I have finally made it through my first college finals, Christmas break, and one complete semester of college. It's easy to say that I am proud of myself. No longer am I the newbie curiously walking around campus looking for my classes, but rather just a student in my second semester of college. Not like the transition to Coe was hard in the first place because of how amazing it is here, but still- it feels good!
I was more than ready to back to campus after the month long Christmas break we had. I needed to get back into routine, see my friends, and I actually missed my bed here! Not only that, but now I can get back to sharing with you all my experience as a College freshman.
Throughout my first semester and over break I started making a list of things that I learned during my first semester as a Kohwak. Many of these pertain to soon-to-be college freshman, and even those all ready in college now. Some of these items listed I wish I would have known earlier....
1. Start saving money now. Get a job, two jobs even. You'll definitely appreciate later when you experience what it's like to not have your parents giving you a $20 bill to go to the movies or out to dinner.
2. Stay in touch with old friends, but don't be scared to make new ones. I have friends in high school that I know I will be friends with the rest of my life, but same goes for college. There will be a lot of new faces, so take advantage of a potential new start and beginning for yourself.
3. Be prepared for the lovely Iowa weather. For example, yesterday it was 50 degrees and raining- today it was 15 degrees and A LOT of snow. Enough said.
4. Take advantage of ever study group, tutor, and teacher help that you can get. If you go to Coe you'll be lucky enough to have a relationship with your teacher and go into their offices to talk to them.
5. Get involved! I couldn't stress this point enough. Whether its joining a student group or committee (We have over 90) or even just getting an on campus job- anything and everything helps when it comes to finding your "nitch."
6. Don't procrastinate. In college you have way more free time- but all of that time should be spent reading, studying, or getting ahead. I learned this the hard way.
7. Invest in a planner, sweatpants, and a highlighter. A planner so you can attempt to get your life together when you feel like you have a lot to do, a highlighter to help organize notes (and you can highlight in the textbooks), and sweatpants because honestly you won't wear much more to class. It's not high school anymore... jeans are a rare thing. I suggest wearing leggings, sweatpants, yoga pants, gym shorts, t-shirts, and sweatshirts.
8. Watch what you eat and work out. In college you'll have a buffet of food at your fingertips for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Do not pile a bunch of food on your plate, you will gain weight...and on one wants the freshman 15, right? So get up and walk, run, work out, do the elliptical, lift weights- whatever it takes to keep your figure where you want it.
9. You're mos likely going to take classes you hate- embrace it, do your best, and move on with your life.
10. Learn to write notes....fast. Professors won't wait for the class to get done before switching slides or moving on to the next topic, so learn how to copy down the most important facts.
Lastly, Have fun! College is already so much better than high school, and I still have 3 and a half years left to experience it. Take these tips into consideration while continuing your college search. And to those not in school anymore- I bet these little pieces of advice still hold true.
With love,
Alexis
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