{"id":3063,"date":"2016-11-16T10:16:06","date_gmt":"2016-11-16T15:16:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.farmingdale.edu\/sites\/rambassadors\/?p=3063"},"modified":"2016-11-11T10:19:07","modified_gmt":"2016-11-11T15:19:07","slug":"how-to-survive-freshman-year-of-college","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogsdev.farmingdale.edu\/sites\/rambassadors\/2016\/11\/how-to-survive-freshman-year-of-college\/","title":{"rendered":"How to survive Freshman year of college"},"content":{"rendered":"

So, you\u2019ve finally made it to college. No more raising your hand to go to the bathroom, no more hall passes, no one to tell you that you can\u2019t chew gum in class and of course, no one can take your cellphone and you don\u2019t get detention for skipping class! BUT the war is not over yet, you\u2019ve just switched battlegrounds! Freshman year of college is very much like freshman year of High School, yet, it\u2019s not because it\u2019s very much like the real world. Your first year of college, will most likely feel like an emotional roller coaster. Unless you already have exposure to the college setting, you may feel like you\u2019ve entered another country and everyone expects you to know what is going on\u2026 at all times. In my first semester of college, I went back to my high school (after the first month) to find my favorite chemistry teacher, so I could complain and seek his sympathy for my unexpected \u201cstruggles\u201d. But looking back, I realized that I might have overreacted just a little. College is challenging, but that is our call to rise to the challenge and transition into the real world. As a student who survived freshman year of college, I would like to offer some advice and tips that I\u2019ve learned along the way! Here are some of the most essential things I thought would be helpful to you:<\/p>\n

\"christina-buchanan-how-to-survive-freshman\"<\/a><\/p>\n

*Deadlines!<\/u><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

First things first, know when everything is due! It will benefit you well if you invest in a planner of some sort. In high school, you were probably given a planner to help you stay organized, but in college, the responsibility falls on you to find your own way to stay on top of things. Of course, not all students like the idea of carrying around a planner, but fortunately this is the 21st century and you probably have some type of technological device or access to one. Therefore, using apps like myHomework Student Planner,<\/em> Pocket Schedule, iStudiez pro <\/em>or even Google Calendar<\/em> will keep you ahead of the game.<\/p>\n

*Don\u2019t skip class!<\/u><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Unless you know all the material for the class you plan to skip, you should never be skipping a class. Let\u2019s face it, you are the one paying your college tuition. Don\u2019t waste your money by not going to class. You have the opportunity to ask questions about things that you don\u2019t understand (as opposed to searching Google all day and night for the answer to that one question that no one\u2019s ever done before). With all seriousness, you will genuinely learn more by going to class than you would by teaching yourself the topic. If anything, you just might learn something you never knew before. Also, most professors like to see that their students are taking the interest to come to class and prepared to learn. Your professors are being paid to answer your questions and help you get a good grade in class, but that can\u2019t happen without you!<\/p>\n

*Rent textbooks!<\/u><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

If renting textbooks didn\u2019t make it to the top 5 must do\u2019s, then we would have a serious problem (and it would be absolutely acceptable for you to question my survival skills) but not to fear, it\u2019s my survival skills are on point! About 70 percent of undergraduates are able work while attending college1<\/sup>, full-time and part-time. However, factors like buying food, paying for gas (not to mention random car problems) or even going out with friends can really add up. In addition, the other 30 percent of unemployed undergraduates will find it difficult to foot the bill for textbooks without depending on their parents for help. Renting textbooks is an amazing way to save money and spend efficiently. Companies like Amazon and Cheggs make it possible for students to have quick and easy access to rented material. Amazon even offers a student membership, which is actually half the price of the regular membership, free two day shipping. Best of all, they will ship the book back for free at the end of the semester. If you really can\u2019t afford any of these options, find out if your school or local library have the textbook(s) you need. Most schools will have the textbook that your course requires on reserve, where you can borrow the book for a few hours. This is an excellent opportunity for you to photocopy those pages or chapters and print them for class.<\/p>\n

*Don\u2019t fall behind in class!<\/u><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Falling behind is a course, especially a really tough class, will feel like swimming in the ocean…except, you don\u2019t know how to swim. I will admit, some classes have a steady pace and will feel like you\u2019re running a marathon. However, some classes cover a lot of material in a short period of time and if you don\u2019t study the material ahead of time or keep up as the topics are being taught to you, you\u2019ll find yourself trying to learn a whole bunch of material a day before the exam. Practice going over the material that was taught in class before the next session, because material usually builds from previous materials.<\/p>\n

*Make new friends!<\/u><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Last but certainly not least, get involved in activities going on around campus. Join a club that interests you. This is a great way to make new friends and gain more experience. Get to know your roommate(s) if you have any, because at the end of the day, that is the person you\u2019re sharing a room with and getting to know what that person likes and dislikes is certainly a step in the right direction towards friendship.<\/p>\n

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*Honorable mentions: <\/u><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n