Freshman year comes with lots of potential. When approached wrong, it can lead to anxiety which if not dealt with can snowball into some very difficult college years. However, when done right, Freshman year can be one of the most enjoyable years of your life. So how can you be sure you are making the most of it? Well, here are some tips…

Accept Adulthood

If you are fresh out of high school and are now attending college away from home, then begin getting situated in adult life. Rather than getting overwhelmed by what this can entail, face it head on and get things sorted out as best and as quickly as you can. Get a job. Create a budget. Learn how to cook and clean. Exercise and eat healthy. Manage your time to finish your homework. The list is almost endless, but in this age of information, it’s not hard to find a tutorial on how to do something if you don’t yet know. Also, if you aren’t from the area, be sure to reach out to older students or mentors about the closest grocery stores, the best local banks, cheap restaurants, or other good tips necessary for adulting.

Learn Your School

To make the most of your freshman year, you have to know your options. Take advantage of what your school has to offer, but obviously to do so, you’ll need to read up about what all that is. Every school is different, and has certain perks that come with it. Learn what opportunities exist at your school and make the most of it. At the Institute for example, many of the alumni are heavily involved in school activities, and not only that, many of them even live in the same neighborhood as the college itself. Getting to know some of them will not only be well worth your time, but they could also share about their freshman year with you which could help ease your transition by learning through their experience.

Create a Plan

Once you know what you want to do, it’s time to create a plan. Getting organized will help you get more done, or at least be more realistic about what goals to set. Time management and self-discipline are important aspects of ensuring a successful freshman year of school. You will inevitably get busier each year, so it’s important to lock down this skill early. Being responsible with your time, money, and energy allows you to do more and stress less as you continue trekking through college life.

Make Friends

So you made a schedule. That’s great, but did you remember to schedule time for friends? Your freshman year is one of the best times to make friends, as you and the rest of the first years are all experiencing similar situations: new school, new roommates, orientation, taking gen eds, etc. You’re only going to get busier, so now is the time to capitalize on whatever free time you may have to invest into friendships. Will you have conflict with your friends? Of course, but working past that builds stronger friendships that will last long after your college years. Friendships are where memories are made, and you will look back and reminisce on those times, remembering just how great your freshman year was.

Find Your Patterns

When should you go to bed so your mind is ready for class? Where is a good spot for you to study so you are not distracted? What causes you to get stressed and what is the most efficient way to handle your anxiety so it doesn’t distract you from being productive? When is the best time of day for you to spend time with God? How long does it actually take you to prepare for work? What apps on your phone do you need to set timers for so you don’t waste valuable study time on social media? What foods give you energy and which ones make you feel sluggish? Who is a good study partner who will ensure you stay focused?

Be on the lookout for answers to questions like these as the more you are aware of yourself, the better decisions you can make to ensure you get done what you need to get done. A paper that took you eight hours to write, may have only actually needed four hourshad you organized your notes after each class, studied at a desk instead of in bed, and had been eating healthier foods that give your body more energy. Learn yourself by recognizing patterns even in your first year of college; it can help you use your freshman year as a way to track changes and progress as you continue to grow and develop.

Don’t Forget God

God is our rest. God is our peace. God is our joy and source of life. If we neglect him due to all the other happenings going on in our lives, then you shouldn’t expect to grow much during your freshman year. If you are attending the Institute, don’t forget to set aside time to spend with God. Yes, you may be spending hours listening to Bible lectures, researching Greek words, and writing theological papers, but if you are not inviting God into those times, then you won’t be getting the most out of it because he’s the one who gives it all meaning.

How to Make the Most of Your Freshman Year