It has been a year since my oldest, Sophie, was about to start her freshman year of college.
I had all of these nuggets of wisdom I wanted to share with her. Some of them she already knew. She had attended boarding school for four years of high school and was used to being away. Other things would be new.
Watching her navigate her first year of college reminded me how this advice applies to all students, no matter where they go. Whether you are attending a small liberal arts college, a large university, or something in between, here are ten pieces of advice for incoming college freshmen that are universal:
1. Living with someone is one of the biggest learning experiences of college.
Whether you choose your own roommate or have a lottery that matches you up with someone, there will be inherent challenges. That is part of the process. No matter what your experience is like with a roommate, learn from it. You may not have to do it again, but it will teach you things about yourself and others that are priceless.
2. If you show the slightest hint of interest in the course you take, the professor will notice.
So, go to class. Speak up during class. Do the extra credit. Go to office hours. Ask your professor about what courses to take next year. They will reciprocate in large and small ways. You might end up getting a better grade in the class. They could nominate you for an award. They could write you a letter of recommendation. A little effort goes a long way.
3. Leave your room, not just for class, but to eat, study, and socialize.
It takes time to find your people in college. You won't find them in your dorm room. The students who force themselves to venture out will end up finding their people much sooner.
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4. The food is not great—almost everywhere.
You can absolutely complain about it. But in the end, college is about getting an education not a five-star meal. Find smaller spots on campus like the coffee shop or a lunch place that serves ingredients from the college's sustainable farm. Look for tiny holes-in-the-wall in the town where the college is located. Buy groceries instead of the meal plan. I wish the food was better in the dining halls. If it's not, look for alternatives.
5. Take courses that you never had the opportunity to explore.
They will blow your mind. While some students feel pressure to major in certain fields in college, they should still have room in their schedules to take other courses that change the way they think. You never know, you might even decide to pursue a minor in that subject or possibly double major. I remember taking an acting class my first semester of college. I was hooked and ended up minoring in it. I use that performance background every day of my life.
6. Your freshman year and your college are not going to be perfect, but that doesn't mean you need to transfer.
No college is perfect. Life isn't perfect. But if you are being stretched academically, socially, and personally, you are getting so much out of that college. Being stretched in the moment is not easy. The payoff is extraordinary. Be comfortable feeling uncomfortable.
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7. Don't wait until you are an upperclassman to join clubs, run for positions, and apply for opportunities on campus.
If you are thinking of transferring, you need to show almost immediately that you have invested in your community. And for those students who stay, getting involved early in your college experience is a domino effect for your resume. The more you do, the more opportunities will come your way.
8. Stay active.
There are a lot of high school athletes, but only a small percentage end up playing that sport competitively when they get to college. However, most colleges have many opportunities to continue a sport you love or one you want to explore—club sports, rec leagues, group classes, social clubs that revolve around sports, and modern-day fitness centers. Most of all, don't overlook the campus as your vehicle to stay active. You chose that college for how you felt when you visited. Go on a walk. Go for a run. Explore the trails. There is no better way to stay active than taking in your surroundings.
9. Don't escape.
Stay on campus. Force yourself to attend lectures, social gatherings, cultural and religious events, exhibits, and performances. It is the best thing you can do for yourself. Saying there's nothing to do is simply not accurate. Every college's calendar lists several (often dozens) of things to do every single day.
10. Call home.
Your family is usually the most supportive group you can count on when you are having a bad day or you are homesick. They are also the best people to be on the receiving end of all the good news and positive experiences in college. Thank you, Sophie, for calling me last year. I love when you FaceTime me. It is the best part of my day. Nothing makes a parent happier than when their college kid calls them.
READ MORE: What I Learned From My First Semester of College
Just like applying to college, you have to put yourself out there for the opportunity of getting admitted. You can't sit back in college (or in life) and hope things will magically come to you. Go after it. You will be better for it in the end.
