Arriving at Texas State can be a transformative experience, filled with a mix of emotions including excitement, nervousness, and fear. As confident high school seniors, we become anxious freshmen as we navigate the University’s campus, searching for our classes and occasionally getting lost. Even after spending a few months in college now, there are still times when we need help with certain matters.
Despite being in our first semester with only five weeks left, we still seek advice on surviving freshman year in college. While I may not be an expert as a freshman myself, I have gathered tips from research and conversations with friends and family who have experienced their own freshman years in college. Hopefully, these tips can provide assistance throughout the year.
Body: Upon entering college, many of us lack acquaintances, which can make it daunting to establish friendships without seeming overly eager. Sharing our entire life story right away may create the wrong impression. Instead, it is advisable to start by disclosing basic details such as our name, hometown, and reasons for selecting Texas State. As we build a bond with someone and recognize that we have formed a friendship, we can progressively reveal more about ourselves.
To prevent others from losing interest, it is crucial to refrain from oversharing information. One way to do this is by introducing yourself to individuals on campus, whether in class or in the lobby of your residence hall. Make an effort to initiate a conversation with at least one unfamiliar person daily. While this may not result in close friendships, it offers a chance to meet someone new. Some of us may have neglected this advice upon our initial arrival.
At first, I hesitated to participate in this activity because of my shyness and fear of being judged. I worried that randomly approaching others and asking to be friends would make me seem odd. However, with the help of collegiate.mom’s guidance, I have gained valuable insights on enhancing social interactions with people we meet. Hopefully, you have also acquired this knowledge for future engagements.
Moreover, now that we understand how to form friendships, let’s explore approaches for getting involved in more college activities.
Often, we come up with excuses for not joining clubs, citing busyness or concerns about academic performance. However, it is crucial to actively seek out opportunities in order to avoid feeling confined to our dorm rooms like prisoners. Engaging in various activities such as community volunteering, fraternity or sorority involvement, intramural sports participation, or engagement in residence life can be both enjoyable and effective ways to make new acquaintances. According to coelenterate.com, opting to join a club during the initial year at a California college could prove advantageous.
Deciding not to participate in any intramural sports in my dormitory this semester resulted in me missing out on the chance to make lasting memories and develop new friendships. At first, I thought I didn’t have sufficient time or interest, but seeing my friends enjoying themselves playing flag football and volleyball made me realize that I had made an error. Now, I recognize that if I had joined, I would have had ample time for practices and games. Going forward, I will ensure that I partake in spring intramural sports next semester.
Despite any shyness or doubts, it is important to not let them hinder your participation in clubs as you may find joy in joining a fraternity or playing an intramural sport. Personally, I regret not getting involved earlier and now realize the extent of fun I missed out on. It is essential to remember that our education is the reason we chose Texas State and it holds great value worth the financial investment. Therefore, maintaining good grades should be a priority. While I am not suggesting excessive studying, we must prioritize our academic needs.
Although I am not your mother and you are free to do as you please, it is important to understand that staying up late watching Nettling, attending super cool frat parties, or hanging out with friends at two in the morning will not contribute to achieving good grades. While I may not be the type of person who constantly goes wild and parties, even small distractions can affect me.
I would rather nap or watch TV instead of starting my studying or completing homework that is due the next day. It is crucial to avoid procrastination. Just because I procrastinate, it does not mean you should too. Currently, I have received Bi grades in all my classes, but my objective is to achieve all As. If I decide to party or simply neglect studying, I will be unable to reach this goal. In conclusion, these “tips” will not only help us during our first year of college but also throughout our entire college experience. To succeed in our freshman year, we must make friends, get involved, and maintain good grades.
Starting out can be intimidating when it comes to making new friends. However, as you become more familiar with people, things start to get better. Moreover, instead of isolating yourself in your room, try getting involved in different clubs or activities. Lastly, remember to enjoy yourself while also maintaining good grades because being told that you won’t be able to return next year due to a low GPA is a terrible experience. As upperclassmen, we can help freshmen who are in the same situation by sharing these tips. By following these suggestions, we can all successfully navigate our freshman year.
