How to Survive Your First Week of College as a Freshman
Posted: October 28, 2021 | Author: Abbie Cochrane | Read Time: 5 minutes
The first week of college can be a real learning experience for anyone. Between taking care of yourself, being responsible for homework and going to class, making new friends and getting along with your roommates, those first few weeks can be extremely overwhelming. Lucky for you, this survival kit for college freshmen proves that it’s less of a jungle out there than you think it is. Here are some tips to make your first week of college easier to manage.
Ten Tips for Your First Week in College
Adulting is Important
The first thing you should worry about when you get to college is where the nearest grocery store is. Be sure to set aside time to make a grocery list and head to the store every week to pick up what you need. Nowadays, lots of stores have options for online shopping and curbside pickup, so that can save you loads of time. Just make sure you are buying foods other than Takis.
Along with making healthy eating choices, be sure to get the sleep you need as well. Don’t pull an all-nighter every day of the week to study or watch Netflix. College is a lot harder when you’re falling asleep in the middle of the lecture.
Make sure you also pick a day to do your laundry. No one wants smelly clothes, so be sure to add that to your weekly agenda. Speaking of cleaning, choose a day of the week when you have time to clean your bathroom and deep clean your kitchen. Vacuum, dust, and wipe down everything so that it looks clean and nice.
Pack Your Bags
There is no worse feeling than reaching into your backpack to pull out your laptop…only to remember you left it on your desk in your dorm. Set aside a minute every night to get your backpack put together before class in the morning. Don’t overpack, but bring things that you know you will need besides your school supplies (i.e. a water bottle, portable charger, paper to write your Snapchat username on to give to that cutie in your math class, etc…). Here’s more on what to bring on your first day of class.
Get it Done
Start your homework the minute you receive it. DO NOT PROCRASTINATE! If you hate doing homework alone, get together with classmates or roomies to study together. Homework can pile up quickly, so put down the video game controller and get started.
Do Your Research
Learn about the school you’ll be attending. What activities are held that you would be interested in attending? What are some of their traditions? What do you need to do before you start school? Pretty much every college has a website for you to look at with any questions. For more information about Southern Utah University, visit the SUU T-Bird Nation Blog.
Utilize Resources
For those attending SUU, be sure to follow SUU on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook for updates on activities, or download the SUU app for daily reminders and mobile student resources. These are fast and easy-to-use ways for you to stay up to date on the goings-on on campus.
You can also find help on homework, presentations, and college life in general through SUU’s Campus Resources! There are several options for tutoring or academic/ career advising available to students, as well as mental health counseling, information about the HOPE Pantry or Dining Services, ways to access financial aid help, and so many other programs designed to help students like you get involved around campus or the community, or get some advice. All campus resources are there to help students succeed through personalized plans or involvement. For contact information on any campus service, follow the link and get started with SUU Campus Resources today.
Put Yourself Out There
College is a great place to try your hand at things you may not have considered in high school. Join clubs, sign up to volunteer around the community, go to school-sponsored events. Having something fun to do after you get your work done makes college that much more enjoyable. It’s also a great way to make new friends and try something new as a college freshman! Who knows? Maybe you’ll discover something new about yourself, too.
Ask Questions
You may have come to believe that asking questions is a sign that you weren’t paying attention when something was explained, but this is most definitely not the case. In college, your whole academic life revolves around finding answers to questions. Asking questions doesn’t mean you weren’t paying attention, it’s a sign that you want to know more.
Don’t understand that last chemistry problem? Ask your professor. Curious about signups to go donate blood? Text the number on the flyer and ask. Want to know more about school-wide events? Talk to your ACE. Everyone on campus is here to help you get acclimated to college life quickly so you can start to succeed faster.
Introduce Yourself
We get it, you’re shy and don’t like to make the first move when you talk to someone new. Well, making friends is going to be pretty tricky, especially considering that every new college freshman is in the exact same boat as you. Everyone wants a friend, so might as well take a deep breath and say hi to the people in your classes. Chances are, they’ll be super relieved that you decided to come out of your shell to let them know that you want to be friends.
Explore Campus and Your Community
Take a day to drive around town and familiarize yourself with restaurants and other places around campus. There is so much more college life has to offer that lies beyond the boundaries of campus. Go check out outdoor recreation, find a nearby library, go to a museum or a play. SUU has all these options and more for you to see. Adventure awaits those who seek it out. Follow the Cedar City Tourism Bureau to see more about what Cedar City has to offer.
You Got This!
Most importantly, don’t forget to breathe. Moving and starting college can be very stressful, but it’s important to remember that this fear and anxiety is temporary. You will get acclimated faster than you think. It’s all part of the process, so get ready for the best next four years of your life down at SUU.
For more information about SUU and tips for incoming college freshmen, be sure to check out the blog posts below, freshmen tips from a new freshman, or go to the First-Year Experience Office.
And good luck with your first week of college!
This article was published more than 3 years ago and might contain outdated information or broken links. As a result, its accuracy cannot be guaranteed.
Tags: Student Life College Prep
