I'm starting college on Monday...

[KTheLibra]

...and I'm fucking terrified. Any words of advice or reassurance?

 

[swerve]

OMG!!! PREPARE yourself for some of the FUNNEST years of you LIFE!!!

 

[sabot3ur]

don't slip up first (or second) semester!

but also don't be a shut in. go to any activities your campus has, have fun.

 

[gay boy 123]

Manage your time, people spend 45 hours a weeks on a college workload. Study for midterms and finals. Don't procrastinate and finish everything on time. Also get to know people in your classes and make study groups. Be serious about college.

 

[swerve]

Manage your time, people spend 45 hours a weeks on a college workload. Study for midterms and finals. Don't procrastinate and finish everything on time. Also get to know people in your classes and make study groups. Be serious about college.

OR -- you can join a fraternity -- providing you access to their "test files" -- and you don't have to study so hard -- you can focus more on HAVING FUN!!!

 

[SonOfSlobone]

Not to worry. Remember everybody else is in the same boat as you. They're all newbies too.

Just don't let yourself get too far behind on homework. Then it could really turn into a disaster. Always do everything a little earlier than you think you have to. That will also turn out to be a good habit later on...

 

[youngnihilist]

first year dont party too much but after you're adjusted make sure to have a lot of sex

 

[Apollo]

dude, it isn't that bad. my first time was last year, and it was just so much fun. they aren't lying when they say it is the best years of your life. nothing like it will probably happen in your life.

 

[VICTORIADON]

Deep doubts, deep wisdom; small doubts, little wisdom.

 

[honooryuu]

definitely dont panic. also, try to relax. it really isnt as bad as some people can make it out to be. have fun though, and dont be afraid to go to campus events.

try not to lock yourself in your room either otherwise you wont have any fun at all.

also, as far as roommates go, take the time to get to know him. he will be the person you most likely spend the majority of your free time with. i actually ended up with 2 different roommates. one for each semester. the first one never really talked, and i was never really there so it worked out.

also, to minimize the chance of anything of yours being taken, keep your room locked when you arent in it. and make sure your roommate does the same.

 

[Thad1527]

I'm still waiting to hear: what kind of school?

If it's a conservative religious-based institution and you've already made a committment to it, or your way is being paid: it won't be easy. You can learn skills to make a living and make friends, but, honestly, you won't belong.

If it's a trade school, community college, or "commuter" school, take advantage of opportunities to socialize as well as learn. Make friends, because it might take a little more effort but it will pay off.

If it's a large state school, find a small group of people you like, or you could feel lost.

No matter what, don't be afraid to ask questions, be a pest, or do whatever you need to be comfortable and well-informed. And take advantage of being around people unlike yourself. That's how you learn.

 

[yeeeaaahhh]

Have fun! Don't be shy, or you will regret it later. Make really great friends. Be involved on campus. Stuff like that.

Oh yeah... study sometimes

 

[BlueD]

-- Do not freak yourself out or scare because it's not that scary. Other Freshmen are new to this too. Make some friends and things will be okay.
-- Time management is the key!!!
-- Try NOT to procrastinate: electronics have the OFF button for a reason; learn to say NO to friends or invitations (and trust me, saying NO with a good reason doesn't break friendships); don't leave things that can be done today to tomorrow (I know, cheesy, but really true.)
-- With roommate, communication is important. Give each other some space sometime.
-- Be clean, tidy, and not smelly. Or you will be the talk of some group of your friends, seriously. (I was in the talking group )
-- Join clubs, activities outside schoolwork. You can make some awesome friends there.
-- Enjoy yourself, the first year is the best year in my opinion.

 

[LilBit]

Don't expect it to be like high school. First off, you're going to be a small fish in a big pond, and most of your classmates were probably high achievers in high school. You probably won't make straight A's. And that's okay. If you get a B or two, then congratulations; that means that you're a real person.

