How to Optimize Your College Experience: 10 Things I Learned Freshman Year
Freshman year. It seems like just yesterday we were moving in, and now we’re finished. It’s alright though, this is only the end of the beginning. Below are ten things I learned this year, ten things I learned the hard way, ten things I wish I knew at the beginning. Enjoy.
1) Academics should be a priority, but not your only priority. Those tuition dollars don’t only pay for classes, they pay for the college atmosphere, the community. This community is vital, and takes effort to build if you really want to make college your home away from home. And the character of any community depends on the people in it, so nurture your friendships and be there for others. It will take time and energy, but cultivating a love for human connection is one of the most crucial parts of college, and life.
2) Reach out. A college campus is a remarkable place. Throw together a bunch of young, diverse, curious, interesting people with a desire to learn and that’s what you get: A remarkable place. Take advantage of the fact that everyone is on campus every day. Ask people to lunch, to coffee, to chill. Not just those who are like you, but those who are different. Those who differ in race, gender, and background, but also those who differ in interests, thoughts, ideology, and worldview. Be curious to learn about others. As Jessica Hagy says, discover how unique and universal your childhood was.
3) Sometimes, make it your goal to be unproductive. Yes, you read that right. With academic, social, and extracurricular activities, you’re going to be busy. Those who have been there understand how enormous of an understatement that is. So it’s vital to take some time every now and then for yourself. Time for yourself to do absolutely nothing. To go on a walk. To bask in the sun. To workout. To admire the flowers. Whatever your cup of tea may be (tea is also an option). And don’t be afraid to do things alone – everyone’s too mature and busy to notice or care.
4) Learn how to ask for help. Life can be challenging. It should be challenging. It’s especially easy to feel overwhelmed at college. So check your ego at your dorm-room door, and welcome vulnerability with open arms. Failure, struggle, and mistakes are not weaknesses. They’re strengths, they’re human, and they help us grow. So reach out for help: To your friends, to the writing center, and to your professors. We can’t do this alone, so don’t even try, it’s not worth it. At the end of the day, you’ll be surprised how much others can relate and want to help.
5) Stay positive and motivated. It’s a mindset, and it takes time to cultivate. So find what strategies work for you. For me, I need constant reminders. I need to regularly reinforce the idea that today, and each day, is a gift. So on the back of my door at school I taped a few index cards. Before I embarked on the journey of each day, I’d read them, and try to internalize what they said: “Think success. Because today is a wonderful day. And I will succeed.” By succeed, I meant learn and grow. Figure out what works for you and do that thing.
6) Don’t get caught up in the bubble. In other words, avoid drama. Campus has a funny way of distorting reality, of turning college back into high school where the most trivial problems are of the utmost importance. Avoid this. How? By maintaining perspective and a connection with the outside world. Read the news. Go into the city. Call your Grandma. And remember that in five years, you won’t remember that C you just got on your Calc exam. Learn how to distinguish what matters from what doesn’t.
7) Don’t be afraid to change. College is time to experiment - To explore all sorts of classes, people, and activities, to cultivate new interests, and to develop your skills and abilities. So embrace change, don’t resist it. Embrace challenge, don’t resist it. Why? Because they’re both inevitable, especially at college. The only part you get to decide is which way you’ll go. Will you progress or regress? Choose the former simply by participating in what’s interesting to you. Be committed to your positive growth.
8) Understand how precious and limited your time is. Once you do, you won’t only gain the courage to quit, but you’ll learn to cut the bullshit, which can accumulate if you’re not careful. To avoid this, learn to manage your time well. This is your most valuable commodity, especially at school. Although you may feel that you need two weeks of Netflix to recuperate from midterms, don’t do that. Instead, spend time reading. Or with people. As long as it’s something that you’ll learn and grow from. In other words, try to refrain from indulging. Do today what will make you happy tomorrow. Invest your time in knowledge, people, and experiences, not TV, Snapchat, or your Facebook newsfeed.
9) You’re an adult now, take initiative. If something sounds interesting, show up. Go out of your way to see what it’s all about. The only caveat: Don’t spread yourself too thin. Though you may want to join the track team, the salsa dancing club, the school newspaper, and the entrepreneurship club, save half for next semester. Because running from meeting to meeting, you’ll sacrifice some level of depth. Instead of engaging deeply, you’ll just be completing tasks. With the other half of activities: Go for it, you may even discover a new passion.
10) Cherish your foundation. “You have treasured people, places, and things.” For me, it’s my family, friends, the Earth, and Judaism. Whatever you love, whoever has significantly influenced you, don’t neglect them. “A love ignored will wither and die.” Recall what makes you laugh, recall what makes you cry. Maintain your relationship with those things and those people. College is a time to explore new things, yes, but remaining grounded is vital.
Hope you enjoyed. Subscribe below to get these thought-provoking ideas every Thursday straight to your inbox.
Special thanks to Gabe Goldstein and Maytal Babajanian for their invaluable help in writing this post.