The Best College Freshman Advice For Your First Day At College
Looking for college freshman advice to help you navigate your first day as a college freshman? Here are the things I wish I knew on my first day at college.
I really could have used some college freshman advice when I first got to college. I remember how scared and clueless I was when starting my freshman year. I was in a place where I didn’t know anyone, and I felt completely unprepared.
There are so many things that you are just expected to know on your first day at college and it can be really overwhelming. I’m going to tell you all of the things I wish I had known for my first day as a college freshman.
After you read this post, you’ll know everything you need to know for your first day at college!
This post is all about college freshman advice for your first day at college.
The Best College Freshman Advice For Your First Day
1. Find your classes ahead of time
I can’t tell you how many of my classmates got lost on the first day and were late to class! A lot of freshman do get lost on the first day and it can be a little embarrassing.
To avoid the anxiety that can come along with getting lost and not being able to find your classes on the first day, I’d find your classes beforehand. This is something I always did if I was unfamiliar with the buildings my classes were in, and it saved me so much stress and anxiety.
2. Leave early for classes
When you first start school, you’re not really going to know for sure how long it takes to get to your classes, especially if you’re walking from your dorm. A lot of the time when walking to class, you’re probably going to end up waiting on crosswalks and getting stuck walking behind other people.
Even if you did find your classes ahead of time, you should still leave early to be safe. It is really easy to misjudge how long it will take you to get to class, and it is really easy to get lost in an unfamiliar place.
I would recommend leaving early for class and timing how long it takes to get there while you’re walking so you can start to figure out how long it actually takes to get there. Also, getting to your classes a little early will give you time to get settled before class starts.
3. Invest in a planner
On the first day of classes, most professors will give you the syllabus for the class. This is going to have all of the important dates for the class, like when things are due.
It is really, really important to write down the due dates for all of your homework in one place. Writing it all down in a planner will seriously make your life so much easier.
I really recommend getting all of your syllabi from all of your classes together after the first day and writing down all of your due dates in your planner so you can keep track as the semester goes on.
4. Act confident
You know the saying “fake it till you make it.” I feel like that is especially true on your first day of college.
Most college freshman are nervous out of their minds on the first day (I know I was). However, no one has to know that you’re that nervous. Literally just pretend you know what you’re doing and no one will spare you a second glance. Stand straight, chin up, and act confident!
Sidenote: Even if you are radiating awkward freshman vibes, it literally doesn’t matter. You won’t remember 99% of the people from your classes freshman year anyway.
Related: The most important things I learned my first year of college
5. Wait to buy your books
Before I started school, I read so many blog posts that said to wait until you get your syllabus to buy your books. So that’s what I decided to do.
However, a few days before classes started, some of my friends that I had made asked me to go with them to pick up their books. I was like “you’ve already bought all of your books?” and then came the dreaded, “yeah, haven’t you bought yours yet?”
It made me feel like I was so behind. So, I ended up panicking and going back to my dorm and ordering all of my books. I really wish that I hadn’t. I ended up not even needing some of them. It was a huge waste of what little money I had as a freshman.
Moral of the story, wait until at least the first day of classes to buy your books. Most professors give students a little grace period during the first week of school, so don’t worry about it if 90% of your class has the books and you don’t.
Also, pro tip, most textbooks nowadays will give you a free 2 week trial on the e-textbook. I definitely encourage using this before buying your books.
6. Compare textbook prices
When you find out what books you actually need and start buying them, make sure you compare the prices of what your college is selling the books vs. other places you can get them.
Colleges usually overcharge for textbooks. Most of the time, you can get them on Amazon or other websites (like z library) for so much cheaper.
Also, renting your books is usually cheaper than buying them, so do that if you can.
Related: No BS ways to make extra money in college
7. Check your email
It is super important to be checking your email before classes start.
Most of your professors will email you before classes start, so be sure to check your school email. You should also get emails if there is anything that you need to take care of with financial aid or anything else.
This post was all about college freshman advice for your first day at college.
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Those are all of the things that you need to know before you start classes! I hope these help you with your first day as a college freshman. Good luck! You’re going to do great!
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