When I was entering my freshman year of college, I was extremely nervous and anxious, especially since this would be my first time being on my own. College is a thrilling time and all these possibilities were spinning through my head- what will my day to day be like? How will I make friends? What should I bring with me and what should I keep at home? I understand the magnitude of questions that can go through someone’s head when just entering college, so I want to offer a guide I wish I knew about for anyone going down this journey.

1. Get involved quickly:

Something I wish I did faster was to put myself out there. Join student organizations and extracurriculars. These spaces are great if you are trying to meet people and make friends, and it is also an amazing resume builder. Also, it is completely normal to feel intimidated when considering what activities to join, especially when you don’t know anyone there. But that’s the point - to make connections with others who have similar interests as you. Student organizations are generally very warm and welcoming to new students and showing your interest can be a great place to make meaningful connections!

2. It’s normal to be homesick:

Being away from home for the first time on your own, no matter the distance, can be tough and might be one of the biggest adjustments in the whole college process. Videocall your family as often as you can, and plan out visits to see them when your schedule permits and your workload is minimal. Staying connected is very important to keeping your support system throughout this experience.

3. Learning when to say ‘yes’ and when to say ‘no’:

Your friends will want to do things with you when you know you have a lot of work to get done or have a hectic day. Start by assessing what your priorities and goals are, and then figure out how this might impact you in your personal and academic life. This is the time you are young and figuring yourself out, so find what works best for you and which opportunities you don’t want to miss out on.

4. Get organized:

Academic, personal, and professional life can become chaotic if you don’t set a general to-do list for yourself. Try setting aside certain calendar apps or writing down in a physical planner the tasks and events in all areas of your life. Stay on top of updating that system as often as you can and take one thing at a time. (I personally use Notion and Google Calendar to organize.)

5. Take care of yourself!

Sleep, eat, stay hydrated, and get in some physical activity. Taking care of both your physical and mental health in college is essential if you want to succeed. Practicing selfcare will not only make you feel awesome and less stressed, but also is a great way to connect with yourself. Take time to listen and follow what your body wants.

I hope that some of these tips were helpful, and I hope your college experience is everything you want it to be. Best of luck to you!

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