Sometimes it's better to learn from the mistakes of others instead of making your own - I wish I knew these things before I went to COLLEGE.
Dear College Freshman,
RELAX! There is no law that says life must be completely figured out by 18. High school is over, and college is a whole new ball game. It is scary at first, but it will be your second home in no time. College is the place that you will find some lifelong friendships and find out who you truly are. It’s the first time you'll feel truly independent by staying on campus. Coming to the realization that High school is over is so scary but just know that you can get through it. At first, it is going to feel overwhelming because everything is new, the people, the class schedules, the fashion and the college lingo. Yep! I've been there and it is so weird at first. You are not going to be a freshman forever. After the first month or so you will know the college campus like the back of your hand.
Love,
Former College Student
1. BE YOURSELF
College is going to feel like FREEDOM!!!! Freshman year everyone is a bit awkward and scared. They're trying to figure this college thing out just like you. Take your time see where you belong. Don't lose who you are by just following the flock. Be who you want to be not what others think you should be. When they are having events on campus, I challenge you to try new things even if your friends don't want to, You GO and see what happens. Doing these things will also help you make some new friends who are interested in things you are interested in.
2. Your studies and your degree are #1
Your studies and your degree are number one and everything else such as the partying, your friends, your social life, your love life, your social media, the shows you watch on tv are secondary. Just know that you are in school to get a degree and you are paying thousands of dollars to sit in that seat. Not everyone gets that chance to go to college, you are unique and special. I challenge you to take each class seriously. Don't skip class for a boy or a girl! Set your priorities in order so you can have a social life and have time to study. I did it. Now I have a Bachelors of Arts and a Master’s Degree and you can do the same.
3. DON’T Buy Books Right Away
Attend the classes for the first week of college and then see if you really need the books. The professor will tell you after the first class if ALL the books on the syllabus are necessary. You don’t want to buy all the books on the list and find out that you only need one of the ten books. I wasted a lot of money doing this my first two semesters at college by buying books I didn’t need. In some classes, I never touched my textbook because the professor did all his work from a PowerPoint or it was all posted online. If you do have to purchase book(s) try to RENT it or buy it USED online because it is cheaper. College books are ridiculously overpriced, you will find that out so fast. When the semester is over try to sell your books online to get a profit.
4. MAKE CONNECTIONS/NETWORK
In college, you have the rare opportunity to be with individuals in multiple fields at one time. This rarely happens after college graduation. Whether you become close friends or not it is good to make GREAT connections. As a graduate, I now have friends “associates” that I can contact that can help me in my entrepreneur plans mainly because I was able to make good connections. Finding a job after college is difficult but if you become close to your professors and advisers they can guide you. These individuals can give you recommendations letters, internships and even put in a good word for you at some companies. NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK
5. TRAVEL>>>>>TRAVEL>>>>>TRAVEL
You should use this time to travel because you have extended summer, spring and winter vacations. When you begin a full-time job, you will only be allowed either one or two weeks for the entire year and that's if you are lucky. Those extended vacation days are over when you graduate college. As a freshman, you may think that time is moving slow, but college goes by so quickly. Plan a trip out of the country, in a new city, on an island somewhere, just go somewhere. These will be the memories that you will cherish forever, GIRLS TRIP or a BROS TRIP whichever you prefer. Save YOUR coins and JUST DO IT.
6. Learn to say NO!!!
Everyone is going to invite you to so many things especially the upperclassmen. The freshman is always the life of the party. If you are not interested in the invite learn just say NO!!! that is a complete sentence. You are going to be introduced to so many new things that you have not seen before in High School, trust me these college students know how to party. I'd recommend you go with someone you trust especially if it is a dorm room party, sorority/fraternity party, or a club that involves alcohol. People get stupid with alcohol in their system trust me, I have seen and heard some crazy stories. You are NOT going to be lame by saying NO!!!! but SAFE and SECURE.
7. REMEMBER TO SLEEP
At times your studies are going to make you feel a bit
overwhelmed but take time out for yourself to recharge. It is going to be very difficult especially during midterms and final weeks. Try not to wait until the last minute to do your assignments. JUST REMEMBER TO SLEEP A FEW HOURS. When these times came I never did all-nighter because I would not have been able to function. I'd recommend making a bedtime of 1AM or 2AM so at least you can survive off a few hours of sleep with Coffee Of Course. Then whatever you didn’t finish that night you can get up early in the morning and finish. I never was a coffee drinker until college because during those time of extreme exhaustion. You will get there soon enough. I miss those days, saying that sounds kind of weird.
8. HAVE FUN
Have fun and don’t take life to seriously because you only have one life to live. NO regrets, if you try something and fail move on to something new. This is the time to step outside of your comfort zone. Challenge yourself to do something new. Use this time for self-discovery and meeting new people.
