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7 Pro Tips to Surviving College in Your Freshman Year

tips to surviving college

Starting college is a major step in our lives. But how does anyone know what to do when they get there? If you have questions about what to expect on campus you’re not alone.

Nearly 3 million freshmen start college each year in the United States. That means there’s a lot of people trying to survive college for the first time each year. Fortunately, lots of people have already been freshmen so there are many tips to surviving college to share.

From meeting new friends to trying new experiences, and from remembering to eat well to learning from your professors, we know you need a little help keeping it all together.

To help you do just that we’ve got this list of 7 pro tips to surviving your freshman year at college. Read on to find out the 7 things to keep in your mind as you learn to walk the halls and paths of your new campus. 

1. Step Away From the Phone

It’s a new world and you need some new friends. Look up from your phone and find someone to talk to. It can be scary, but be brave and initiate the conversation.

By talking to the people also living in your dorm building you’ll build a support network to see you through the year and maybe even longer. Some of these people will become your best friends.  

When you’re talking to all these new people you’re going to have some conversations that don’t sit well with you. Keep an open mind. But if, after thinking about it more, you still don’t like what they’re saying you don’t have to be friends with them.

2. Find a Place to Study

Remember that you’re at college to study. We know it sounds crazy to say that sometimes. But that is the purpose of the whole adventure.

Studying in a dorm room or coffee shop is hard sometimes. There’s lots of noise and distraction. Those new friends you’ve made might twist your arm into doing something other than studying.

Find a place that you like. Go there when you need to study. Physically moving to a special place to study is effective because it gets you out of spaces associated with other activities.

Oh, and don’t forget to take your textbooks with you! No good having a great study spot if you leave your books in your dorm room.

3. Eat Well

There’s going to be a lot of junk food. At times it can seem as though pizza is practically a way of life on campus. But you need to eat well, too.

Healthy eating helps keep your mind healthy. It also promotes good mental health, too. 

Dining halls and other on-campus cafeterias now carry healthy meals. Try to choose a healthy option at least once a day. This might just be one of our most important tips to surviving college.

4. Get Involved With Campus Life

Clubs, volunteering, Greek Life, and other organizations are a big part of campus life. Get involved. Go to a variety of meetings and gatherings to find something you enjoy.

It’s a great opportunity to try new things. There’s lots of information around campus and on college websites about groups to join. 

You’ll find people who share ideas and interests with you. It’s another way to make friends. 

Being a part of a club or group will also help you feel like you belong. It’s easy when you first go to college to feel separated or even homesick. Joining a group on campus will help defeat those feelings.

5. Office Hours Will Save You

Professors keep office hours for a reason. They don’t do it just to check a box on their requirements. It really can help you.

The one-on-one time you get with a professor during office hours lets you form a bond with that professor. They will give you advice and help you navigate their class and more. 

The connection you develop with them might come in handy later in the semester. If you can’t get a project done on time or you need some help with the class they will feel more agreeable to cutting you a break.

Don’t be passive during office hours. Ask them questions. You’ll learn more and you might find you enjoy the class more than you realized was possible.

6. Don’t Skip Class

8 am classes are a drag. But skipping early classes, or any classes really, will come back to haunt you. 

You might be able to find the information from that class elsewhere, but you’ll miss the stuff the professor tells you that isn’t on the curriculum. Professors provide crucial information in class that you can’t get from a book.

If you do miss a class, talk to your professor during office hours. They will appreciate your honesty.

Don’t make it a habit. Be prepared and organized. That way you’ll get to class when you should and you won’t fall behind.

7. Relax and Take a Break

Freshman year at college is stressful. Everything is new. You’re away from home for the first time, and you’re out of your comfort zone.

One of the best tips to surviving college is to pay attention to your mental health. Give a gift to yourself. Relax and take breaks.

Taking breaks in your day to give yourself some time to do the things you enjoy will pay off in the long run. These breaks will help you relax. They also give you a chance to spend time on things that make you happy.

Relaxing in a stressful environment isn’t easy. But you need to remember to chill for an hour or two from time to time. 

If you find yourself feeling too stressed talk to someone. Universities have advisers and services to help with stress. Take advantage of them, so you aren’t dealing with tough mental situations on your own.

Remember These Tips to Surviving College

You’re at college to study and get your degree. But you’re also there for the experience. Keep these tips in mind to help you enjoy your experience.

These tips to surviving college cover the various parts of campus life. From socializing to studying and beyond. You’ll need to adopt the well-rounded approach that we’ve outlined here.

One of the ways we can help is to take the stress out of getting your textbooks. Whether you want to rent, buy, or sell textbooks, we’ve got you covered. Check out our website today to see all the options we offer to get the textbooks you need to survive your freshman year.

About the Author

Christopher Manns

I was born in the UK, grew up in Canada and have lived in the USA since the 90s. I love my family, water sports, ice hockey, skiing and soccer. When I'm not helping people save money on textbooks, I'm travelling with my wonderful family and playing sports.