Surviving the College Freshman Year | 4 Tips for New Students

The first year in college is by far the most stressful for most students going by the recent statistics on college dropout rates. Surveys suggest that students tend to be most vulnerable to dropping out of college in their first year, with more than 25% of freshmen terminating their studies before entering the second year on campus. While there are many reasons behind these stats, the general understanding is that most students leave college because they get there unprepared for the demands and structure of higher education. This article summarizes tips for surviving the dreaded first year on campus.

• Recognize and Deal With Homesickness

Experiencing homesickness is normal in college and affects more than 60% of college students at some point in their studies. However, studies show that first-year students are the most vulnerable to homesickness, with more than 95% struggling with the problem. While homesickness is never serious for most people, research shows that it can be severe with serious implications for health and academics.

When students leave their familiar home environment for college, they often feel a sense of deep loss for being away from family, friends, friends, and loved ones. The grief and sadness that often accompany these feelings tend to go away with time but can affect your ability to socialize and perform in academics. One important way of dealing with homesickness is recognizing that the feelings are normal and will disappear with time. Keep in touch with loved ones back home, but minimize contact to give you time to experience your new surroundings. If you find yourself struggling with assignments, buy coursework online.

• Attend Class Regularly

Your new life as a college student may be confusing, mostly because of its unstructured nature. One of the notable freedoms you will enjoy while on campus is self-determination, which means you get to decide what to do with your time. While trying to cope with multiple responsibilities, some students ignore their classes. Understand that the main reason you are in college is to study, and attending class with purpose helps achieve that goal.  

Whether your classes are traditional in-person, online, or hybrid, you must attend them to get the most out of your program. Here, attending class with purpose means participating in class activities, listening attentively, and asking questions for further clarification. Being present in this manner allows you to interact deeply with course concepts and offers opportunities to interact with professors. Also, attending class will help with homesickness as you meet new friends and make lasting connections.

• Find the Right Balance

Most college freshmen struggle with life on campus because they take on more than they can handle. College is already stressful as it is, with tons of assignments to complete and multiple social obligations. However, some students go the extra distance of getting part-time or full-time jobs, further straining their already hectic schedules. Understand that effective time management remains a crucial component of college success. You must organize your activities and create a routine, completing the most urgent tasks first.

Even more crucial, however, is the need to understand your limitations. Don’t take on more than you can handle. If you choose a part-time job, align it with your academic obligations to ensure your school responsibilities do not suffer. Create a delicate balance, prioritizing your academics and juggling all your obligations. Don’t hesitate to seek support if you feel overwhelmed.

• Prioritize Self-Care

With so much work to do in such little time, college students tend to ignore the importance of self-care with serious consequences. Students usually get so caught up in their daily tasks that they forget their well-being. Understand that self-care is important for your health and well-being. It also shapes your academic performance and social relationships so, as you try to keep sight of what is important, which is your wellness.

This article summarizes a few tips to help first-year students navigate campus life. At this stage, you need to work on your communication skills, improve time management, and prioritize self-care. One of the most important self-care tips you can get is to get enough sleep. Students pull frequent all-nighters or adopt irregular and unhealthy sleep patterns when trying to complete several assignments or create time for friends. Understand that sleep deprivation affects your mental and physical health in monumental ways. As a student, you need around eight hours of uninterrupted slumber each night. Also, eat healthy foods, and drink lots of water.