Sometimes it's better to learn from the mistakes of others instead of making your own - I wish I knew these things before I went to COLLEGE.
Dear College Freshman,
RELAX! There is no law that says life must be completely figured out by 18. High school is over, and college is a whole new ball game. It is scary at first, but it will be your second home in no time. College is the place that you will find some lifelong friendships and find out who you truly are. It’s the first time you'll feel truly independent by staying on campus. Coming to the realization that High school is over is so scary but just know that you can get through it. At first, it is going to feel overwhelming because everything is new, the people, the class schedules, the fashion and the college lingo. Yep! I've been there and it is so weird at first. You are not going to be a freshman forever. After the first month or so you will know the college campus like the back of your hand.
Love,
Former College Student
1. BE YOURSELF
College is going to feel like FREEDOM!!!! Freshman year everyone is a bit awkward and scared. They're trying to figure this college thing out just like you. Take your time see where you belong. Don't lose who you are by just following the flock. Be who you want to be not what others think you should be. When they are having events on campus, I challenge you to try new things even if your friends don't want to, You GO and see what happens. Doing these things will also help you make some new friends who are interested in things you are interested in.
2. Your studies and your degree are #1
Your studies and your degree are number one and everything else such as the partying, your friends, your social life, your love life, your social media, the shows you watch on tv are secondary. Just know that you are in school to get a degree and you are paying thousands of dollars to sit in that seat. Not everyone gets that chance to go to college, you are unique and special. I challenge you to take each class seriously. Don't skip class for a boy or a girl! Set your priorities in order so you can have a social life and have time to study. I did it. Now I have a Bachelors of Arts and a Master’s Degree and you can do the same.
3. DON’T Buy Books Right Away
Attend the classes for the first week of college and then see if you really need the books. The professor will tell you after the first class if ALL the books on the syllabus are necessary. You don’t want to buy all the books on the list and find out that you only need one of the ten books. I wasted a lot of money doing this my first two semesters at college by buying books I didn’t need. In some classes, I never touched my textbook because the professor did all his work from a PowerPoint or it was all posted online. If you do have to purchase book(s) try to RENT it or buy it USED online because it is cheaper. College books are ridiculously overpriced, you will find that out so fast. When the semester is over try to sell your books online to get a profit.
4. MAKE CONNECTIONS/NETWORK
In college, you have the rare opportunity to be with individuals in multiple fields at one time. This rarely happens after college graduation. Whether you become close friends or not it is good to make GREAT connections. As a graduate, I now have friends “associates” that I can contact that can help me in my entrepreneur plans mainly because I was able to make good connections. Finding a job after college is difficult but if you become close to your professors and advisers they can guide you. These individuals can give you recommendations letters, internships and even put in a good word for you at some companies. NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK
5. TRAVEL>>>>>TRAVEL>>>>>TRAVEL
You should use this time to travel because you have extended summer, spring and winter vacations. When you begin a full-time job, you will only be allowed either one or two weeks for the entire year and that's if you are lucky. Those extended vacation days are over when you graduate college. As a freshman, you may think that time is moving slow, but college goes by so quickly. Plan a trip out of the country, in a new city, on an island somewhere, just go somewhere. These will be the memories that you will cherish forever, GIRLS TRIP or a BROS TRIP whichever you prefer. Save YOUR coins and JUST DO IT.
6. Learn to say NO!!!
Everyone is going to invite you to so many things especially the upperclassmen. The freshman is always the life of the party. If you are not interested in the invite learn just say NO!!! that is a complete sentence. You are going to be introduced to so many new things that you have not seen before in High School, trust me these college students know how to party. I'd recommend you go with someone you trust especially if it is a dorm room party, sorority/fraternity party, or a club that involves alcohol. People get stupid with alcohol in their system trust me, I have seen and heard some crazy stories. You are NOT going to be lame by saying NO!!!! but SAFE and SECURE.
7. REMEMBER TO SLEEP
At times your studies are going to make you feel a bit
overwhelmed but take time out for yourself to recharge. It is going to be very difficult especially during midterms and final weeks. Try not to wait until the last minute to do your assignments. JUST REMEMBER TO SLEEP A FEW HOURS. When these times came I never did all-nighter because I would not have been able to function. I'd recommend making a bedtime of 1AM or 2AM so at least you can survive off a few hours of sleep with Coffee Of Course. Then whatever you didn’t finish that night you can get up early in the morning and finish. I never was a coffee drinker until college because during those time of extreme exhaustion. You will get there soon enough. I miss those days, saying that sounds kind of weird.
8. HAVE FUN
Have fun and don’t take life to seriously because you only have one life to live. NO regrets, if you try something and fail move on to something new. This is the time to step outside of your comfort zone. Challenge yourself to do something new. Use this time for self-discovery and meeting new people.
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