If you are preparing for your first year at college or attending grad school to further your education, you may be excited about what the next few years have in store. Before making long-term plans, you must ensure that your first few weeks and months as a first-year student go smoothly.
High school graduates spend months anticipating the moment they will enter their new life as college students. Whether they go with usc student housing off campus or live in the dorms for the first year, the college experience is so different from what they have experienced in the past.
We have compiled a helpful list of tips for all incoming college students, regardless of where in the United States you are attending school. Below are five things to remember ahead of your first year at college.
1. Find a Place to Live
Before you plan the courses you will take and the clubs you may join, you must tie up a place to live. Dorms and apartments around campus will fill up quickly, with most students acting proactively and confirming their living situation within weeks of formally accepting to attend a college or university.
Your primary options are to stay in a dorm with other students or find an apartment close to campus or further away. Where you choose to stay depends on several factors, such as your budget, whether you have access to a car, and whether you prefer to stay on campus or have the freedom an apartment can provide.
If you are looking for apartments near your campus, use a reputable platform that lists available units in your area. Then you can quickly contact the landlords through the platform and apply for the apartments that appeal to you.
2. Make Friends Quickly
You can begin mingling with other new students when you get to campus as a first-year student and sort out your living situation. There are countless first-year orientation events and groups that you may want to look into if you do not know anyone on campus.
First-year students at college are extremely friendly, as everyone is in the same boat. You are arriving at a great institution from all corners of the United States (or the world) and want to make the best of this unique opportunity. Get to know people, be open when others come up to you to talk, and you will quickly find a group of friends with shared interests and passions.
3. Avoid Rushing Into Picking a Major
There is a temptation to rush ahead and pick your major to get it out. Unless you are 100 percent certain about what you want to study at college, give yourself time to explore the various available classes and programs.
If you explore what is out there, you can only be sure whether your passion and skill set lies in a particular field. You may come into college thinking a mathematics major is for you, only to discover your talent in chemistry and other science courses.
Spend your first year taking as many classes that interest you. There is nothing wrong with branching out; you always have the next three years to focus on a single or double major.
4. Explore College Clubs and Sports Teams
Attending a prestigious university is about more than being able to showcase a diploma from that school when you are applying for jobs. You also get to use the college’s outstanding facilities while mingling with other students and participating in sports events and college clubs.
There will be countless organizations ranging from political groups to charity clubs to religious meetups. You do not have to participate in an event that makes you uncomfortable, but you should broaden your horizons to discover the hobbies that may interest you.
Take part in sports events, especially if you are a talented athlete. Being on a team can help you connect with other students, while an athletic background impresses most recruiters.
5. Maintain a High GPA
While there are so many fun activities, clubs, and sports teams you can participate in during your first year of college, pay attention to your studies. Many first-year students think they can take it easy during their first-year classes, as they will make up for it during the remaining three years.
College is slightly different from high school in this respect, as the coursework can become very challenging as you enter your junior and senior years. Elite college classes are a lot of work, and getting A grades takes work, so you should take advantage of the relatively easy courses in your first and second years. Maintain a high GPA and then be in a good position after graduation.
