Did you know that almost 30% of college students drop out of school after their freshman year?
Some of them do it because they’re not able to keep up with their academics. Others do it because they’re not sure that college is the right move for them after spending a couple of semesters in school. And then, some simply realize that they aren’t going to be able to afford at least four years of college.
If you’re getting ready to go away to college for your freshman year, there are some ways that you can prepare yourself for the experience. They’ll help ensure that you’re among the roughly 70% of college students who stick around for their sophomore year.
Here are ten key ways to prepare yourself for your freshman year of college.
1. Make Sure You’ve Selected the Right College to Attend
Are you 100% sure that you want to attend the college that you’ve selected?
You shouldn’t go to that college simply because it’s the closest one to your home or because it’s the school that your dad and mom went to. It has to be a school that you love and that you’re excited to attend.
If you’re not thrilled with your college choice, there’s a chance that you’re not going to put in the necessary work that it takes to succeed. There’s also a chance that you’re not going to take the time to soak up the full college experience.
You should be counting down the days until your freshman year begins. If you’re not, it might mean that you aren’t going to the right school.
2. Spend Time at Your College Before Your Freshman Year Starts
When you were thinking about going to the college that you eventually applied to before being accepted, you likely took a tour of it to see what it was all about. You walked through the lecture halls, the dorms, and the cafeteria and realized it was where you wanted to go to school.
That’s great. But don’t make that the first and only time you visit your college before the start of your freshman year! Try and take at least a few trips to your college so that you’re able to get a good lay of the land and find out more about it.
You might want to attend a sporting event at the school, show up for a lecture that’s open to the public, or just visit the school and walk around for a few hours. It’ll make you feel more at home and get you excited for your freshman year.
3. Figure out Your College Living Situation Well in Advance
Are you going to live in a dorm when you go away to college for your freshman year, or are you going to get an apartment off-campus?
There are pros and cons associated with both. But generally speaking, it’s often a good idea to live on campus when you’re a freshman. It’ll allow you to meet more people and get the complete college experience.
Regardless of whether you choose to live on- or off-campus, though, you should decide as soon as you can once you pick which school you’re going to go to. It’ll ensure that you’re able to find a spot in the dorms or live in an apartment that you love.
4. Get in Touch with Your College Roommate If You Can
If you’re going to a school where you aren’t going to know anyone, you’re probably going to have a roommate that you’re unfamiliar with during your freshman year.
This roommate could very well turn into one of your very best friends over time. But at first, they’re going to be a total stranger, which might make it very awkward living with them.
Attempt to reach out to your college roommate in advance of going away to school. You might even want to try and arrange a meet-up so that you can start to form a bond with them before living in the same dorm room or apartment.
5. Put Some Real Thought into What You Pack for College
One of the other reasons why you should reach out to your roommate ahead of time is so that you can talk about what you’re both going to bring to your dorm room or apartment.
You’ll need to bring clothing, shoes, bedding, toiletries, and food, no matter what. But you might not need to invest in a brand-new TV if your roommate just got one as a high school graduation gift and is going to bring it along.
You and your roommate should put some real thought into what you’re each going to bring to the table in your dorm room or apartment. It’ll prevent you from overpacking for college.
6. Learn Important Life Skills That You’ll Use While Away at College
Do you have any idea how to do your laundry? Are you familiar with what steps you’ll need to take to set up a doctor’s appointment? Have you learned how to create a budget and stick to it?
If you answered “no” to any of these questions, strive to change that before your freshman year in college. You should learn as many life skills as you can before going away to school.
If the mere idea of doing something like going to the post office leads to you banging your head against the wall and yelling, “What is certified mail?!”, it’s time for you to incorporate more life skills into your arsenal. These skills will benefit you in a big way when you’re in college.
7. Commit to Avoiding the Freshman 15 in College at All Costs
You’ve heard your fair share of jokes about the dreaded Freshman 15. But don’t be fooled: The Freshman 15 is real for many college students, and it will take a toll on you if you let it.
You’re going to be tempted to eat nothing but junk in college and to stop working out. Don’t do either of these things. If you do, you’re going to start packing on the pounds in no time and look like a completely different person when you head back home for Thanksgiving.
8. Try to Pick the Right College Major
During your freshman year of college, you’ll take most of your core classes. These classes include English, math, and science courses.
But you’ll also start to dip your toes into the water as far as your major is concerned. You should make every effort to try and pick the right major based on your personal interests and your career aspirations.
Additionally, you shouldn’t be afraid to change course at some point during your freshman year and pick a new major if your original one isn’t working out. It’s better to do that than to continue down the same path and find yourself with a degree in a field that you don’t love in four years.
9. Get as Involved as You Can on Your College Campus
There are dozens of different groups and organizations that college students can join once they become freshmen. You can sign up to be a part of your school’s student newspaper, pledge a fraternity or sorority, or do any number of other activities.
In the weeks leading up to your first day of college, check out some of the clubs that your specific school has to offer. Find out what you’ll need to do to sign up for them so that you can stay active on your college campus.
10. Make Mental Health a Top Priority in College
Mental health has turned into a huge concern for many college students in recent years. There are seemingly more college students suffering from mental health issues than ever before.
About 41% of college students admit to dealing with anxiety. About 36% say they struggle with depression. And about 25% report taking psychotropic medications to counteract mental health problems.
It doesn’t matter if you’ve never shown any signs of mental health issues before. You could very well start to exhibit them once you’re faced with the stress associated with going away to school.
Mentally prepare yourself for the issues you might face and make your mental health one of the most important things to you. It’ll make you happier and healthier throughout your freshman year and the remainder of your college career.
You Can Make Your Freshman Year of College a Year to Remember
Heading off to college for your freshman year can be an overwhelming experience. It’s an exciting time, but it’s also a time filled with a lot of change and uncertainty.
You can work your way through the process of going away to college unscathed by keeping all of the tips mentioned here in mind in the months, weeks, and days leading up to it. They’ll help prepare you for college so that you’re all ready to go from day one.