How Do Freshmen Adjust To College Life?

For freshmen, living at home to go into college is a bittersweet moment. You get to meet new people, and make fresh experiences, while still missing those you left behind at home. In this article we shall see How Do Freshmen Adjust To College Life?

A survey found that about 50 percent of freshmen reported feeling stressed most of the time and an average of 36 percent had no clue as to how to manage and control the stress of everyday college life.

It is important to have in mind your reason for being in college and at the same time find new adaptation methods. 

How Do Freshmen Adjust To College Life?

Here are some helpful tips to help you thrive and survive as a freshman in college:

  • Seek support from a college advisor or counselor. Whatever your struggle may be, meeting and seeking support from a counselor is an effective way of keeping your head aloft amid the challenges college life might bring. Counselors are there to guide you and sort out whichever and whatever problems you may have.
  • Try to stay in contact with your family and friends. Maintaining your relationships with your loved ones at home is a necessity. Study shows that speaking/spending time with your loved ones helps to relieve stress. We need people to go through life sane and your loved ones will always be there to hold your head up high in the face of college struggles.
  • Stay organized and focused. Academic/college life requires you to be focused and committed. Assignments and activities when left unattended, have a way of building up quickly. If you do not stay organized, you’ll find yourself getting too stressed. It is advised to get a notepad (whether on your phone or a physical copy) where you can keep track of things you have to do. In order words, have a daily to-do list and planner. Record every consequential and inconsequential thing you have to do that pops into your head at random, this will help you to remember what you have to do. Having a planner is a very helpful way to stay on top of things.
  • Do not skip classes, jot down lectures and avoid procrastination. It is important to be present during lectures, although it gets tedious at times, it is extremely helpful. Taking notes is highly beneficial during tests and exams, but you can only take notes when you’re in class. Also avoid procrastination at all costs, getting your assignments done on time helps you think less of it and relax. It also creates room for having fun.
  • Join clubs, teams, and programs. Joining social gatherings like this and actively participating in them creates an avenue to network and meet new people. By joining clubs and sports teams, you pursue your interests and grow your college experiences as well.
  • Attend events on campus.  One of the prominent things college makes easily accessible for every student is the opportunity to make friends. When you attend campus events, you meet new people, get to learn something new, and hang out with friends as well. Some campus events provide free food and snacks which is every college student’s joy.
  • Bring out time to have fun. In life, you have to create time for your happiness because sadness and stress will always create time for themselves. Set aside time every week to do something fun, you can decide to declare part particular particularly work-free for yourself. The fun could be seeing a movie, getting a body massage, getting ice cream, and any other thing you love. College is stressful, learn to create time for yourself to have fun. You live only once.
  • If you happened to move away from your city to attend college, explore your new city. Make good use of your newfound freedom to explore. Most cities have fun places and great views, make out time to visit these places, take pictures and make memories. Your future self will be grateful.
  • Learn to communicate. Closed mouths don’t get fed. If you’re having issues anywhere and in anything, learn to communicate; be vocal. You might also be in a space where your roommates annoy you; it is, therefore, necessary to learn to voice out your feelings.
  • Ask for help. Asking for help does not make you weak. Ask for help each time you find yourself stranded or in need. Make use of the resources around you.
  • Learn to relax: As a college student, there’s only much you can do, one thing you can’t do is kill yourself. Learn to identify your stressors and kill them before it kills you. You don’t have to be creative every day, it is important to take a break. Relaxation is good for your health, ensure that you are making room for yourself to relax; you deserve it for all your hard work.

Why is adjusting to college life difficult?

College is an exciting and intriguing time in everyone’s life, it is filled with transitions and changes in preparation for the beautiful future hoped for.

However, transitioning into college life can be exciting, scary, and strange at the same time. Starting college provides new opportunities fit growth, opportunities to learn, and even opportunities that will leave a mark on your future. 

Adjusting to college is difficult because you’ll have to face new challenges and experiences for the first time, and at the same time. And for some people, who have been under parental guidance for long, you’ll start to make decisions for yourself.

Conclusion

Always be mindful of the changes you will encounter and develop ideas 

and strategies on how to handle and navigate through them. Make 

An intended effort every day to take care of yourself and engage in self-care. Step out of your comfort zone and engage yourself in college activities. Create time to rest and exercise. Develop a schedule and follow it strictly.  

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS)

  • What are some of the challenges freshmen face?

A: Racial and cultural diversity, difficulty in meeting academic demands, increased responsibility, financial stress, roommate problems, and time management.

  • How can one help freshmen students?

A: Offer them support, assist them financially, and provide reading materials based on their courses for them.