This past fall, I was a Freshman Academy Coach (find out more about that program here), and I got asked for my best advice to freshmen a lot, and I’m pretty sure I gave a different answer every time. There are so many amazing new opportunities in college that it’s hard to narrow down what the most important piece of advice is, so here are my top few tips.
1. Learn to manage your time. This is probably the single most important skill I’ve developed since coming to college. This is also the key to being able to accomplish all my other tips. You’ve probably all seen this pyramid that you can only choose two of these things while in college, but that is simply not true!! It takes good time management and knowing when to say no to do these things, but it is possible to have all three. My best time management tips are to make lists and prioritize my responsibilities, but find what works for you!
2. Join a club or organization. Whether it’s something you already do in high school, a sports team, a sorority or fraternity, a professional organization, a research lab, or something totally new, this is a great way to find people who have similar interests. On this note, another great piece of advice is to get to know upperclassmen. These are going to be your best resources for advice, help in class, and great connections in the future.
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3. Don’t forget to have fun. Engineering is hard. College can be overwhelming at times. The most important piece of advice I have is to not let that get in the way of you having some fun. Take a day off every once in a while. Don’t fret over one or two bad grades. DO NOT MISS A FOOTBALL GAME. You only get to be a freshman once, so make sure you enjoy it!
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- Football Season.
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- Visiting Knotts Berry Farm!
