Freshman year is a time when you’ll grow more than you ever have in your life, both as a student and as a person. Your first year in college sets the tone for the rest of your college career, so it is important to make sure you get off to a healthy start.
These are the best tips I can give for you to accomplish that…
1. Start to learn how to live independently
One of the hardest adjustments for most students in their first year away at college is living on their own. For a lot of students, it’s their first time being away from home for such an extended period of time.
Personally, college was the first time that I had been away from home for more than a week. The transition was pretty tough at first, in all honesty, but I was able to become acclimated to my new surroundings. It’s definitely a change when you’re, now, solely responsible for managing your time, doing your laundry, going to class, completing assignments, etc.
It can be daunting, at times, but the important thing to remember is you’re not the only one going through it. Finding friends early on is definitely important in making Bloomsburg or any other school feel like home.
2. Practice good study habits
If you’re anything like me, you maybe didn’t learn how to apply yourself efficiently in high school. That is something that will have to change in college.
Assignments, papers, and exams can pile up in college if you’re not diligent about your time management and studying. You won’t be the best at it starting off, most likely, but it is something you need to continue to work at if you want to make your time in school as stress-free as possible.
3. Learn how to balance your school/social life
From what I’ve seen, this is where most people get into trouble when they start college.
It’s very easy to procrastinate school work and go out, but it will eventually catch up to you. You will have every opportunity to have all sorts of fun in during your four years at school, but schoolwork still must be the priority.
4. Make sure you are happy with your major
Odds are you’ll be taking mostly general education courses in your first two semesters. Even still, pay attention to your major classes early. Not just for grade purposes, but also to make sure you are at least somewhat passionate about your selected field of study.
Remember, this is what you’ll be dedicating your time to over the course of the next four-plus years. It’s better to find out early on whether or not you like your major, so you can adjust accordingly.
5. Form friendships with peers in your majors
In addition to making friends in general, it is also helpful to form relationships with people in your major. These are the people with whom you will be taking all of your major-specific classes with. Having friends in your classes can ensure that you know important deadlines for classes and have someone to study with.
Although it can be hard to branch out, it is crucial to your success while in school.
By: Ryan Thomas, B&L Resident Blogger
