SAN ANTONIO- Freshman year of college is filled with excitement and curiosity as you transition from adolescence to adulthood. It signifies the beginning of independence and “freedom” as you may leave the comfort of your parental home and live by yourself for the first time.
Whether you are living with your parents or by yourself, college is a place where you learn how to become an adult. This time in your life can be exciting, but also scary as you are facing a lot of unknowns.
Here is some advice on how to navigate college life as a freshman from an upper-class student who has been there and experienced it all.
The first thing to know is that college is not at all like high school. You are now in the world of adults where they operate on communication and professionalism.
It is now your job to be aware of assignments, projects, and exam dates. Pay attention in class and READ YOUR SYLLABUS. As annoying as it may seem, it is crucial to stay abreast of what is going on and what is to come.
Second, in college, no one is there to hold your hand or reprimand you for missing class or assignments. Parents do not receive attendance alerts and are not authorized to receive your report card unless you say so.
This may sound great, but if you are not disciplined, this lack of supervision can really hurt you. Homework, quizzes, and exam grades can weigh heavily and now, attendance is also taken for a grade.
At the end of the semester these grades can make or break your final results. It is up to you to make and sustain the grade; no one else can do it for you.
As you may know, college is an expensive investment, so it is important to make the most of the opportunity. Each class at Our Lady of the Lake (OLLU) is the equivalent of purchasing a used car and, as an OLLU professor once said to me,
“Failing a class is like crashing a used car into a pole. The more classes you fail, the more money you waste, and it adds up.”
Failing grades can not only hurt your GPA but affect scholarship eligibility and your university standing. Do not crash your car! Stay on top of your assignments and mind your class attendance.
Third, if you are struggling in a class, DO NOT wait to get help. OLLU’s Academic Center for Excellence (ACE) offers free assistance in math, science, and writing. Be sure to make an appointment the second you are not understanding class material.
College can be difficult but there are people that can make it easier. Not everyone learns the same and sometimes extra guidance can be an immense help.
Next, communication is key. For the first-year students who are student-athletes, notifying your professors of when you will be absent ahead of time may not only earn you brownie points but can keep you from missing vital information.
Even if you are not an athlete, communicating potential absences is still necessary.
Not every professor is going to let you do make-up assignments or exams when missed, so keeping them informed will keep you from failing grades and unexcused absences.
Also remember, when sending an email to professors, be respectful and professional. Start the email by greeting the recipient, then draft a clear and concise message. Make sure to end with a regard and your signature; this way you are showing your professionalism while getting the message across.
Keep absences to a minimum so that in case of an emergency, your professor will take you seriously. Too many absences can look suspicious and makes professors question your intentions and commitment.
Furthermore, everyone knows that the first year of college is new and filled with many opportunities to party but pace yourself. Coming from a retired party girl, partying during the week is fun and games until you wake up for an 8 am class the next morning.
Try to keep partying during the week to a minimum. This will not only help your sleep schedule but will give you something to look forward to for the weekend.
Assuredly the parties will still be going on during the weekend and this will save you from puffy eyes and dark circles during the week.
Also do not be foolish and get in trouble by partying on campus. Underage drinking is already against the law and getting caught on campus can reap serious consequences from the university; even more so for student-athletes.
Lastly, take care of yourself. Your parents are no longer there to tend to your needs and part of being an adult is learning to provide for yourself.
Parents spend 18 years taking care of their children to the best of their ability and now they must trust that the child will do the same for themselves. It can be just as scary, if not scarier, letting you go off by yourself so make sure you are taking care of their child.
During exam week, studying can consume a lot of your time to the point where you can forget to eat; schedule breaks to feed yourself. Creating a budget will help set aside funds for the days when you miss dinner or just get tired of cafeteria food; which is inevitable.
For those with a meal plan, make sure you are aware of the dining hall schedule and plan your mealtimes around caf hours. This way you are consciously remembering to feed yourself.
Prioritize your mental health because life can get stressful. If you feel down, reach out to someone… anyone. If you need advice or feel troubled, take advantage of OLLU’s counseling services.
If you are not comfortable talking to counselors, reach out to a friend. Suffering alone is only going to make you feel more isolated and talking to someone who is going through the same thing may bring comfort and make you feel less alone.
As students, it is important to look out for each other. Building a sense of comradery and community amongst your class or rather the OLLU community can help make you feel more at home. After all, the friends you make in college may be with you for the rest of your life, so branch out and try to meet people.
Making sure you get an adequate night’s sleep is also part of taking care of yourself. Repeatedly staying up for assignments or other activities can drain your energy. This is not The Walking Dead so there should not be any freshman zombies roaming campus.
Proper planning and organization can make busy weeks more manageable. Also, try not to procrastinate. Finishing assignments and projects when they are assigned can alleviate stress and leave time for other things you may want to do.
College is meant to be “the best time of your life.” It may not always feel that way but if you heed this advice, college will not only be enjoyable but will give you fond memories to look back on when you graduate.
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