People always remember their first: first date, first love, first time leaving home. And this is no different than your first year of college.
Going to college is the first step into the real world; you’re on your own.
I can remember my freshman year like it was yesterday. There were no more cars, I was surrounded by people I didn’t know, and I showered and shared a small room with complete strangers. It seemed like the worst place on Earth, but I was happy too.
I was so happy to be away from home, I celebrated almost the whole semester. I could come home when I wanted. I didn’t have to answer to anyone. I was the man.
What I have learned is that your first year of college sets the foundation for the rest of your college years. If you get wrapped up and do nothing but party, you will spend the rest of your years trying to make up for your freshman year. It’s OK to miss an event to study. It’s not the end of the world; there will be other parties.
When you’re a freshman, there are so many opportunities of which you can take advantage.
The people you hang out with in the dorm and at the café will be some of your closest friends, and the bond and memories you create with them will be with you for life.
If I could go back and do it over again, I would have been more involved on campus. After a while, clubbing gets old and hanging out with friends becomes a happier alternative.
When I get together with my friends, the topic is always freshman year. We talk about how much fun we had and the crazy things we did.
Make sure to get your grade point average as high as possible so that when you start to take your harder courses, you will already be in the habit of working hard.
I had a high GPA my first semester.
Then I got comfortable, and I have spent the rest of my years making up for my second semester.
Balance your time, get a daily planner and pre-plan as much of your day as possible.
College can be the best days of your life, but if you don’t take advantage of every opportunity, you will be left wishing you could do it over.
I know how hard it can be living on campus, but I’ m grateful for it.
It taught me how to appreciate everything I have and helped me to see how blessed I am.
Enjoy it while you can because before you know it you will be preparing for graduation, wondering were all the time went. There’s nothing like your first year of college. I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. Royle King is a junior broadcast journalism student from Dallas. He can be reached at royle_04@hotmail.com.