You also don't have to join every on-campus club or organization. Those things aren't nearly as impressive on a CV or a job application as they are on a college application. Join clubs that are really interesting to you. If you find that they cause more stress than enjoyment, drop out of them.

Also, you have to be more disciplined with your work than you were in high school. Most college classes only meet three or four hours a week, which means that a great deal of your learning will take place outside the classroom.

If you take a large lecture class, you can probably get by with just doing the reading and showing up for exams. In most of my lecture classes, the professor stood in the front of the lecture hall and read notes that were virtually identical to the chapter that we had read the night before.

If you need help, don't be afraid to go to your professor's office hours. Believe me, you're not bothering them. Office hours can get kind of lonely.

It is definitely important to take your studies seriously, but as several posters have mentioned, it's also important to maintain balance. If you live in the dorms, make friends with your neighbors. If you live off-campus, make friends with your classmates. Unless you have an exam or a big paper coming up, there's no reason to work every weekend evening. Take at least one evening off each week to have fun and relax.

 

[cocktales]

KTL,

Trust "us", ALL the freshmen are quite nervous, so don't feel alone here!!!

You've already received some great pointers; but let me add my 2-cents if you will (they may over-lap a bit) lol

1. Ask for help. Students forget that professors are there to help them and more often than not, professors pass the semester without any visit from their students. Do this especially if you are having difficulty.

2. Bring related stuff to class or to the professor. This will show that indeed you have an interest that goes beyond the classroom. Professors like that tremendously. (sounds lame but it works!)

3. Turn off your cell phone. Never, ever, answer or look at your cell to check who is calling you, and worse, to play games while the class is going on. This shows disrespect and no professor will take it with a smile. Also, don't eat in class. Profs pay attention!

4. Don't have parallel conversations. Remain focused. Talking in class is a no-no, unless you are between tasks or group activities. Sending paper notes is even worse. High School is over. This is another ball game altogether.

5. Go to class. Being a Freshman, they expect to lose upwards of 50% or more of you!

6. Participate in events early on -- especially during Orientation So roll your eyes if you must, but go.
7. Don't go home every weekend. But going home every weekend prevents you from connecting with other students, getting comfortable with your campus, and making it your new home.
8.Take risks. Do things that are outside of your comfort zone. You went to college to learn new stuff, right?
9.Sign up for a class you know nothing about. Just because you're pre-med doesn't mean you can't take a course in astronomy. Expand your horizons and take a subject you never even considered.
10.Learn how to say "no." This may be one of the most challenging skills to learn when you're first in school. But saying "yes" to everything that sounds fun, interesting, and exciting will lead you to trouble. Your academics will suffer, your time management will be horrible, and you'll burn yourself out.
11.Ask for help before it's too late. Colleges are generally pretty good places; no one there wants to see you do poorly. If you're struggling in a class, ask your professor for help or go to a tutoring center. If you're having a hard time adjusting, talk to someone in the counseling center. Fixing a smaller problem is almost always easier than fixing a big one.
12.Stay on top of your finances and financial aid. It can be easy to forget that appointment with the Financial Aid Office or that deadline by which you had to submit a simple form. Stick to a budget, budget, budget!!!

***You "can" have fun, it's "not" all work; but by all means give it your all your Freshman year for this is probably the hardest year; NOT just the course-work; but adjusting to being on your own!!!
Good luck!!!

 

[rareboy]

...and I'm fucking terrified. Any words of advice or reassurance?

Everyone else starting this year is terrified too?

Just have fun. Work hard. Be disciplined. Have fun.

 

[star-warrior]

12.Stay on top of your finances and financial aid. It can be easy to forget that appointment with the Financial Aid Office or that deadline by which you had to submit a simple form. Stick to a budget, budget, budget!!!

This, I wholeheartedly agree with. One of the problems getting towards the end of the semester or the scholastic year is running low on funds if you've not kept an eye on how you've let all that money disappear. Keep on top of everything by budgeting. If you find you can't concentrate in your dorm room, then find a quiet place in the library at least once a week to go over how much you've spent and how much you've got left.

