Universal Advice For College Freshmen

So, you’re starting college. Congratulations! You might have wondered your whole life: what is college really like? Is it going to be just like in the movies, or a total disappointment? What will my roommate be like? So many questions will be spinning around your brain, but don’t worry – we’re here with some sage advice for any college freshman who’s feeling a little nervous about the university experience.

As a college freshman, you have two jobs: keep up with your schoolwork and have fun. That’s it. Remember those two things, and you’ll be set for your first year of college. You aren’t meant to have it figured out at this stage – just keep up, try what you want, and prioritize having a blast (within reason!).

Want more universal college advice for freshmen? Read on to find out three tips that’ll steer you right in your freshman year of college.

Budget. Budget. Budget.

Whether you are a scholarship student, a certified rich kid or are still searching for student loans for international students, budgeting is important. Super important. Learning how to budget properly is one of the most formative experiences of any young adult’s life. No matter how rich or poor you are, budgeting is a skill that will teach you discipline, forward planning, and ultimately, self-sufficiency.

How to budget as a college student? It’s hard at first! You want to blow through your college money in a few weeks flat, but believe us, at the end of those few weeks, you’ll kick yourself for being so irresponsible. Instead, set a weekly budget, using your banking app to help you. If you want a higher budget, get a job.

Remember: everyone’s nervous, not just you.

If you meet a new person at college and find them a bit, well, odd, try not to judge them straight away. Remember: everybody is trying their best to fit in, and everyone has had a different life experience to you up until this point. The way you interact with others might not be the same for them, so ensure you are kind and considerate of the way others are in the first few weeks of college. Ultimately, nervousness is the main emotion that flows through every freshman – if you bond over your nerves, you’ll make a friend for life. If you are quick to judge, you might find your college experience to be a lonely one.

Be prepared to feel overwhelmed.

Feeling overwhelmed is perhaps the most universal college freshman experience. You aren’t going to find it easy all the time – it’s as simple as that. Often, college is portrayed as “the time of your life” from the get-go; this isn’t everybody’s experience, though. Don’t think you are weird or wrong for finding college hard in the beginning – just try to ride it out, and speak to someone about how you feel if it’s all getting too much.