6 Ways To Adjust To Freshman Year At SJU

Starting your freshman year of college is both so exciting and scary at the same time. You’ve been told that it’ll be some of the best times of your life, but there’s still a lot that’s unknown. Here are some tips to help you adjust to freshman year at St. John’s.

1. Don’t let your expectations get in the way.

No matter what everyone has told you about college, your experience will ultimately be different from everybody else’s. Don’t let yourself get stressed out over what you think college should be like. Just enjoy the experience and let it unfold on its own.

2. Get involved.

Getting involved is the best way to meet new people on campus, and to find people who have similar interests as you. You’ll also realize that you have more free time than you thought, so getting involved will help you to get out of your dorm and do something you enjoy.

3. Go to class.

Being in college gives you a lot more freedom than you’ve ever had before, but it’s important to use it wisely. It might be tempting to skip classes, but going to class is the best way to adjust to your freshman year. Not only will you meet different people in your classes by going regularly, but it will also help you keep a schedule. College classes are also way different than high school classes, so going regularly will help make the adjustment less intimidating. You also never know what day your professor will drop some helpful hints.

4. Don’t let social media trick you.

You’ll probably see a bunch of your high school friends’ Instagram posts of them at school having fun, but don’t let that trick you into thinking that they’re having a better college experience than you. They are probably still trying to adjust just like you, and most likely, they have the same anxieties about college that you do.

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5. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Don’t let your stress get the best of you. It’s okay to ask for help if the adjustment or homesickness is becoming too much. It’s better to get ahead of it and talk to someone; who knows, they might have gone through the same thing or have some advice to really help.

6. Do something for yourself.

This may sound cliché but it’s so important to remember to take care of yourself and make time for the things you love. Do something nice for yourself each day whether it’s going to the gym, watching your favorite show on Netflix or getting a coffee. This will help relieve stress and make the adjustment easier.