Your freshman year in college is really the most important. For one thing, it is the year that you choose your major. Moreover, it is the year that you meet some of your closest friends you will have for the rest of your life. However, your first year in college is typically the year that you start to come face to face with who you are as a person.
Typically, when you leave your parents’ home and begin your college career, you will start absorbing new ideas and experiencing new cultures and ways of life, which can lead you to formulate new ideas. Eventually, this will put you on your career path – a path you may be on for the rest of your life.
The truth of the matter is that there are ways to make sure that you can stay on the right path and not veer too off course. Sure, you may want to go off-roading here and there, so to speak, by enrolling in fun electives that speak to your passions, if not your career goals, but you also want to keep your focus and remain efficient. This is especially true when it comes to studying. Here are some ways to have a successful freshman year in college.
Declare a Major During Your Freshman Year
When you get to college, you want to think about your major, because the sooner you choose your major, the sooner you will start on the path to acquiring your degree in the field you have chosen. For instance, you could go for one of UIC’s nursing informatics programs or perhaps an art degree from a creative arts college.
Maintain an Active Social Life
When you get to college, you want to start making friends because a healthy social life is critical in college. Studies show that if you are more social, you are also more productive. This is critical during your first year of college, because it is the year that you will be the busiest as you transition to a new environment.
Join School Programs or Academic Groups
Another way to find success during your freshman year is to join an academic group. Most colleges have groups – many of them have been around for decades if not longer. For instance, you could join a literature group or a chemistry group. The benefit of joining one of these extra curricular organizations is that you will be able to become a part of the collegiate community and also find another avenue to meet new people.
Meet with a School Advisor
During your first year of college, you may want to meet with your academic advisor to discuss what courses you are taking and what courses you should be taking. You can think of your school advisor like your guide. If you aren’t sure what you want to do or study, a school advisor will be a huge help.
Make Your Living Arrangements as Comfortable as Possible
On top of everything, you want to be sure that you make your living arrangements as nice as possible. You want to be able to come back to a clean, organized space – whether you are studying or simply crashing for the night. If your dorm doesn’t have your favorite creature comforts, you may want to think about investing some of your time to putting your personal stamp on your room.
