Recapping My Freshman Year of College: What It's Really Like

Not to be that person, but I would like to pat myself on the back for surviving the ever-daunting first year of college. Freshman year of college is a time of self-discovery, growth, and learning to become your own person. I was always so excited to go to college, and move away from home so I could finally do what I wanted to do. Although these things still excite me, what I did learn is that college is a once in a lifetime experience that varies from person to person, and my experience is no different.

First off, let's start simple: it is not as glamorous as the movies can make it out to be. The stress, the breakdowns, the increased caffeine consumption, the crunch time, the pulling an "all nighter to get stuff done" is all real. Remember, college is a reality, and you often don't have all the time in the world to do everything you have in mind and want to do (like partying, hanging out with friends 24/7, etc.)—you are here to receive a higher education, and your studies should always be your first priority, especially considering the pricey bill that comes along with it (yikes!). I'm not saying you can't have fun and take breaks, because those are so important when it comes to clearing your head, and getting the best out of the college experience. Just remember the goals you have in mind, and everything should work out in the end.

Homesick

Being homesick can happen, whether you're living an hour away from home or many states away. I know I got a bit homesick in the beginning, considering I was in a new environment for the first time in 18 years. I went home for the weekend at least once a month to get a breath of fresh air, and take a step back to clear my head. Not everyone is the same, so some can long more for the place they call home than others. But the more I got used to living on campus, and settled into a routine for my schedule, the less time I had to wonder about being back home. I became more accepting of my change in scenery, and my focus became much clearer. It can take some time, but everyone adjusts differently. The transition does get better, and a lot of the time you can enjoy being on campus a heck of a lot more than being back home!

Making Friends

This 100 percent varies person to person, as our personalities come into play when trying to engage in making friends. I wouldn't say I had an easy time, but I also can't say I had the hardest time. At first, it was a bit hard considering I am on the shyer side, and it takes a lot for me to put myself out there, but I did end up making some pretty awesome friends, and met so many new people. Talking to people on the first couple days of your classes is not only a great technique in making some new friends, but you'll also have some study buddies for when exam time comes! Just remember that everyone is in the same boat. Hopefully, that philosophy will assist you in being able to take that small step forward. Chances are, the person you want to talk to is hoping to talk to you as well!

Classes and Workload

Depending on the difficulty of your course and your professor, the workload you'll have will vary. I've had classes that were more reading based, while others were notes-heavy. But I'm not gonna sugar coat things, because, in all honesty, college is hard. I have had so many nights freaking out over upcoming exams, and been stressed beyond belief trying to get all of my assignments done. They can really build up depending on the time of the year, and finding the time to complete them all can seem impossible. I can recount so many days where, after all my classes were over, I would be working for hours non-stop to try and get somewhat ahead. I don't even want to tell you how many cups of coffee I'd have in a day, or how sleep deprived I was.

Getting into a routine that works is difficult considering how your schedule varies differently day to day, but figuring it out early on is a lifesaver! Additionally, I recommend reading over your syllabus often, and really tuning in to your professor's lessons from the beginning (and thereafter) to get an idea of the class structure. From there on, finding the time to complete your work is crucial to succeeding. You can find the time to do work, even if it takes a little extra planning. Also, remember: be attentive and ask questions, it'll do more good than harm!

Procrastination

Probably the biggest issue most college students struggle with. We are really good at procrastination, saying "I'll just do it tomorrow," or "I have enough time." Truth is, you really don't have as much time as you think you do, especially when you're cramming in an assignment the night before it's due. I am guilty of putting some things off, and in retrospect, it wasn't my greatest idea. Yet, I learned to grow and learn from my mistakes, planning out my days, and squeezing in time here and there to progressively work to finish assignments. This way, it's not too much of a hassle the day before it's due, considering college deadlines for each class seem to all line up with each other—what an unfortunate coincidence, huh?

The Importance of Putting Yourself Out There

For a lack of better words, I am a very introverted individual. I'd much rather prefer staying in watching a movie, or reading a book than going to campus events, or parties. This trait of mine caused various problems for me, especially during my first semester of college. I would always stay cooped up in my tiny single suite room doing work, or watching Netflix, never going out except to get my food, which I, almost 99 percent of the time, brought back to my room. While I sometimes checked out some campus activities, I wasn't involved in any clubs or ever left campus to explore. I quickly realized how my mood became much more solemn and reclusive—I became homesick often, and claimed how much I hated living on campus. I even considered commuting an hour to campus for my second semester, because of how much I didn't like it. But that was my own fault for not putting myself out there.

To combat this funk I got myself in, I set goals for myself to get out more during my second semester. While it was a daunting process, I joined a national honor fraternity, and surrounded myself with people who are quickly becoming good friends of mine. I started going to more events on campus, and spent time outside of my dorm room. My mood changed for the better, and I 100 percent recommend putting yourself out there despite being shy, introverted, and a homebody like me. Trust me, you won't regret it.

Roommate Issues

I can guarantee you will know someone, or even be someone, who doesn't have the most spectacular roommate situation in the world. It's more common than not, and while my roommate and I got along very well, there were some underlying issues that made sharing a dorm room together difficult and irritating. Never—and I mean never—hesitate to talk to your roommate about the problems you have. If they aren't aware then they won't make the efforts to fix it. I made the mistake of not speaking up initially, when in the end my roommate was very understanding, and felt guilty seeing the situation from my point of view. We compromised and everything worked out in the end. Talking things out, and being open with one another is very important, and the key to optimizing your college living situation.

I'm sure if you are a college student, were a college student, or are an upcoming college student, these are just some of the things that may be, or have been, common occurrences during your years in college. Not everyone can relate to my personal experience, but I can imagine yours are quite similar in some aspects.

Never be afraid to speak out and ask questions. Freshman year is a transition that does not come easy. You will have questions, you will have good times, and you will have bad times. But in the end, once you find what works for you, I can guarantee you'll be living some of the best years of your life. Trust the process, learn, and most of all, make memories that will last a lifetime.

Best of luck to those beginning their freshman year, or any year for that matter. We've got this!

Bonus!