike none other, ceased to be aided by Instagram and Pinterest.

Work studies are the perfect alternative to fix that as well as a great opportunity to do some things you might have never thought of. For instance, my work study has no correlation to what my major and potential career will be. However, the experience of doing something I would have never otherwise considered and getting to meet people I otherwise wouldn’t have known is pretty cool! 

Also, to my prospective freshman, you actually do get paid for work studies. 

7. UTILIZE YOUR PROFESSORS! THEY ARE THERE FOR YOU! 

The first semester will be rough. If you were a student who had to work hard in high school, you will have to work hard in college. If you were a student who did not have to work so hard in high school, you will still have to work hard in college. Everyone works hard because classes are simply harder. 

This was a concept I struggled the most with the first few weeks of school, as I walked out of high school mighty high riding the 4.0 GPA wave, only to then get crushed on my first exam. However, after emailing my professors and going to their office hours, I reaped the benefits more than I ever would have, had I not talked with them. 

Big school or small, your professors are your educators and want you to succeed! Don’t be afraid to reach out to them! 

6. KEEP IT GERM-FREE! 

I CANNOT STRESS THIS ENOUGH: GERMS ARE EVERYWHERE. If you think you will not get sick, think again. Carry hand sanitizer with you at all times, keep a bottle of Lysol in your room to spray things down every once in a while, and whatever you do, do not go into the communal bathrooms without shoes on. 

5. IT’S OK TO CRY! 

As the infamous Justin Timberlake quoted, “Cry me a River”. 

No seriously though, if we strung together all the breakdowns I’ve had since this semester started, it would be a very high and unsettling number. As I mentioned above, the first couple weeks are hard. It’s a lot of adjusting, a lot of figuring things out, and a lot of ~winging it~. You’re living with someone new, in a new environment, and learning how to do things on your own. It can get overwhelming; if you need to cry, then you freaking cry. There is NOTHING wrong with having a breakdown or 20. It shows you’re human, and that’s pretty amazing! 

If you find that things get too overwhelming, you can always look into the counseling services your school has to offer as well! It is always a great thing to have someone to talk to that isn’t in your immediate circle! 

4. TACO BELL RUNS ARE A GREAT WANT, NOT AN ESSENTIAL

Even if your campus dining sucks and going to Taco Bell or McDonalds or Wendy’s after-hours will fix your hunger, it does not fix your already broke wallet. Be smart with your money and try and budget the best you can while still having some spending money to go out with your girlfriends! 

3. STAY TRUE TO WHO YOU REALLY ARE. 

If you’re posting pictures on your Instagram that you wouldn’t be comfortable showing your parents or grandparents (in moderation) then maybe you shouldn’t be posting those pictures. A simple rule of thumb: try and be who you know you are. 

It’s college. It’s easy to get caught up in your newfound independence. You want to be the cool one at family reunions on the holidays. Trust me, I GET it. But also let's be real if being the cool one means sacrificing what makes you truly happy and begins to deter you away from who you are becoming, then take a moment to breathe! 

2. GET INVOLVED IF YOU CAN! 

Greek life! Honor societies! Service projects! Anything and everything! If you can do it, then do it! (It’s ok if you can’t either, somethings take time!). They are a great way to get involved with your university, meet new people, and get your mind off of all those daunting papers to write! 

1.  S T U D Y     A L O N E  ! 

A big move. As I go into 2019, with the new semester quickly approaching, it gives me a moment to reflect on my study habits of the previous semester and analyze them. Was I happy in how I ended my courses? What could I have better improved? What did I benefit from the most? 

There are some individuals who benefit from loud distracting environment whenever they study; And then there is me, who gets so distracted instead of writing a thousand-word essay for her composition class, she ends up watching vines and going to taco bell instead. Yeah, not a move. 0/10 do not recommend. 

To anyone who's like me, I suggest individual study in a quiet environment that you enjoy. You will be amazed at how well you do. 

So in conclusion, I hope there has been something in these that you have been able to take away. Just remember: you got this! 

If you have any additions or would like to give me your own tips on how you survive, feel free to message me! I’d love to hear your thoughts! 

Good luck! 

x