»Ronniesia Reed
–Perspectives Editor
The beginning of the school year can be the most stressful for freshmen. With moving in, starting classes, learning the campus and meeting new people on the list of to-dos, it can be difficult to balance things out.
The good news is, it all gets better. All of these things can tie into one another. For instance, while learning the campus you can meet new people by stopping and asking questions.
During move-in there many people running around confused and needing some kind of assistance. Also, offering to help someone else move in shows consideration and can make that person feel comfortable talking to you and want to know more about you. That same person could end up helping with your homework next week.
One of the most important things beginners in college often forget is to stay focused.
Even celebrities are willing to stress the importance of going to college and took the time to give tips to newcomers via Seventeen Magazine.
“If you’re working hard and stressing, it’s important to take time yourself too,” said actress Josie Loren.
“Or you’ll go nuts. Even if it’s an hour where you do whatever you want to do for yourself. Otherwise, you’re just going to get burned out, and you’ll be unhappy. And you need to be happy.”
College can be very time consuming especially when taking on other extracurricular activities. Taking time to be alone and gathering thoughts together is essential to prospering as a freshman.
Learning is the main reason we are all here. Expanding learning and memorization methods is extremely important.
“I think one of the best things you can do is learn how to learn,” said actor Benjamin Stone.
“For instance, there are techniques you can try to enhance your memory. You can train yourself to have a photographic memory. All these things come in handy, no matter what you do in life.”
“College is such a unique time because you’re learning how to be an adult,” said actress Anne Hathaway.
“You’re learning to take care of yourself without parental influence, and you’re exposed to so many great minds. I feel like I didn’t even know how to think until I got to college.”
Although getting out and being an adult can be one of the scariest parts of going to college, it can also be one the most fun. Taking the freedom as a privilege is important.
“I wish that I had been a little more health-conscious in college,” said television personality Whitney Port.
“In my first year, I had pizza and fries for lunch and dinner every day. That can be fine to a certain point, but it’s important to be smart about what you put in your body. I think it’s normal to put on weight in college, but it’s also important to be healthy.”
Gaining the “freshman fifteen” can add lots of unwanted to stress as a college student. Weight gain can cause depression and might easily detour students from their main focus, remember to stay healthy. Being unhealthy can add much more stress to your problems.
“I would say definitely take advantage of that, don’t be shy,” said actor Dave Franco.
“Because, looking back on my college experience, my best friends are the guys I met from my freshman year…Just take advantage of the fact that everyone’s in the same situation.”
There are many people having the same experiences you are at this point in life. It is important to remember this and find someone who can help you through the hard times.
College is an important time in life and for most people it only happens once.
It is all about finding the balance between staying focused and not becoming too overwhelmed, but most importantly, enjoying it. TAS
