Things I Wish I’d Known As a Freshman: 8 Tips for New Students
The beginning of your college experience is a busy time: You’re moving away from home, meeting new friends, starting new classes, balancing schoolwork and social activities, exploring a new town and campus. It can be pretty overwhelming, to say the least.
Luckily, there are people that have done this before and can help you navigate the newness of your first year of college. Below, Courtney Bellio, a junior who is majoring in criminology/criminal justice and political science, offers some tips for incoming NAU freshmen to ensure a successful and fulfilling freshman year.
- Go to class every day. Even if professors don’t take attendance every day, simply going to class can significantly improve your grade.
- Get to know your professors. Professors love when you go to their office hours, and they are always willing to help if you’re struggling or even if you just have a question.
- Get involved outside of the classroom. The best way to make friends is to get involved on campus. A great way to do that is by getting a job or joining one of the university’s 250 clubs.
- Don’t be afraid to go to tutoring. There is nothing shameful about seeking help with your classes—it’s a common practice among successful college students. There are many helpful resources available on campus, like the tutoring center or supplemental instructors in your classes, and utilizing them is a great way to improve your grades.
- Take time for yourself. Make sure to set aside time to just relax or do a non-school related activity so you don’t get overwhelmed with school and studying.
- Invest in a good schedule planner. Professors give you a schedule of all the assignments for the semester at the beginning of the year, so a great way to keep up with assignments is to do a syllabus dump and write all your assignments in your planner the very first week of school.
- Eat a balanced diet. Even though there is junk food readily available on campus, eating healthy will help you stay healthy and feel better overall. There are plenty of healthy food options on campus.
- Go off campus every now and then. The city of Flagstaff and the surrounding area have a lot to offer, like great restaurants, a lively nightlife, and a thriving arts and culture scene. Leaving campus occasionally is a great way to get to know the city and take a little break from school.