So, if you’re a freshman, grab a pen and paper, and let’s go over the realities of college life.
Understand who you are.
Now that you’ve arrived at university, there are no housemasters or other authorities to keep you in line, so you must know exactly what you stand for.
You’ll meet a lot of people from all walks of life here, and they all have different ideas, so if you don’t stand for anything, you’ll fall for everything.
Keep your excitement in check.
When most freshmen arrive on campus, the first and most annoying thing they do is tour the entire university with their new phone, taking pictures of everything.
Calm down, guys; you’ve got four years at the very least to take as many as you can.
The best course of action is to keep a low profile and observe your surroundings first. This will assist you in deciding where you want to hang out.
It’s perfectly natural to miss home.
Moving away from family and friends is jarring for everyone, and it’s natural to miss home from time to time. Remember, everyone is in the same boat and will be welcoming of one another.
Finding a balance is the greatest approach to combat homesickness. Talk to your friends and family on a regular basis, but don’t go overboard. Meanwhile, get to know the school and your living quarters; it will soon feel like home.
The dreaded ‘September Rush’ should be avoided.
This is aimed primarily for females, but it is equally appropriate for young males. Older pupils will be interested in you. You may not be used to this level of attention, and your self-esteem may be enhanced as a result, but be aware of smooth-talking individuals who have been waiting for the ‘gold rush’ when young, naive freshmen arrive on college. You should be able to read between the lines and respond appropriately.
Make sure you don’t go to parties by yourself. Things can quickly spiral out of control during a party where drugs are injected into unwary young naive ladies, so keep your eyes vigilant and don’t take any chances.
Know your bank balance
Being mindful of how much you spend will go a long way toward overcoming a typical issue among freshmen: budgeting.
Plan your budget ahead of time, taking into account what you’ll need to save for (course materials, food, bills, and transportation) and how much money you’ll have each week for everything else. Don’t waste too much money on products that can be avoided (takeaways, impulse clothes shopping…).
Be grateful for what you have.
You have no notion what makes people tick because they come from various backgrounds. That is one thing that I would highly advise every freshman to keep in mind.
Don’t be envious of what other people have since, at the end of the day, you can’t have it all.
It does not matter if you are the richest or the poorest, as long as you are not content, you will easily be led to people aimed at fulfilling your financial needs and truth be said it doesn’t end up well.
Don’t fall asleep in the middle of a lecture.
Avoid developing negative habits while taking your course; they’re difficult to break. Start the year as you mean to finish it, and you’ll be in good shape as the year progresses.
Missing any scheduled lectures, seminars, or practical sessions will have immediate consequences. These are your chances to get guidance (on how to approach your assignments or referencing), interact with topic experts directly, and learn about essential concepts and theories that will be covered in your units.
Concentrate on your objectives.
I’m sure you’re thinking, “That’s exactly why I came here.” But trust me, after a month on campus, you’ll get what I’m talking about.
You may be engrossed in campus drama, but remember that someone is working their tail off just so you may sleep in that comfortable room and receive the best education possible.
Make them proud of you instead of making them regret their decision to educate you.
You may be entitled to a bursary
You may be eligible for extra funding – check with your university once you arrive
Finally, have a good time.
You are only on school for a short period of time, and you are only a freshman once. So make the most of your time. Make a list of all the things that make you happy.
You will have a lot of spare time, so take advantage of it by engaging in your interests, which may also take you elsewhere. It’s not just about the texts in this class; it’s also about the talents you develop outside of it.
So take your suitcase and prepare to embark on your excursion with a smile. Above all, remember the Almighty God, because it is only through Him that all of this will make sense.
