Freshman Year 101: A Guide to Getting You Through Your First College Year
By By Lynne Voelliger
You made it! The day you’ve dreamed about (or worried about) is finally here. You’ve made your decision, you know where you’re going and you may even know the name of your future roommate. So now it’s just a waiting game for move-in day or the first day of class, right?
Wrong!
Instead of letting the days just pass by, use them to prepare for what lies ahead. Learn all that you can about the place you’ll call “home” for the next few years. Read everything you can get your hands on about the school, study the website and attend orientation. And when you do, don’t just go through the motions. Listen hard, ask lots of questions and meet other new students and student leaders.
Leaving for college will be a major change for you and your family. While change is inevitable, statistics show that being prepared and knowing what to expect about that first year of college will help make the transition smooth.
In this guide, we’ll address key topics to help you mentally prepare. But when you feel ready, also spend some time thinking about who you want to be in college and what you want to achieve.
It’s going to take more than good grades to be successful in college. It’s going to take maturity and the ability to make solid decisions about who you are and how you want to live.
Top 10 Things to Remember
The adjustment is going to take time. Give it all the time it needs.
This is a major adjustment for your family as well. Be sensitive to their feelings.
Arrive at school with an open mind and expect diversity.
Know your values and beliefs and live by them.
Know that there are other students with similar views and seek them out.
Think before you act.
Make decisions that are best for you.
Use your good judgment.
Learn to compromise if you have a roommate.
Focus on safety and do NOT take risks.
Campus Policies
One of the first and most important things you’ll need to do to ensure success in college is to familiarize yourself with campus policies. These will cover everything from parking fines to the possession of illegal drugs.
While policies vary from school to school, issues generally do not. Visit your school’s website and study the student handbook to learn your school’s policy on the following issues. Failure to comply could result in a student violation and ultimately to dismissal.
On-Campus Housing
Although a variety of housing options may be available, chances are your first year will be spent living on campus with a roommate, either in a residence hall or apartment. Living on campus provides a great start to your college career. It’s convenient, a good learning environment and a great way to meet people and make lasting friendships.
When choosing your housing preference, you may have a number of decisions to make. Do you want to live in housing that is co-ed, either by floor or throughout the building? Or would you prefer a same-sex residence hall?
You may also have the option of living in a ‘learning community’ where you’re housed with other students who are studying the same major.
Additionally, many colleges and universities offer a Greek system with sororities and fraternities. Freshmen pledges are often required to live on campus for the first year.
Regardless of what you choose, it’s a good idea to contact your roommate before you arrive. This provides an opportunity to get acquainted and to discuss the big items you plan to bring. Space may be tight and you’ll want to avoid bringing duplicates.
Do Bring, Don’t Bring
What to bring: Alarm clock, school supplies, thesaurus, dictionary, stapler, backpack shower flip flops, bedding and towels, shower caddy, clothes for a variety of weather, phone/answering machine, fan, bathrobe, hangers, umbrella, study lamp and light bulbs, laundry supplies, mini tool kit, postage stamps, lint roller, mounting tape to hang posters, non-perishable snacks, cleaning supplies, extension cords, power strip.
Optional but popular items: microwave, television, DVD player, refrigerator and computer
What not to bring: Firearms, halogen lamps, pets, candles, air-conditioning units.
When it comes to deciding what clothes to bring, listen to students with experience.
Move-In Day
Plan on being well rested for move-in day and allow plenty of time for the process. Although it is an exciting, adventurous day, it will be hard work and stressful as well.
Staff and student leaders will probably be available to give directions and provide help. However, if possible, bring family members or a two-wheel cart to help carry boxes.
If you are bringing a computer, in-room hook ups are usually available to the campus network and the Internet.
Buying Your Books
Your fall semester class schedule was probably selected with an advisor during orientation. Although you can wait until after the first day of classes to buy your books, most students find it helpful to purchase them in advance. The earlier you do, the greater chance you’ll have in finding a lower priced used book, which can be a hefty savings.
Books are generally purchased in the campus book store(s). Be sure to have your schedule in hand, as you will need to know the section number and the instructor for each class.
If you need to return a book, receipts are required and must be returned within an allotted time period.
Books can generally be sold back to the book store at the end of the semester. However, do not expect a big windfall. You’ll receive a pittance back for the dollars originally spent. Some books are worth keeping, especially as you become an upper classman and delve further into your major.
Life With a Roommate
Perhaps you’ve had a room to yourself for the past 18 years and suddenly, you’re going to live in tight quarters with a stranger.
Well, guess what? The same may be true for your roommate.
Although learning to live with a roommate may be the biggest adjustment you’ll make as a freshman, many students say it’s a great experience, well worth the learning curve.
It’s important to start off on the right foot with your ‘roomie’, so keep these survival tips in mind BEFORE you meet:
Don’t judge your roommate at first sight. Wait until you know each other better to form your impressions.
Spend some time getting to know each other outside of your room. Go out and have fun together; ask questions to show that you’re interested in knowing him/her better.
Respect each other’s space and privacy.
Do your part to keep the room neat. It doesn’t have to be spotless, but it should be picked up. It’s difficult to find things and to concentrate in a mess.
