Please note that if this post contains affiliate links, any sales made through such links will reward me a small commission. No extra cost.
Feeling nervous about starting your freshman year of college? Trust me I get it, and I’ve been there too. Know that you are NOT alone.
Look at the bright side!? You are beginning a NEW chapter in life. Having a little more freedom than usual, and on the road to succeed in the next four or so years of college.
Whether you just graduated High School or apart of Duel Enrollment, these college hacks are what saved my life freshman year. You are going to want to write these down!
1. Don’t procrastinate.
I know… easier said than done. But procrastination can be a major cause of stress.
When you spread your work schedule for your assignments out as a weekly task, you don’t find yourself cramming it all in at the last moment. This can cause stress and anxiety that can be prevented.
2. Prioritize good sleep.
This is a simple step that is sometimes forgotten. Sleep is a big part of restoring energy.
Don’t spend countless nights pulling all nighters, you will eventually regret it.
3. Find time to restore mental health.
Stress is a real thing. As college students, we experience more stress than we ever could imagine. Maybe you are balancing a part-time or full-time job while taking classes or worried about student loans. Whatever the case may be, it is important to find time for restoring mental health.
You can check out my blog post, “10 Ways to Implement Self-Care Into Your Daily Routine.” This post gives ways to release stress and have your little bit of “me time” everyday.
Find what give you a dose of serotonin, and implement that into every single day.
4. Be yourself.
Finding friends can be scary. Having the weight of starting over with new people on your shoulders. But you got this!
Simply be yourself. Don’t apologize for who you are. You are loved.
5. It’s okay to have a bad day.
Yes, you are allowed to feel overwhelmed with school work, or stressed about a big research paper. It is going to happen.
As classes get harder and finals come closer, you will feel so many emotions. Don’t push them away.
6. Download the app “Socratic.”
This app is a literal life saver! It is basically a faster way to use google, and it will save so much time on homework or studying!
This app allows you to take a photo, type, or use the microphone to look up a specific question you would like answered. Then, the app selectively chooses websites that contain the same information to find your answer.
This is a great hack that also helps you find other study resources like Quizlets!
7. Wait for syllabus day to buy your textbooks.
They say to purchase books as soon as you receive your class schedule, but in reality it is better to wait for syllabus day, so you can get more information.
Some professors offer a free copy of the textbook online, or they may say you won’t use a textbook at all. That is why it is important to wait.
You can have easy access to many books on Amazon, and you can rent it! You simple pay a renting fee and then return the book (free shipping) before the set date of return. So easy.
You can also join Facebook groups of the class above you. You might be able to find used textbooks for sale.
8. Have a planned schedule.
You are on your own time. You are responsible for many things in college, and staying on task is one of those responsibilities.
Some people work well with writing out their weekly agenda, so I highly recommend getting a planner or wall calendar if that’s you’re thing! Having a calendar on a computer works just as well.
9. Join a club.
A great way to meet new people is to put yourself out there! Joining a club that you are interested in will help you find your niche.
Visit your college website to look for their on-campus clubs that your school has. Some schools allow you to create your own!
10. Get study buddies.
Sometimes studying alone can be too quiet and draining, but surrounding yourself with people who also want to succeed is motivating!
This is another way to make friends and also have fun.
11. You might not need a notebook for every class.
Again, this is another reason to wait for syllabus day. For some classes I loved taking hand written notes, but in others I enjoyed using my computer.
Find what works for you before purchasing one for every class, and having excessive amounts of school supplies.
12. Map your classes out.
Take the time to understand what buildings your classes are in, and approximately how much time it will take you to get there.
For me, I always arrived 30 minutes early to walk the halls and find my classes. This is because I was a commuter student my freshman year.
Leave a Reply