How to Survive Your Freshman Year of College, From a Soon-To-Be Sophomore
This school year was crazy for a myriad of reasons: I moved across the country, embarked on my freshman year at Boston University, and navigated a global pandemic! As my first year of college comes to an end, I want to share some advice and tips that helped me get through it!
- GET ORGANIZED
In high school, I always bought planners but never actually ended up using them. This usually never harmed me because I tried to keep track of all my events, plans, and assignments in my head. In college, however, this didn’t work. I recommend using Google Calendar to keep track of everything! You can color-code your calendar in accordance with all of your classes and clubs, and also set reminders before every event. It was also super helpful because I could put my class Zoom link in the notes section of each event!
- HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO MAKE FRIENDS?
This was a question I constantly asked myself before coming to BU. When you first commit to BU, you’re probably going to talk to a TON of people on social media before, but it’s a totally different situation once you roll up on campus. I’ve made all of my friends in these ways:
- MY FLOOR: For the first few weeks of school, I reached out to a lot of people who lived on the same floor as me by simply knocking on their door and asking them if they wanted to go grab food in the dining hall or explore campus! Don’t be afraid to reach out. Chances are, people are in the same boat as you in terms of not knowing many people!
- CLUBS: Clubs have certainly looked different this year, but that didn’t stop me from being able to meet people! Make sure to head to Splash (BU’s club fair) and join one or a few clubs that you’re interested in! I joined the Daily Free Press’ podcast section, where I help write, record, and edit our podcasts, as well as other organizations like COM Student Government and BUTV10.
- MY SORORITY: I never thought that I’d join Greek life coming into college, but I decided to give it a chance. Of course, it isn’t for everyone (only around 12% of BU’s population is in Greek Life!), but it’s a great and fun way to meet people!
- DON’T BE AFRAID TO STAY IN (ESPECIALLY IF YOUR WALLET IS BEGGING YOU TO)
When I arrived at BU, I immediately had a TON of new plans with new friends. I’ve been able to explore Boston, try new restaurants, visit museums, and enjoy snow for the first time! One thing that was a huge change, however, were the costs associated with going out. Sometimes I do forget that Boston is a city, and restaurants or other activities can end up costing a lot. I used to feel that if I didn’t go out with my friends that I’d be missing out on making valuable memories. In reality, missing out on one dinner experience is totally fine! It’s okay to say no to plans –– it’s a great opportunity to practice self care while staying in! (Plus, your wallet will thank you.)