Also, eat as well as you can. Breakfast is very important, so don't skip it before class, it helps you concentrate.

When you're studying, review what you've learnt that day, and don't leave it. Things have a habit of being understandable in class, but after a week of procrastination, you can find you have to really sit and concentrate over it. Reviewing whilst it's still fresh in your mind helps a great deal. Retention of material depends on how much you understand it.

But I'm being boring. Have fun, and like the other say, managing your time is now in your hands, so if you're gonna fit in a load of stuff in the week, you have to keep tabs on what you have and how to spend it.

 

[braex27]

KTL,

Trust "us", ALL the freshmen are quite nervous, so don't feel alone here!!!

You've already received some great pointers; but let me add my 2-cents if you will (they may over-lap a bit) lol

1. Ask for help. Students forget that professors are there to help them and more often than not, professors pass the semester without any visit from their students. Do this especially if you are having difficulty.

2. Bring related stuff to class or to the professor. This will show that indeed you have an interest that goes beyond the classroom. Professors like that tremendously. (sounds lame but it works!)

3. Turn off your cell phone. Never, ever, answer or look at your cell to check who is calling you, and worse, to play games while the class is going on. This shows disrespect and no professor will take it with a smile. Also, don't eat in class. Profs pay attention!

4. Don't have parallel conversations. Remain focused. Talking in class is a no-no, unless you are between tasks or group activities. Sending paper notes is even worse. High School is over. This is another ball game altogether.

5. Go to class. Being a Freshman, they expect to lose upwards of 50% or more of you!

6. Participate in events early on -- especially during Orientation So roll your eyes if you must, but go.
7. Don't go home every weekend. But going home every weekend prevents you from connecting with other students, getting comfortable with your campus, and making it your new home.
8.Take risks. Do things that are outside of your comfort zone. You went to college to learn new stuff, right?
9.Sign up for a class you know nothing about. Just because you're pre-med doesn't mean you can't take a course in astronomy. Expand your horizons and take a subject you never even considered.
10.Learn how to say "no." This may be one of the most challenging skills to learn when you're first in school. But saying "yes" to everything that sounds fun, interesting, and exciting will lead you to trouble. Your academics will suffer, your time management will be horrible, and you'll burn yourself out.
11.Ask for help before it's too late. Colleges are generally pretty good places; no one there wants to see you do poorly. If you're struggling in a class, ask your professor for help or go to a tutoring center. If you're having a hard time adjusting, talk to someone in the counseling center. Fixing a smaller problem is almost always easier than fixing a big one.
12.Stay on top of your finances and financial aid. It can be easy to forget that appointment with the Financial Aid Office or that deadline by which you had to submit a simple form. Stick to a budget, budget, budget!!!

***You "can" have fun, it's "not" all work; but by all means give it your all your Freshman year for this is probably the hardest year; NOT just the course-work; but adjusting to being on your own!!!
Good luck!!!

^ is really really good, constructive advice.

I just wanted to say good luck - all the best.

 

[bounder]

They can smell fear and will eat you alive! Run!!!!

But seriously, relax. It feels like a big deal now, but hopefully you'll get over that pretty soon. You'll run into what I liked to call proximity friends. Those are the people that live right next to and you're friendly with because you're all new. Some of those people might turn out to be lasting friends, others you won't even talk to by the end of the semester.

I don't know how many people you know at the college already, but do things that help you meet people. For me, I liked to play basketball, so going to play some pick-up games was a great way to meet some non-Freshmen. Also, in the first few weeks of the semester, don't be shy about sitting with a bunch of people you don't know at the dining hall (but be polite and ask them if you can sit first!).

It's college. Be the person you want to be, and associate with the people you want to associate with.

Oh yeah, get your work done. You're in college to get an education.

 

[theatreboi]

I just graduated and this is my advice:

Only take classes that you're interested in. Try and overlap as many requirements per class as possible.