how to actually survive your first year (tips from someone 3 years in)
Three years in and I feel like I finally figured out what I wish someone told me day one. Here’s what actually matters:
Go to class. I know, groundbreaking advice. But seriously, I skipped a ton freshman year because “I can just read the slides” and my GPA showed it. The professor adds context you won’t get from slides alone.
Make friends in every class. Not for the social aspect (though that’s nice) but because you need someone to text when you miss a class, need notes, or want to study together before exams.
Don’t buy textbooks until after the first week. Half my professors said “required” but never actually used them. Saved hundreds this way.
Office hours are literally free tutoring. Professors are way nicer one-on-one than in lecture. Plus they remember you when grading is borderline.
Sleep > studying. I used to pull all-nighters and it never once helped. You retain nothing when you’re exhausted. Study earlier, sleep properly, you’ll do better on the exam.
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I'd add: find one club or activity and actually commit to it. I joined five things freshman year and burned out by October. Better to go deep than wide.
The sleep advice hits hard. I pulled all nighters constantly first semester and my grades were worse than when I started actually sleeping 7 hours.
Honestly the hardest part was making friends after orientation. Everyone seems to already have their group by week 3. It gets better second semester though.
The meal plan tip is underrated. I wasted so much money eating out first semester because I didn't realize how much the dining hall actually had.
Office hours changed everything for me. Professors are way more helpful one on one than you'd expect. Plus they remember you when it's time for recommendations.