Preparing Yourself for Your First Year of College
By Rafael Grandi
As an uprising junior in college, I can say that there are many things I wished I had known before my first few in college.
To be honest, I had no idea what to expect and what it would be like even more than any of my high school friends since I was the first person in my family to go to college in the United States. Being in a completely new environment with new people by yourself can be a little stressful and scary, but once you get used to this new dynamic it is one of the best times you will have.
This upcoming August and September many of us are going to be preparing ourselves for a new year of college. Honestly, when I have to prepare myself for a new semester it is a little overwhelming but it is also an exciting and important step in my academic journey. This is even more true for new students.
As many prepare themselves to go to college, I thought it would be helpful to share some tips that I wish I knew before going to college in hopes of helping other students feel more prepared and confident coming into college.
Familiarize Yourself with the Campus
Take a virtual tour or visit the campus if possible before the semester begins. Locate your classrooms, library, cafeteria, and other essential facilities. This will help you feel more comfortable navigating the campus when classes start.
Apart from this learn about all the different facilities that your campus offers to students and how you can get the most out of them whenever you need help. Your college will offer a variety of resources for students such as career help, mental health aid, tutoring services, library resources, and many others.
Join a Club and Get Involved on Campus
If there is one thing I would tell every person to do would be to join a club or organization. Campuses have a variety of clubs, organizations, fraternities, and sororities that give you an opportunity to meet new people. Finding people you relate to and can have a connection to can be hard on campus, but by looking at different interests you share it is a lot easier to find them.
Joining a club doesn’t only help you expand your hobbies, but it is also a great opportunity to make new friends and expand your network. If you are interested in something that might not be offered at your school, gather a group of people and start your own club or organization. It will help you create a new community and will also look great on your resume.
Get Organized
The workload that you get in college is different than the work you get in high school, there is way more material and it is harder. This is why it is so important to stay organized and on top of all your work. Set up a system to keep track of your assignments, deadlines, and class schedules. Use a planner, calendar app, or online tools to stay organized. Break down larger tasks into smaller, manageable ones to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Create a study schedule and allocate dedicated time for each subject, including study breaks. Stick to your schedule as much as possible, but be flexible enough to adjust it if needed. While doing this try new study habits and see which one works best for you.
Take Care of Yourself
College life can be demanding, so prioritize self-care. Maintain a healthy lifestyle by eating well, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep. Engage in activities you enjoy and find ways to manage stress, such as practicing mindfulness or participating in campus clubs and organizations.
You should put yourself as your top priority, if you are not doing well you won’t have a good and successful college life.
I know that going to college away from your family is stressful and challenging, but hopefully, these tips can help you feel more prepared and excited to go out and make the most out of your first year in college.