10 things to do in your first year of college
1. Wait to buy your books
This was my very first mistake… It started out when received my letter telling me what books I needed to buy for my courses. I went online and ordered them all right away. I spent almost $1,000 on books just to have my teachers tell me that we will not use it very much or at all.
Wait to buy your books and ask your teachers if and how much you will be using them to save yourself money and the hassle.
2. Identify early
Do you feel like you know the material, but somehow it is not being reflected in your grades? Do you have a hard time taking tests? Have you always struggled with school? It may not be your fault. Fanshawe will help you identify and get help for any learning disabilities that may be hindering your learning experience.
“I would have got treatment for my horrible, debilitating anxiety BEFORE I had a massive breakdown in my second year, which probably would have led to me going to way more class than I actually did,” said Reddit user, Hatcheck. “A lot of mental illnesses come on or amp up right around age 18, kids, and most colleges have free counseling.”
3. Fix your study habits
And quick I really mean it, because let’s be honest… high school was a bit of a joke, but it is not like that anymore. You need to start to take your learning seriously.
Another Reddit user mentioned something on the same thread that reminded me of how many students acted towards exams.
“My study habits were pretty shit, no way around it. I went to class but I never did homework until two weeks before exams, unless I had to hand it in. Around exam time, I would literally sacrifice certain classes to put in extra study time for the classes I was failing. So many classes I squeeked by in I could have easily gotten a B-. So many classes I should have gotten an A+ in, I ended up with a B+, because I half assed my exam study time to focus on something else,” said user BaconatedGrapefruit.
4. Ask for help
Sooner or later, I think all of us need help in one way or another. It was interesting for me entering college. In high school I rarely asked questions because I didn’t want to look stupid, but eventually it was like it didn’t matter to me anymore. I wanted to learn and the tables turned when I started to think that the people who DIDN’T ask questions were the stupid ones.
“I was having difficulty in a math class, but I never asked the teacher for help until it was too late,” said Delmer Esters, College Planning Specialist, in a recent blog post on educationquest.org.
“I got my first and only F of my college career … There is no shame in asking for help, and in the end you aren’t getting your money’s worth for your education if you don’t,” said Esters.
5. Exercise
In my first year I felt like as soon as I recuperated from the whole exam fiasco, it started all over again. My roommate and I had no time to peel potatoes and wash vegetables to make a healthy meal? Instead it was, McDonalds or Subway on our way home and that packed on the pounds quickly.
Establishing a solid exercise routine that I could have stuck with at the beginning of the year instead of trying to solve the problem half way through summer could have saved me 10 pounds.
6. Take it easy on parties
So you know how I just said that it felt like as soon as exams were done, more were right around the corner? Well remember this about partying. There will always be more, so taking a night off isn’t a big deal. The more you party, the more you’re going to end up stressing yourself out in the end because you’re wishing you had an extra night to finish an assignment.
Partying is actually one of great things about college obviously and I suggest it because you get to meet new people! Just make sure that you are prioritizing your time properly.
7. Make time for yourself
Always schedule in some alone time to recharge your batteries. Making time for yourself helps to clear your mind and de-stress from the day or week. Now is the time that you will be discovering who you truly are.
“My first year I decided that I never wanted to be alone, and I always needed to have some sort of event or social activity planned. Toward the end of my first semester, I realized that being so social really wasn’t that great of an idea,” said Eric Yoon, a student at Fanshawe College.
“Nights on the town were great, but in moderation. If you don’t take time for yourself, you’ll definitely start to lose yourself.”
Take this time to do things that YOU want to do. Making time to spend with yourself can really keep you grounded and boost your spirit!
8. Be yourself
This is the time that many people start to find their true selves so be comfortable with who you are and you will too! You will meet so many new people that you will find a group you are comfortable being around instead of trying to “fit in.”
Fanshawe student Miriame Blarke shared her story of trying to fit in during her college years.
“I would have definitely come out as gay and explored my sexuality by joining clubs with other fellow gay students,” said Blarke. “Instead I heavily repressed it and joined a weird as shit Christian prayer group to pretty much force the urges away. I came out the semester after I graduated and still felt sad about all the stuff I missed in college if I’d accepted it sooner.”
9. It’s okay to be home sick
The first night I spent on my own I cried and missed my mom so much. I don’t really know why considering I’ve spent countless nights away from her since the age of five, but I did know that I missed her terribly that night.
The reason I admit to this is because I found a woman who posted in a college orientation blog about her experience with being homesick that was shockingly similar to mine.
“It’s okay to admit to being sad because you aren’t with your family or your friends. The transition from high school to college is usually one of the biggest transitions someone our age has experienced, and being without your family can be rough! So when your mom or your sister or your uncle asks if you’re homesick, just be honest! You could get a solid care package out of it,” the blogger said.
10. Care about college
Unlike high school, college has more of a reward. It’s the beginning to your future career and you really don’t want to mess that up, do you?
So many people have the “I just need to pass” attitude and I can’t stand when I hear people say that about their post-secondary education.
At the end of the day, you’re paying thousands to go to school and learn what you want to learn instead of sitting through classes that you are not very interested in – it’s not that bad of a deal considering the projected payoffs.
