Here’s a list of some of the things I learnt in my first year of college that I wish I had known before I started:
Unidays!! So before I started I went out & bought new clothes, notebooks, stationery etc. for college, & I wish I hadn’t because most of the stores I bought from, have a student discount when you use Unidays/show your id in store. ((They also have 10% Apple if you’re buying new electronics!!))
Lecturers do care. All through secondary/high school, I was told, “when you go to college, lecturers won’t care about you.” From my experience, this isn’t true. Most lecturers do care because your performance in exams reflects on them as a lecturer. While they won’t spoon-feed you, they are there to help you if you’re struggling/have a few questions.
Don’t copy down the lecturer’s slides (if they post them online!). In my first semester, I wrote everything off the slides, and spent so much time in the lecture paying attention to the slides, I missed what the lecturer was saying, which is more important to note down as you won’t be able to find it online.
What buildings and lecture halls my classes were in. If you can, try going to each building/hall to see exactly where you need on your first day/week.
You don’t need to sit at the front of a lecture hall to get the best out of a lecture. I thought before college the only way I could pay attention would be by sitting up the front but I’ve found this isn’t the case for me. I work best sitting in the middle because then I don’t have to make eye-contact with the lecturer (something I find really uncomfortable) and I’m not worried about what’s happening behind me. Everyone’s different so try to find a place that suits you!
It’s totally okay to do things alone. In school, I feel like there’s a bit of a group culture, where you can’t do anything without someone else but in college, it’s good to go to lectures/have lunch and go the library by yourself sometimes (& no one will judge you for it).
The library isn’t the only study place. The library can be intimidating especially for 1st years. When I started I loved reading rooms which were smaller and more private.
How to print stuff off in college. Learn how to do it asap! I only found out in my second semester. It’s just something that’s handy to know! Before you go to college just google your college’s name & print and you’ll find out how.
The college doctor’s office is free/a lot cheaper! I didn’t actually use the doctor’s office but it’s good to know how much it’s going to be if you do need to go! (This depends on what college you go to, check beforehand)
You don’t need to buy the textbook. I know so many people who paid a lot of $ for a textbook when they could have used one of the library’s multiple copies or got a cheaper one from a past student.
College can offer a lot more than just classes. Volunteering opportunities, societies, clubs, counselling services are just a few things that are available that aren’t related to class, make use of them.
The people you’re friends with the first week, may not still be your friends at the start of the year (and that’s okay!). You’ll meet a lot of people in college and it can take time to find people you really connect & want to be friends with.
You may have to study something you’re not that big of a fan of at first. Some courses are general to start off with and let you specialise later. Don’t be put off by this, work hard and it’ll pay off when you get to pick what you want to study later!
College is hard. You may get homesick, find your classes difficult, or feel lonely but it get’s better. It’s only normal to find a new situation difficult but stick with it & you’ll get through it!!
Best of luck if you’re starting college this year!! Remember to enjoy every moment of it! 💛
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