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FRESHMAN SURVIVAL GUIDE
Even with a summer between you, it’s
important to consider what tips and tricks are ones to keep on hand when contemplating how to survive your freshman year of college. Although the last few years may seem anything but traditional, recognizing and following new healthy habits that keep you safe without dampening the joy and excitement of the first-year experience is beneficial for both you and your peers. If you’re preparing for college, follow this freshman survival guide to find uber-classic freshman survival tips revamped with safety information and campus guidelines related to COVID-19 so you can have a fantastic and safe freshman year!
Avoid large gatherings or parties
Freshman year is all about making connections, but if we’re not all safe and cautious as we move forward in this tentatively post-COVID landscape, it won’t take much to go back into quarantine. Wherever possible, spend time with friends and classmates outdoors or in well ventilated areas— and if you haven’t already, get vaccinated and appropriately boostered! Nobody misses the sticky floors of massive parties, anyway, so next year steer clear of large parties and opt for a smaller group of closer friends for a safer and more personalized experience.
Clean, clean and clean again
Now more than ever, it’s critical to make sure that the place you’ll be living in is thoroughly clean and tidy. Not only does this help you stay on track and organized, but it also helps prevent the spread of COVID-19 and your chances of receiving it, as well as any other bothersome sicknesses. In addition, making sure that you yourself are practicing good personal hygiene is essential! Hand sanitizer and hand washing stations can be found all across campus, as well as a plethora of resources for keeping yourself and your space in tip-top health.
Set a sustainable schedule
With several different types of class options, creating a sustainable schedule can be helpful with keeping track of deadlines, in-person/remote class meetings and overall time management. Make sure you’re prepared and on time for the different things scheduled in your day, whether they’re in person or on the computer. Online tools such as Google Calendar or a physical planner can be a big help in keeping organized and managing time. It’s also a good idea to make sure you have a reliable internet connection and webcam for those remote classes!
It doesn’t hurt to start building your resume early! Remote career opportunities are now available across the world, with an array of internships and jobs being advertised almost daily. Getting a head start on your professional presence will set you apart from others while being considered for future opportunities and help you develop more relationships and connections than others. A great way to get started is create a LinkedIn profile; start connecting with and reaching out to professionals in your desired career field!
Get to know your professors
We can’t stress this enough! Way too many students don’t take advantage of office hours, where you can recieve one-on-one help from your professors—something that is extremely valuable considering the majority of them have very busy schedules. Developing relationships with your professors can lead to a whole variety of beneficial opportunities. Whether it’s online or in-person, this time with professors can prove to be a huge advantage not only in your coursework but in the long run of academia and networking as well. Each professor structures their time differently, so be sure to check on the class syllabus for open times or personal appointment information.
