I hope you are as excited as I was about College. Was I scared? Hell yes! Every College Freshman student is scared, anxious, and ready for new experiences.
College is the time for you to explore, get out of your comfort zone, and meet so many different people. But that does not mean you won’t make mistakes. I made many (seriously lol) but I moved on and now here we are! The mistakes I made are listed below but also mistakes I have seen firsthand that made me either cringe or get upset for them
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Mistakes Every College Freshman Student Makes Unknowingly
1. CHOOSING A ROOMMATE YOU ARE FRIENDS WITH.
The best roommates are people you know casually or people you meet ahead of time on social media. Meet them for coffee or Facetime them first.
2. LOSING YOUR DORM KEY & TELLING EVERYONE ABOUT IT.
Everyone loses their dorm key. Telling everyone about it gets annoying especially if you keep retelling it for attention.
3. DATING AN UPPERCLASSMAN.
There is no reason why a 22 year old wants to date a freshly 18 year old. If they do – run. Unless you know them prior, be very careful.
It is also bad to date an upperclassman because you are going to be meeting so many different people that you do not want to be held back by someone telling you not to go out.
4. CHOOSING A ROOMMATE YOU ARE FRIENDS WITH.
The best roommates are people you know casually or people you meet ahead of time on social media. Meet them for coffee or Facetime them first.
5. NO ONE CARES THAT YOU WERE LATE FOR CLASS.
Do not interrupt the class to give the teacher your excuse for not being in class. Everyone is paying a lot for the teacher to talk – not you.
6. TALKING DURING CLASS.
Nothing angers me more than when the Professor is speaking about something important and a group of Freshmen are talking loudly in the corner. You will not make friends that way and it is rude.
7. NOT TALKING TO YOUR CLASSMATES.
It is scary! I get it but this help you academically and give you a chance to make friends. I still talk to the first people I talked to in College. Just do it and if it doesn’t work out – move seats :).
8. SAYING YOU GOT A BAD GRADE ON A TEST BUT YOU GOT A 80%.
Everyone has different strengths in college and bragging about your grade – will make people upset. I had this girl in my Statistics class get upset for a 90% on a exam while I had a 70%. I was too embarrassed to tell her my grade. She ended up being in my Chemistry class and I actively avoided her. Do not be her.
9. PACKING FOR THE WRONG WEATHER.
Make sure you pack for every season you will experience – not just the weather in August.
10. NEVER DO HOMEWORK IN YOUR ROOM.
This was so bad for me due to COVID. My room didn’t feel like a safe space anymore and I was always thinking about school work I needed to get done. Take my advice and keep your dorm room a safe space.
11. DO NOT BRING PETS INCLUDING A FISH.
Pets smell and require responsibility that you can not prioritize it over your school work. You are going to want to go out or drive to the mountains for the weekend.
Having a pet, especially your first year, can make you feel comfort which is great but not needed. You need to get out of your comfort zone sooner than later.
12. HAVING CANDLES IN YOUR DORM ROOM.
I was shocked when I found this out. You cannot have candles in your dorm room. Make sure to check your Universities policy on what is allowed and not allowed in your room.
13. TREATING YOUR RA POORLY.
You will need your RA. They have the power to write you up, call the cops on you, or let you go. Treat them with respect.
14. FIND YOUR CLASSES BEFORE CLASS.
I ended up missing my first ever college class because I couldn’t find the class and was too embarrassed to walk in late. Again don’t be like me and find your classes prior.
15. NOT TALKING TO YOUR RA IF YOU ARE HAVING ROOMMATE ISSUES.
Your RA, or resident assistant, is there to help you but also document certain stuff. For instance, if your roommate was looking in your drawers. Talk to your RA and either get switch to a different room or have her document it.
16. THINKING BEING “COOL” IN HIGH SCHOOL MATTERS.
High school is in the past. Leave it there.
17. SETTING OFF THE FIRE ALARM.
Do. Not. Set. Off. The. Fire. Alarm.
That is rude and not cool.
18. SMOKING IN THE DORM ROOMS.
Look no one cares that you smoke but the police. Find some woods and smoke there.
19. USING COMMAND STRIPS.
Command strips will leave marks on your wall and you will end up having to pay a fine for the paint damage. If you believe your university is different, check their website.
20. BUYING MERCH… YOU WILL GET FREE MERCH.
College merch is soooo expensive. You will end up getting free shirts and hoodies for just showing up to events or football games.
21. NOT KNOWING HOW TO DO LAUNDRY OR BASIC CHORES.
Please learn or watch a video explaining it. Many people had to do chores or laundry since a very young age.
22. BEING THE “PICK ME” GIRL.
If your a girl, you know exactly what I’m talking about.
Mistakes Every College Freshman Student Makes Academically
23. TRUSTING YOUR ADVISORS!
If your university has a grad planner, use it. Plan out all the classes you need to take for every semester.
24. NOT GOING TO OFFICE HOURS.
Office hours are amazing. It’s a chance for you to meet with your professor one on one. They are more likely to bump up your grade and actually remember your name.
25. UNDERESTIMATING CLASS REGISTRATION.
Class registration is brutal. Most Freshman sign up for classes last and that means you have the worst picks. Figure out the exact time to sign up for classes and plan accordingly.
