Back-to-school season is officially here, and college freshmen are about to embark on what has long been called the “best four years of your life.” As exciting as college is, navigating the waters of a new environment can be scary and lonely but don’t worry, HBCU Buzz has got you! Here are five tips to survive your freshman year at college.
Prioritize your Education, Keep Your Grades Up
Start your freshman year off with good grades and land a high GPA. You’ll thank yourself later when you’re not spending the next four years trying to recover from a bad freshman year GPA. It might seem hard trying to balance academics with fun, but remember why you’re there and make the best of it by finding friends you can study with. Go to class, build a relationship with your professors, ask for assistance when needed, and stay on top of due dates by simply reading the class syllabus.
Get Out Your Room and Go to Events
During your freshman year, there are going to be several events catered to the freshman class, go to them! This is a great opportunity to meet people and get adjusted to your new home away from home. Cast your fears aside and go it alone if you have to, you don’t want to miss out on forming lifelong friendships and maximizing your college experience.
Find a Mentor
Having a mentor to steer you in the right direction during college has been very beneficial for many students. Finding the right mentor your freshman year can help guide your path regarding campus life, career advice, and personal matters. Some campuses may offer mentoring programs for students to connect with potential mentors, while some students may have to go out and find their mentors themselves. Students should consider what they want in a mentor and connect with upperclassmen, professors and faculty members, or alumni who align with their values.
Get Involved! Find Clubs and Orgs on Campus
Find ways to serve your campus and make your mark early on by looking into organizations and clubs freshmen can join. You may also consider impacting your class by becoming a student leader with a position in SGA. Whatever you choose, make sure you make an informed decision and commit to it.
Be Optimistic
They don’t call college the “best four years of your life” for nothing, embrace the college experience and be optimistic about the journey. These are the times that you’ll look back on fondly for years to come. Your college experience is what you make of it, so make it count, make lots of memories and go in with a positive attitude.
Your freshman year can become one of the best years of college by following these tips. You only get to do it once, so take it all in and enjoy this awesome opportunity of reinvention. We wish all incoming freshmen the best of luck this school year!
