What I Wish I Knew As A Freshman

Hi everyone, Sarah here,

I’ve learned a lot in the four semesters I’ve spent here at UConn. All of which I wish I knew as a freshmen. Here is my list of the top five things I wish I knew before move in day:

1. The importance of going to class. One of the major differences between high school and college is that you are on your own. There is no one there pushing you go to class and checking up on you. That being said, it can be tempting to skip a class here and there but you never know what you might miss. In my experience, the one time you skip class is the one time there is a pop quiz or exam tips. The first step to succeeding in your classes is to go to class!
2. How to pick my classes. Something I didn’t consider when picking my classes was the time of day. My first semester, my schedule was scattered throughout the day, some as early as 8 am and my latest getting out at 7pm. But as I soon realized, there was a certain time of day that I learned best. Some like to have all of their classes early and be done early, other like to sleep in and have their classes later in the day. I have found that even though I don’t like to wake up early, I retain the most information before 3 pm. So, when choosing my classes I try to fit them all in between the hours of 9:30 am and 3 pm.

3. How to manage my time. Another major variation between high school and college is the amount of free time you have. I personally struggled to manage that time properly. I thought I had so much time to finish the work later that I ended up putting it off to the last minute. This is a rocky road to take, especially if you are unorganized. This can lead to completely forgetting assignments or turning in work that is subpar at best. My advice is to get work done as it is assigned so you don’t have to worry about it later.
4. Get as involved as possible. After your school work is done, that leaves you with all of this free time. So what do you do with it? Get involved! Freshman year I did not get involved and it was difficult to make new friends and I always felt like I had nothing to do. When sophomore year rolled around I decided to branch out and join a sorority. My sorority has allowed me get involved with community service, and meet countless new people. Now in my junior year, I have two jobs on campus that I love and an amazing group of girls that I can not imagine not being around for my college years.
5. How to keep a healthy diet. Now everyone has heard of the Freshman 15. And believe me, for personal experience, that no exaggeration. For starters, do not spend all of your money on Wings Over Storrs and D.P. Dough! Yes, they are delicious, but there is such a thing as too much. There are a number of healthy options in the dining halls that get over looked. Have a salad, make sure you are getting those greens. Opt for a glass of water instead of soda for every meal. It’s the little things that start to add up those lbs.

You’re going to make mistakes. College is a time to grown and learn so don’t be too hard on yourself. I know I did. Just remember, most of us are only here for four years, so make the most of your time here!