21 Freshman Advice

By: Shayna Griffith Staff Writer

Advice for Freshmen

To Do Today's Goal

Your first year in college can be an exciting new experience: you’re starting a whole new chapter in your life where you can experience independence for the first time, meet new people and have a huge opportunity to shape your future career. All things considered, however, college as a whole can be a stressful and overwhelming experience, especially as a freshman.

As I’m getting prepared to graduate, find a job and start my life in the "real world," there are many things I wish I could go back in time and tell my freshmanself. Luckily, with four years of experience, I can pass the knowledge on to current and upcoming freshmen. So, if you are starting your college experience this year, I have some advice for you.

Ask for Help

The most important thing I have learned in college is that it is okay to ask for help whenever you need it. Things like tuition and financial aid can be hard to understand and filling out form after form is just annoying. Being a first-generation college student, I had no idea how the FAFSA worked or how to even fill it out. At first, I tried to do it all myself, which quickly became a daunting task. So, I reached out to the Registrar here at the University of St. Francis (USF) to help me with my financial aid, and it was shocking how easy it became once I just asked for help. No question is a stupid question, so ask it! It will save you so much stress in the long run. This next piece of advice may seem obvious, but you would probably be surprised at how many people don’t follow it. Use a planner and write things down! I cannot stress enough how important it is to stay organized and keep a planner in college. Unlike high school, you will have a much bigger workload, especially if you’re a student athlete or have a job outside of school. Keeping everything organized mentally is a good way to get overwhelmed and stressed out, so planning things out on a schedule or calendar can make it so much easier to handle. I started using a planner my freshman year, and now I do not know what I would do without it. Write down due dates, deadlines, meetings, study sessions or anything else you think is important to remember. If you have a particularly hard time staying organized, you can also set reminders on your phone for the really important stuff.

One of my favorite parts of college has been the organizations I have been involved in. During my freshman and sophomore years, I was so focused on getting good grades that I forgot about the fun parts of college— getting involved in clubs and organizations. Admittedly, it is important to maintain good grades, but it is also important to use your time in college to meet new people and make new friends. One of the best ways to do that is through clubs. Here at USF, there are so many different kinds of clubs and organizations, you should not have trouble finding one right for you. If you can’t, make your own club! Despite what it may seem, studying is not the only thing there is to do. On the same note, pay attention to events the university holds, as these can be great opportunities to network and learn outside of classes.

Advice for Freshmen

Don't Forget

A big part of college is your major and your specific career aspirations. However, so many college freshmen simply do not know what they want to do for a long-term career, which is completely fine! During my time in college, I knew I wanted to work in communication, but I had no idea what I wanted to do specifically. Talk to your advisers and professors about any career concerns you may have. They are here to help you with exactly that. At the end of the day, though, we are still so young, it is completely reasonable to not have a clear idea of our future. Realize that is okay and that if your career goals change, which they most likely will, do not let it discourage you.

Finally, perhaps the most important piece of advice I can give you: TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF! By this, I mean taking care of yourself physically and mentally! Yes, college is stressful and hard at times, but you should never compromise your mental health for college. Especially in the ongoing pandemic, it is more important now than ever to put your health first. According to the American Psychological Association, 87% of Gen Z college students reported that their education is a significant source of stress. So, when you feel worried or anxious, know that you are not alone and that there is always a solution. Take a day to rest and recover so you can get back to enjoying your college experience. College is such a unique experience for everyone, and we have to remember that we are privileged to receive an education. It will be stressful and demanding, but if you follow my advice, it can also be fun and exciting.