26. NOT ASKING YOUR TEACHERS FOR HELP WHEN NEEDED.
Most (keyword most) professors want to help you succeed in the class. Just talk to them and ask for help when needed. The class only last 4 months.
27. ASKING YOUR TEACHER FOR TOO MUCH HELP.
Alike the one above, do not blow up their email every other day asking for help. You do not want them to know your name for a bad reason.
28. USE THE TUTOR CENTERS.
Again if you need help, like everyday go to tutor centers the university offers. They are free and are willing to help you.
29. DOING ALL OF THE ASSIGNED READING.
You’re not actually expected to do all of the reading (unless it’s Chemistry or a hard STEM class) that you are assigned and honestly there are not enough hours in the day. Just come to your class with a broad understanding of the material.
30. NOT STUDYING FOR OPEN NOTE EXAMS.
Open-note exams are amazing but do not convince yourself that you have enough time to read through your entire notebook. Use it as a backup if there is enough time left over or for a quick search for a definition.
If the teacher has a study guide available, make an open note sheet based on that.
31. NOT USING RATEMYPROFESSOR.COM
Having a good professor can mean all the difference in passing a course. If you go to a large university, use ratemyprofessor.com. Students rate their professors and give honest reviews.
However, if only one class is offered and you need it for your major – you get the professor you get.
32. NOT KNOWING IF ATTENDANCE COUNTS.
On the first day of class, the professor will go over if attendance counts. If it counts, make sure you go to the class because the professor will know if you go to class. Meaning, if you are on the verge of a letter grade they may not bump up your grade if you do not show up.
You should also be able to find if attendance matters in the syllabus.
33. READ THE SYLLABUS.
The syllabus is a golden ticket into your professors mind. Many professors will hide hints in the syllabus because most students don’t read them.
One student found the answers to the first quiz hidden in the syllabus.
34. TAKING EARLY CLASSES.
Even if you wake up early in the morning, I highly recommend not taking early classes. You will be going out to parties or want to sleep in. If you end up wanting to take morning classes, sign up for them next semester.
35. TAKING TOO MANY STEM CLASSES AT ONE TIME.
Do not burn yourself out your Freshman year. Enjoy college and find out who you are.
36. OVERLOADING ON CREDITS.
Again, do not burn yourself out. Taking too many credits your first year will do you no favors. Instead, take some Gen-Ed classes and meet some friends.
37. ORDERING YOUR REQUIRED BOOKS BEFORE THE CLASS STARTS.
Many professors don’t even use their “required” books to teach the class. Wait until they tell you to buy it – then buy it.
38. ORDERING THE REQUIRED BOOKS FROM THE SCHOOL LIBRARY.
After the professors tell you to buy the book, search Facebook groups or online sources to find that book. Most University book stores are overpriced and can cost hundreds.
39. ASKING THE TEACHER A QUESTION YOU CAN FIND ON THE SYLLABUS.
Do not waste your time and your teachers time. Just do a quick look on the syllabus.
I even had a teacher grade her students on if they asked “stupid” questions like ones that can be found on the syllabus. It is very common and should be avoided.
40. FAILING AN “EASY” CLASS.
No class is “easy” but certain classes require less time. For instance, Gen-Ed classes are typically “easy.” Meaning you do not want your GPA to go down for a simple class everyone has to take.
Mistakes Every College Freshman Student Makes In Social Scenes
41. PARTYING BEFORE STUDYING.
For some reason, I thought my freshman year I had to go to every single party or else I would miss out. Then, I realized I have to pass my classes to be able to party for the next 4 years.
My rule of thumb, finish any homework before going out but when I go out, you don’t think about homework.
42. NOT GOING OUT TO PARTIES.
You should be having fun in college and going to parties. Many college students do not even drink when they go out but they still go out.
43. THROWING UP AFTER DRINKING.
It is not cool to drink so much you throw up. Other people end up having to take care of you and no one enjoys being the “mom” of the group.
44. ONLY BEFRENDING UPPERCLASSMEN.
Your not cool for only having upperclassmen as friends. Most of the time, you are in classes with people from your grade. Meet them and become friends with them.
45. FOLLOWING YOUR BOYFRIEND/GIRLFRIEND TO COLLEGE.
Chose where you want to go to college. The likely hood of you two staying together is very slim. Be selfish.
46. NOT BEING ABLE TO CONTROL YOURSELF.
If you are not able to control yourself when you drink, do not drink. It is embarrassing for you and people around you.
47. RECORDING EVERYTHING AT A PARTY.
Be in the moment. Enjoy the party and MEET PEOPLE. I have met so many people at parties that I still talk to. You can too.
48. JUDGING OTHER PEOPLE FOR GOING OUT.
Everyone goes out and if you become that person who judges other people, people won’t trust you or invite you out.
3 Things Every College Freshman Student Needs To Know
49. NOT BALANCING HAVING FUN AND SCHOOL WORK.
Balance is everything. It’s hard and confusing but it’s the only way to survive college.
50. WANTING TO HAVE SOMEONE GO WITH YOU EVERYWHERE.
College is the time you are able to do what you want and have independence while still have people you can go to if needed. However, you won’t have someone to walk you to class everyday and you will have to go to the mail room alone.
51. NOT GETTING OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE.
If you stay in your dorm room because you are scared, get out away. Go to the library or talk to a random person while waiting for coffee. You will never meet people if you stay in your comfort zone. It’s scary but please, please do it.
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