If you’re an academic student or a student-to-be, what you should know about the first year at college is that everything will change – for the better.
The assignments mountain, yes, and you’ll get to pay the bills on your own. But, college life is the first hello to adulthood and the last goodbye to the carefree life as a teenager.
Now, we’re not going to romanticize youth, but speak about the crazy pace during this period, so you’d know what to expect and how to react. So, let’s briefly go through the main changes you ought to anticipate as you enter college life as a fresher.
Survive Freshman Year During College: Top 5 Rules
The first thing you should know about college life – and life in your 20s – is that it’s a work in progress. You’ll meet lots of new people, and get to be independent for the first time. Also, your friend might get married halfway through the second semester, and you’ll pass an exam you never studied, but also fail the one you’ve spent lots of time working on.
Life in your 20s is a ride you need to take properly. Adult Lesson number one – find order in the chaos.
Here are our favorite tips to help you keep up with the challenge ahead:
1. Stay Organized
The most important thing about freshmen is to create healthier working and studying habits. For example, if you used to be a night owl, now it’s wise to start doing your assignments earlier – so you can go to bed earlier. Having a healthy sleeping schedule may not show the best results in your early 20s, but it can have a huge impact later on.
Also, another adulting feature you’ll have to learn in your early 20s is prioritizing and investing your time and energy wisely. You cannot succeed in anything you do if you don’t know how to arrange your tasks and assignments to fit in 24 hours.
If you are struggling with an assignment, you can always ask for essay help online, to get a professional helping hand. Plus, you’ll learn the subject you have an interest in, as well as the ways to properly write an academic paper.
2. Atomic Habits
Atomic Habits is one of the best self-improvement books that teach you the importance of small steps. Every big thing started as an atom but grew into a more meaningful whole.
Your ambition and habits may be atomic at the moment, but they can turn into something big, only if you follow the provided guidelines. Also, keep your room organized, your bed tidy, eat 3 meals a day, take vitamins, make your bed first thing in the morning, and whatever you do – don’t procrastinate. Like, ever.
Consider that each campus is unique and it can lead you to form long-term friendships and relationships. Don’t wait for someone to approach you, make the first step toward socializing.
Life with colleagues is better. You’ll share the good along with the bad. You’ll have someone to rely on, hang out, study, and of course, have a blast with, too.
3. Fight Away the Hometown Blues
It’s normal to feel homesick at the beginning of your studies. Although you may not believe that you’ll ever get used to your new life, science claims otherwise.
According to findings, humans are the most adaptive species on earth due to their thinking and problem-solving abilities.
Therefore, keep yourself busy from the very beginning, but also remember to be friendly and kind to the people around you. That will significantly suppress your homesickness, and help you release the fear of the unknown.
4. Take the Best Out of Your Professors
Make it a habit to regularly visit your classes and ask your professors questions.
A professor’s greatest pride is when their students overcome their knowledge. It means their job has been done right.
If you have any questions, reach out to your professor after class or during consultation hours. Never hesitate to ask – it’s the only way to sharpen your critical thinking.
5. Work Hard, Play Hard
College years are likely the last carefree period you’ll have. So, make sure you make each second spent there, counts. Apart from working hard and scoring high grades, find time to chill out a little bit, and yes, unwind more often.
The formula is if you pass an exam – go celebrate, and if you fail an exam – go dance away your blues. Remember to always keep a healthy balance between your academic and social life. Students who only focus on studies ultimately miss out on socializing and end up narrow-minded.
A lively social life will mold a better academic out of you. After all, a Bachelor’s degree is not the only thing you should get out of college.
