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What I Wish I Knew as a College Freshman



10 thoughts on “What I Wish I Knew as a College Freshman

    1. hello, Gail! I also had a similar problem in college. Because of my shyness, I always suffered. Lack of communication, and fear of joining clubs. Everything is just like you. I was helped by one article – https://www.wikihow.com/Overcome-Shyness. Fortunately, I lived in a room with two more guys who always helped me to communicate with the community. Once they noticed that I ordered my essay on the written service. They were very upset. I was ashamed of my act and I did not do it anymore. I was on the verge of a relegation and such a misdeed would have obviously played a cruel joke on me. Fortunately everything ended well.

  1. I always look back on my freshman year and wish I knew some of these tips then. One thing that I always suggest to people starting college is to make friends with atleast one person in every class. You will then have someone to study with, exchange notes, and catch you up on lectures if you have to miss a class. And you will have new friends to hang with on campus and on the weekends!!

  2. Aside from the residence hall tip, everything above applies to junior and senior high school too. It’s never too early to start!

  3. When you get out of college, you are going to search for a job. It is important to build your networks while in college so that you can tap the hidden job market as well as have solid references. Do this through campus engagement, internships, volunteering, clubs, etc. I have recently been interviewing recent grads and I am shocked and amazed about the attire/grooming appearing before me for a highly visible position. Sure, you want to be your own person – but it is important to understand corporate culture and the industries to which you are applying and tailor your look for the workday accordingly.

  4. Don’t declare your major too soon, and try to pick as specific a major as possible; if you like political science, why not try majoring in public administration or public policy instead?

    If at all possible, go away to school– far enough away that you can’t go home to do laundry. Then, be cognizant of differences between you and friends from home who didn’t go away to school. Regardless of the differences in your schools, you’ll have totally different experiences, both of which will likely cause some resentment.

    Easier said than done, but if at all possible, opt for the unpaid internship in your field of interest rather than the paying job at the mall. That hourly job at the Gap makes your beers easier to obtain, but the experiences you have at jobs in your field could help you decide to fine-tune (or scrap entirely!) what you have in mind for your future; not to mention, your contacts you could end up helping you loads in the future, whether in grad school or in your career.

    Don’t be a jerk. Don’t talk too much. Don’t be the person who never volunteers (information or time or help). Find something you love and be a booster for it. You know, all the stuff you should do in life anyhow. 🙂

  5. Treat school like a job. 15 credit hours = 15 hours in class. 15 in class = 15 out of class. + 10 more hours in extra tough weeks, and you have “worked” a 40 hour work week. A part time job for 20 hours, and you are at 60 hours for a week. Many working stiffs do more than 60 a week. College is very attainable, if you are willing to be disciplined.

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