Hey, everyone! My name is Emily and I just finished my freshman year at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. While the year is still fresh in my head, here are my top five pieces of advice for new college freshmen.
1. Learn outside the classroom, too. This is a whole new environment. You are surrounded by the coolest people with the most interesting stories, experiences, and backgrounds. Interactions with the people on your residence hall, in your clubs and classes, or even just at the dining hall will teach you as much as classes themselves. Don’t wait until there is only one week left of school to try to get to know all the people you’ve been wanting to learn about. Asking someone to coffee or lunch just to talk about life shows them that you care and that you’re willing to learn more about them. They’ll probably learn something from you, too! (And you might just find your new best friend while you’re at it.)
2. Get to know your professors. While I’m on the subject of getting to know people better, let me say something about professors. Everyone says that going to office hours is a good idea, and you’ll read it in all of your syllabi during the first week of school. Office hours are definitely a great resource if you’re struggling with concepts in class or having a hard time keeping up. But even if you aren’t having academic problems, office hours are a great time to take advantage of your professors’ knowledge and experience. They are all incredibly intelligent, passionate people who would love to tell you more about their research or field of study. And just introducing yourself shows that you care about the subject, not just the grade.
3. Try new things. Yes, that is the most cliche piece of advice ever. But I’m not just talking about the cultural festivals, alternative theater performances, or dance teams you never thought you’d be good at (although those are all things you should try). I’m also saying that adjusting to college life is a trial-and-error process. If you just aren’t getting things done in the library, try studying at a coffee shop or at the student center. If your group of friends seems to be doing things that don’t sound fun to you, it’s not too late to find a group of people that will support you and join you in activities you want to do. If the classes you’re taking aren’t interesting, maybe it’s time to consider a new major or concentration. No matter what, remember that it’s never too late to change any of these things.
4. Go to class. “Of course I’ll go to class,” you say. “I had perfect attendance for thirteen years in grade school.” Sure, but an 8 AM class rolls around and the teacher isn’t taking attendance…it’s tempting. However, skipping just one class can easily snowball into a regular routine of sleeping through those early lectures. Even on the coldest, sleepiest days, walking to class is worth it. You or someone you know is paying for you to go to class, and this is an opportunity you only have for four years. At the end of the semester, you’ll feel a lot better about your GPA when you know that, no matter what, you’ve put in your maximum effort. And professors notice who’s there and who’s not; they’ll appreciate your effort, too – especially when it comes to grading the final exam!
5. Smile and appreciate it. You are here for four years. You’re surrounded by people who share your passion for knowledge and adults who care about your current and future success. It’s easy to get caught up in classes, friends, drama, extracurriculars, employment, interviews and resumes, staying in shape, and trying to get to know all the people you want to know. But every once in a while turn off your phone and your computer and walk around your dorm and your campus. Smile at the people you see and just take it all in – no matter what college in what state or country, you’re lucky to be there.
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