This was my very first mistake… It started out when received my letter telling me what books I needed to buy for my courses. I went online and ordered them all right away. I spent almost $1,000 on books just to have my teachers tell me that we will not use it very much or at all.
Wait to buy your books and ask your teachers if and how much you will be using them to save yourself money and the hassle.
2. Identify early
Do you feel like you know the material, but somehow it is not being reflected in your grades? Do you have a hard time taking tests? Have you always struggled with school? It may not be your fault. Fanshawe will help you identify and get help for any learning disabilities that may be hindering your learning experience.
“I would have got treatment for my horrible, debilitating anxiety BEFORE I had a massive breakdown in my second year, which probably would have led to me going to way more class than I actually did,” said Reddit user, Hatcheck. “A lot of mental illnesses come on or amp up right around age 18, kids, and most colleges have free counseling.”
3. Fix your study habits
And quick I really mean it, because let’s be honest… high school was a bit of a joke, but it is not like that anymore. You need to start to take your learning seriously.
Another Reddit user mentioned something on the same thread that reminded me of how many students acted towards exams.
“My study habits were pretty shit, no way around it. I went to class but I never did homework until two weeks before exams, unless I had to hand it in. Around exam time, I would literally sacrifice certain classes to put in extra study time for the classes I was failing. So many classes I squeeked by in I could have easily gotten a B-. So many classes I should have gotten an A+ in, I ended up with a B+, because I half assed my exam study time to focus on something else,” said user BaconatedGrapefruit.
4. Ask for help
Sooner or later, I think all of us need help in one way or another. It was interesting for me entering college. In high school I rarely asked questions because I didn’t want to look stupid, but eventually it was like it didn’t matter to me anymore. I wanted to learn and the tables turned when I started to think that the people who DIDN’T ask questions were the stupid ones.
“I was having difficulty in a math class, but I never asked the teacher for help until it was too late,” said Delmer Esters, College Planning Specialist, in a recent blog post on educationquest.org.
“I got my first and only F of my college career … There is no shame in asking for help, and in the end you aren’t getting your money’s worth for your education if you don’t,” said Esters.
5. Exercise
In my first year I felt like as soon as I recuperated from the whole exam fiasco, it started all over again. My roommate and I had no time to peel potatoes and wash vegetables to make a healthy meal? Instead it was, McDonalds or Subway on our way home and that packed on the pounds quickly.
Establishing a solid exercise routine that I could have stuck with at the beginning of the year instead of trying to solve the problem half way through summer could have saved me 10 pounds.
6. Take it easy on parties
So you know how I just said that it felt like as soon as exams were done, more were right around the corner? Well remember this about partying. There will always be more, so taking a night off isn’t a big deal. The more you party, the more you’re going to end up stressing yourself out in the end because you’re wishing you had an extra night to finish an assignment.
Partying is actually one of great things about college obviously and I suggest it because you get to meet new people! Just make sure that you are prioritizing your time properly.
7. Make time for yourself
Always schedule in some alone time to recharge your batteries. Making time for yourself helps to clear your mind and de-stress from the day or week. Now is the time that you will be discovering who you truly are.
“My first year I decided that I never wanted to be alone, and I always needed to have some sort of event or social activity planned. Toward the end of my first semester, I realized that being so social really wasn’t that great of an idea,” said Eric Yoon, a student at Fanshawe College.
“Nights on the town were great, but in moderation. If you don’t take time for yourself, you’ll definitely start to lose yourself.”
Take this time to do things that YOU want to do. Making time to spend with yourself can really keep you grounded and boost your spirit!
8. Be yourself
This is the time that many people start to find their true selves so be comfortable with who you are and you will too! You will meet so many new people that you will find a group you are comfortable being around instead of trying to “fit in.”
Fanshawe student Miriame Blarke shared her story of trying to fit in during her college years.
“I would have definitely come out as gay and explored my sexuality by joining clubs with other fellow gay students,” said Blarke. “Instead I heavily repressed it and joined a weird as shit Christian prayer group to pretty much force the urges away. I came out the semester after I graduated and still felt sad about all the stuff I missed in college if I’d accepted it sooner.”
9. It’s okay to be home sick
The first night I spent on my own I cried and missed my mom so much. I don’t really know why considering I’ve spent countless nights away from her since the age of five, but I did know that I missed her terribly that night.
The reason I admit to this is because I found a woman who posted in a college orientation blog about her experience with being homesick that was shockingly similar to mine.
“It’s okay to admit to being sad because you aren’t with your family or your friends. The transition from high school to college is usually one of the biggest transitions someone our age has experienced, and being without your family can be rough! So when your mom or your sister or your uncle asks if you’re homesick, just be honest! You could get a solid care package out of it,” the blogger said.
10. Care about college
Unlike high school, college has more of a reward. It’s the beginning to your future career and you really don’t want to mess that up, do you?
So many people have the “I just need to pass” attitude and I can’t stand when I hear people say that about their post-secondary education.
At the end of the day, you’re paying thousands to go to school and learn what you want to learn instead of sitting through classes that you are not very interested in – it’s not that bad of a deal considering the projected payoffs.
