Your freshman year in college can be filled with lots of excitement, stress, fun and drama. However, knowing how to balance all of those emotions and activities is a matter of keen preparation. If you’re not prepared for the adjustment to college life, you could really struggle through your freshman year. If you want to ensure that you get the most out of that first year, then there’s a few things you want to consider. Here is how to survive and thrive your freshman year in college.
- Make sure to stay on top of your schedule.
The key to getting through your freshman year without too many breakdowns is to make sure that you don’t fall too far behind on any of your priorities. Unlike high school, your tardiness and absences may not be marked by your professors and affect your grades directly, but if you’re missing out on lectures then you’re definitely falling behind in class. So make sure that you are always present and take thorough notes each time. You’ll thank yourself when it comes time to study for exams.
- Don’t get too caught up in partying.
One of the biggest mistakes that most college freshmen make is spending too much time partying, and not enough time on their studies. You are in college, after all, and should make time for socializing and letting off steam. If, however, you don’t keep your late nights in check then you may find yourself gaining that freshman 15 (and then some) and falling behind in classes before you know it.
- Learn how to cook for yourself.
A lot of students start gaining weight during their freshman year because they are drinking a lot and also because they don’t have parents around to make sure they’re eating balanced, home-cooked meals. That’s why it’s so important that you learn how to prepare healthy meals yourself. Find a friend who likes to cook and you can have fun sharing your skills in the kitchen and stay healthy at the same time.
- Find a healthy way to relieve stress.
Whether you’ve moved across the country to go to college or you’re studying with ACU online, you’re going to be stressed out a lot of the time. That’s why it’s important to find a healthy way to cope with that stress. You can join a sports team, take yoga classes, go on bike rides, or knit sweaters. No matter what outlet you choose to alleviate your stress, make sure that it’s something that makes you feel proud and fulfilled.
- Keep the relationship drama to a minimum.
You will be meeting so many people your first year of college and it can be very easy to fall head over heels very quickly. However, it’s important to take new relationships – either romantic or new friendships – slowly. When everyone is under so much stress, it can be easy for relationships to get dramatic very quickly; unnecessary drama will be the last thing you want to spend your time on.