Discuss critical topics right away, such as sleep and study habits, shared responsibility for the room and views on sex, alcohol, drugs and visitors in the room.
Develop a schedule for using the bathroom.
Plan to negotiate and compromise about having guests in the room and cleaning.
Tension between roommates is common and you should expect it from time to time. If conflict does arise, try talking it out with your roommate or seek the advice of your resident hall advisor. Often, misunderstandings are small and can be easily resolved. However, if the conflict is serious and unable to be resolved, don’t hesitate to ask to be moved.
Making Friends
Making friends probably won’t be as daunting as it seems. Because everyone is new and anxious to make friends, the students on your floor will automatically gravitate to each other. Try to take the first step in meeting people by saying ‘hi’ and introducing yourself.
Many colleges and universities offer a ‘getting acquainted’ program specifically for incoming freshman, which is a great way to meet people and make friends. It’s typically a two-day program scheduled prior to the arrival of upper classmen and the beginning of the fall semester. An organizational fair is usually provided during that time so students can learn about the various programs and available opportunities.
You’ll also begin to see familiar faces on campus and in your classrooms as you go through your first week or two of classes. Smile, say ‘hi’ and introduce yourself. They are as anxious to meet people as you are!
Attend campus events and after you’ve had some time to adjust to college life, considering getting involved in an organization or two that interests you. Research shows that students who get involved are more likely to graduate than students who are not.
An added benefit to getting involved is that you’ll develop skills in teamwork, conflict management, budgeting, marketing and event planning. Being involved will also provide connections that may benefit you professionally in the future.
Academics
You’ve heard it over and over – “College is the best time of your life.”
While that is undeniably true, you’ll need to have the right attitude and work ethic to earn a degree in a reasonable amount of time.
The first thing to think about is what careers interest you, which will ultimately determine your major. While many incoming freshman are ready to declare a major, many others are unsure of their career path. Additionally, it’s not uncommon for students to change their mind – and their major - over the course of the year.
Colleges and universities understand both scenarios and most offer programs of exploration during the freshman year. Career services are typically available on campus as well, designed to help students understand how careers relate to majors.
For students thinking of changing their major, the first step is to consult their academic advisor.
To earn a bachelor’s degree in 4 years, students must average between 15 and 18 credit hours per semester. However, incoming freshman are often wise to carry a lighter load – between 12 and 16 credit hours – during their first semester of college.
Wile it’s important to have fun, it’s imperative that you do well academically. Unfortunately, many students fall in the trap of making ‘fun’ their No. 1 priority and don’t make it past the first semester.
To ensure your success, take the following suggestions to heart:
Remember why you’re in school – to go to class and to earn a degree.
Understand that this isn’t high school anymore. Your teachers will treat you as an adult, expecting you to attend class regularly and to complete the class work as assigned.
Make a point to meet your teachers and make sure they see you in class. (Guys: don’t hide behind a hat!)
A general rule of thumb: For every hour you spend in class, you’ll need to spend two hours outside of class studying. Understand that ‘studying’ is everything you need to do in addition to homework to understand course material, such as recopying notes, reviewing material and using study guides.
Develop a schedule for study time and ‘play time’ and then stick to it. Use down time between classes to prepare.
Depending upon your major, many classes will require large amounts of reading outside of class. Do not get behind on your reading – catching up is tough.
Use the web to communicate with your teachers and monitor your grades.
Tutoring
College level classes will not be easy and will become progressively more difficult as you delve further into your major. But virtually every college and university offers assistance to help you succeed. A large menu of services will be available to you.
From the beginning, familiarize yourself with what resources are available to you as a student. In many cases, schools offer an academic success center, a collection of resources and programs in one location, to assist with your success. You’ll be amazed at the services available at your fingertips – a writing help center, individualized tutoring, small group learning environments, course specific study groups, etc., etc., etc. Help is available if you need it. However, it’s your responsibility to choose – and use – the services to reach your goals.
Costs for assistance vary from school to school. Private schools often offer assistance at no cost, while state schools may charge a nominal fee for tutoring.
Working and Going To Class
Deciding whether to work or not while you’re in school is a personal and economic decision. However, if you decide to work, understand that a delicate balance exists between working and going to school. You need to be realistic about the number of hours you can devote to a job, as well as the timing of those hours.
Notices for part-time jobs are often listed on the school website as well as on bulletin boards throughout campus. Federal Work-Study jobs usually apply the money you earn towards your university bill.
Look for a job that fits your needs Part-time jobs on campus, such as campus guides or food service, are generally a good choice because the employers understand the challenges of a working student.
Avoid positions that require working late in the evening. If you’re working late and getting up early for class, you will burn out quickly.
Getting Home
The best way to acclimate to college is to stay there on the weekends. In the first few weeks, you may need to fight the urge to go home. But force yourself to stay and before long, your new surroundings will begin to feel ‘like home’.
But for the times when you need to go home, such as holidays or spring break, what’s the best way? Unless you have a car on campus, you’ll need to look into your options.
Depending upon the distance and location, you can travel commercially by bus, by train or by plane. Your school may also have bulletin boards where students post requests or offers to ‘ride share’ home.
