How To Make The Most of Your Freshman Year of College in Quarantine
Here are three things that are already difficult: starting college, quarantine, freshman year. Freshman year of college is already hard enough without a global pandemic making it even more difficult. College is stressful and to start your first college experience in today’s climate it’s going to be even harder to adjust. There’s no need to worry because these tips are going to help you make the most for your Freshman Year in Quarantine.
1. Be Prepared to Speak About Yourself
For the most part, your teachers are going to want you to introduce yourself in class. If it’s online or in-person just be ready to have something to say about yourself. This is your icebreaker moment for all the new people you’ll be meeting in your classes. It’ll be a great way to learn about other people in your class and even find a way to make friends through that. It can be scary having to stand in front of the class but once you share you’ll feel more comfortable in class.
2. Join A Club or Organization
I know it’s so different online to join a club or organization but it’s one of the best ways to get a great experience out of your freshman year. It’s the fastest way to make friends and find a group of people you can relate to or go to. Joining a club was the best decision I made when I started college because I had a group of people I could rely on and who helped me figure out college. It’ll be different since your clubs probably can’t meet in person but if you search for the club’s social media pages you should be able to find their joining procedure. What will probably happen is that you will be meeting online which won’t be the experience you hoped for but I say make the most of it! Speak up during the meetings and try to get involved as much as you can. The executive board in your club will notice your interest and other club members were recognize you as someone who likes to be involved.
3. Keep To A Routine
It’s going to be harder to stay on a routine since your classes might be hybrid. Staying at home will make you lazier and make it more difficult to stay on track. I recommend getting a calendar or planner that you can just get from the dollar star. You could always keep your assignments on your phone’s calendar but it’s a proven fact that handwriting things help with your memory. Try and stay organized about what is due and what assignments you need to be done. To get the best college experience always be invested in your work. You want to do your best and get good grades so you can focus on the fun things later on. Have a routine at home that would emulate your school routine so that when you get to go to school in person full time you’ll be prepared for that kind of schedule.
4. Take Time For Yourself
Don’t forget that this new environment can be very stressful. Mental health is so important in the world today and you need to take care of yourself mentally as much as you do physically. A healthy mental state leads to a healthy person. College classes are going to take time adjusting to so don’t be worried if it gets overwhelming. It’s scary when you’re not sure what’s going to happen but take it a step at a time. Some ways that can help are to keep a journal of your thoughts when you’re feeling upset. Maybe have a friend you can vent to who may be able to understand how you’re feeling. You deserve a break if you think so or not. Don’t overwork yourself because humans aren’t built to run like a machine.
5. You’re Not Alone
Even if you’re home or in a dorm, there are millions of other students all around the world who know exactly how you are feeling. Never forget you are not alone. Just a quick search online and you’ll find hundreds of thousands of people who are sad about the circumstances just like you are. You’re not the only incoming freshman. Hundreds of freshmen are starting college the same way you are. If it all get’s too much and you feel lonely then your school has guidance counselors you can turn to who will tell you the same thing. You have your peers to lean on even if you don’t know it yet.
6. Don’t Focus On What You Can’t Change
You’re coming from a high school senior year that didn’t end the way you wanted it. Now you have to enter college also the way you didn’t plan. It’s frustrating because you always imagined the perfect freshman year and now it’s not going the way you thought it would. There are so many negative thoughts that will consume you because you will constantly be thinking “Well, what if?” Take those negative thoughts and toss them out the window. Let’s focus on what you did and can change. You got into college, that’s a huge success! Congratulations! Maybe you’ve already chosen the major you want to pursue and that is amazing. That just means you’re ahead of the game. If you haven’t found a major yet that’s amazing too! It just means you get to explore all your options until you find a future career you love. There are so many wonderful things you’re going to experience in your college life. The best thing about college is that it’s what you make it. You make your schedule, you choose your future. It’s your life! Freshman year might not be what you thought it was but that’s okay because you just get to keep looking forward to what gets to change in the future.
Let us know in the comments how you’re feeling about starting college in quarantine? Share with your friends so they can learn how to make the most of their freshman year.
