Transitioning from high school to college can be exciting and daunting at the same time. After all, college is very different from high school. You’ll be a lot more independent, you’ll have more control over the courses you take, and your schedule will be much different.
You may also find that you have quite a bit of time between classes to do things like get a part-time job or spend time with your friends to keep your social life active. With all of these changes in freshman year, you might be feeling a little insecure, and that is totally normal. Keep reading for a few tips that might help you navigate this process more easily.
Put Your Focus on Your Studies
Remember, you are in college to study in an effort to prepare for the career that you have chosen. Even if you are undecided when you start out, you should put your focus on your studies. This means taking courses that you need, as well as those that interest you. That way, you can be fascinated by what you are learning and you can actually look forward to going to class.
Bear in mind that some classes will be a lot harder than others, and some won’t be as fun or interesting as others. This is to be expected, but you should still dedicate the time that is necessary to succeed in each course.
By putting your attention and effort into your studies, you will be able to figure out if you are on the right track when it comes to the career that you want to pursue. You might, for instance, discover that you want to take a different path by enrolling in a different program altogether. That’s completely fine, and there’s nothing wrong with it!
Make Time to Take Care of Yourself
Because classes are long and your professors might give you a lot of assignments to complete, you will likely find yourself spending the majority of your time on studying, reading, and doing what you need to do to perform well at school.
This can leave little time for taking care of your body and mind. However, it is ultra-important that you make it a point to stay physically active, and that you take breaks to support your mental health too.
If you find that you are starting to burn out because of the effort that you are putting into your studies, take a step back and figure out what you could do differently.
You might need to drop a course so you take four instead of five in a semester, as one example. Or, you might need to change your schedule to allow for more time to head to the gym, go for a walk, or go out to lunch with friends to unwind. It’s all about balance!
Always Remember to Take Steps to Keep Yourself Safe
Finally, no matter where you are attending school, bear in mind that crimes can and do happen right on campus. Although this can be unnerving, there are many ways to keep yourself safe. Nuwber has a great article on some of the safest colleges in the country, and attending a school that takes your safety and security seriously is a smart first step.
Become familiar with the security systems in place at your college, as well as the staff that is available to help you stay safe on campus and in your dorm. Know who to call for help when you need it, and keep your personal belongings as secure as possible to prevent theft.
Once you get into the swing of things, you’re sure to love your freshman year of college!