Are you starting college this upcoming fall? Or beginning the college process? Or maybe you know you want to go to college but the idea still makes you nervous? Or are you just curious about what this blog has to say? If you answered yes to any of these questions, keep reading! I’m here to share 7 things I wish I knew before starting college that would have made adjusting to college life a lot easier.
#1. How to properly manage my time and schedule
This is the biggest thing I wish I knew before college because not having this skill led to chaotic schedules and unnecessary stress. College students juggle so many things—club meetings, tests, office hours, work, classes, papers, and more. Managing your time efficiently helps you stay organized, reduce stress, and save time and energy. Some of my friends use apps like Notion or Google Calendar, while others use a whiteboard in their room. Personally, I combine Google Calendar, a physical planner, and a whiteboard. My Google Calendar holds my full schedule, my planner is for school-specific tasks, and my whiteboard tracks general deadlines or monthly events. I recommend finding a strategy that works for you before college so you have a consistent, comfortable way to manage your time.
#2. Plan a schedule that is realistic to who you are
Don’t create a schedule that you’re unsure you’ll actually commit to. For example, if it was hard to get up in high school, try to minimize the number of morning classes you have. If you’re not a morning person, don’t cram all your classes into the morning. This will likely make you feel unmotivated and might even lead you to skip classes, since it won’t align with your internal clock. If you’re someone who gets tired toward the end of the day or week, scheduling difficult classes, labs, or workshops in the evening or on Fridays might make them hard to attend consistently. You want your schedule to work for you, not against you.
#3. It’s ok to do things alone
If you’re interested in a club or extracurricular activity and none of your friends seem to be, it’s completely okay to go alone! There were times when I wanted to attend practices for the rugby team, but none of my friends were interested in rugby. I ended up going alone and had a great time playing rugby while making new connections with teammates. Sometimes, I’d feel like other friend groups were always doing things together, but because my friends and I had different interests, that wasn’t the case for me. For example, as an ASL major, I had to attend many events alone, but I ended up making great friends at those events.
#4. Try to find a mentor within your career
Navigating classes and trying to get opportunities for a potential career can be difficult. However there is always someone before you who has gone through a similar path. This can be helpful because being a part of certain majors or career paths can be stressful, however having an upperclassmen, graduate student, or faculty to guide you can take away many of these worries. Mentors can not only provide you with advice on classes you should take or career choices, but they can point you in the direction of great resources. If you are struggling in a class, looking for extracurriculars, or trying to find your community on campus, a mentor can be of great help.
#5. Do research on the different resources your school offers
The University of Rochester has an abundance of resources that can be helpful to students across all majors and career paths. However, it’s important to do research to find this information. Checking the school’s website, exploring webpages related to your potential major, and attending virtual student panels are all great ways to gather the necessary details. I’d also recommend not being afraid to connect with current students on social media to ask about their experiences and the resources they’ve personally used. Additionally, there are many hyperlinks on the school’s website that can direct you to important resources or contact information for people who can help point you in the right direction.
#6. Don’t just pack basic clothes
While sweatpants and hoodies are my go-tos for classes, there will be times when these just won’t cut it. If you ever need to attend a formal event, it’s important to bring formal or business casual clothing. It’s also essential to have formal clothing that’s suitable for Rochester winters. I remember attending a formal event once, and the shoes I was wearing weren’t the best for walking in the snow. Overall, there are more formal events in college than you might expect, so make sure you pack a variety of clothing styles.
#7. Try to find your own community early
In your first year of college, you will likely feel homesick at some point. What I found helpful was finding a community on campus. Although it can be difficult, try to put yourself out there and join clubs that interest you. It can also be helpful to engage in discussions, participate in icebreakers, and ask your classmates for help. This can help you build connections with people who may share the same major as you. During Welcome Week, there will be many opportunities to make friends, so make sure to take advantage of them and put yourself out there.