The Ultimate Guide to Surviving Freshman Year

The Ultimate Guide to Surviving Freshman Year
Table of Contents
Overview/Introduction:
• The life of a college freshman is unpredictable and almost everyone comes into college
unprepared for the challenges that will undoubtedly face them. It’s an unknown realm
of endless possibilities. There are so many ways in which you will thrive but there are
also so many ways in which you will struggle; and knowing how to overcome these
struggles is key! This is the ultimate guide to help you navigate through your freshman
year of college with ease. Within the following pages, you will find advice regarding
dorm life, academic success, and overall wellness. I wish you nothing but the best, and I
hope you have the most Pinterest-worthy dorm room, ace your anatomy class, and
avoid the “Freshman 15!” Welcome to the best, yet craziest, four years of your life.
Dorm Life: Dorm Sweet Dorm (Packing List), Home Away From Home (Decorating Tips)
Dorm Sweet Dorm:
I’ve been in your shoes as you’re looking in your room thinking, “How in the world am I going to
be able to decide what to bring with me to college?” This list should help you narrow down
your choices so you don’t scare your roommate away will your load ;)
• Bedroom
o Bedsheets- standard twin, 2 sets (Yes, 2, you’ll thank me later!!)
o Comforter
o Blankets
o Mattress Pad (Invest in a good one, your sleep is worth it)
o Pillows
o Desk Lamp
o Hangers
o Clothes (Do not go overboard- you will wear the same t-shirt twice a week)
o Mini-fridge
• Bathroom
o Bathmat
o Glasses/Contacts
o Cosmetics
o Q-tips
o Curling Iron/Straightener
o Deodorant
o Hair Brush
o Hair Dryer
o Kleenex
o Shampoo/Conditioner
o Soap/Body Wash
o Shaving Cream/Razor
o Loofa
o Toilet Paper
o Toothbrush/Toothpaste

o Towels/Washcloths
o Shower Curtain
• Kitchenette
o Coffee Maker (Highly recommend a Keurig)
o Blender
o Can Opener
o Paper Plates (Dirty dishes pile up!)
o Microwave
o Plastic Utensils (Again, dirty dishes pile up!)
• School Supplies
o Backpack (Recommend one with a laptop compartment)
o Calculator
o Index Cards
o Laptop Case
o Notebooks/Binders/Folders
o Pens/Pencils
o Postage Stamps/Envelops (Write your mom!!)
o Post-It Notes
o Ruler
o Scissors
o Stapler/Staples
o Tape/Glue/Paperclips
o Three Hole Punch
• Cleaning Supplies
o Broom/Dust Pan
o Dish Soap
o Bathroom/Kitchen Cleaner
o Laundry Basket/Detergent
o Paper Towels
o Toilet Brush/Cleaner
o Trash Can/Trash Bags
o Vacuum/Duster/Mop/Swiffer
o Clorox Wipes (These things are life savers)
• Electronics
o Laptop
o Ethernet Cable
o Printer/Ink (This will save you so much money in printing fees)
o TV/Cable Cord
o Head Phones
o HDMI Cord
• Miscellaneous
o Batteries
o Health Insurance Card (Very important if you are any distance from home)
o Medicine/Prescriptions

o Rain Boots
o Social Security Card (If you are planning on getting a job this is a must)
o Umbrella
Home Away from Home:
“How is this plain looking box going to become a place I call home?” Walking into a plain dorm
room for the first time may be scary. It’s hard to imagine calling a place home that just has two
beds and two desks in it, but I promise it’s possible to turn it into a cozy retreat. Here are some
tips to turn such a bland little place into a Home Away from Home!
• Be creative with your space!
• Stack.
• Coordinate colors with your roommate.
• Tapestries make the walls so fun and so not plain.
• Hang lights around the ceiling.
• Get a rug.
• Loft your bed for a cozy area underneath.
• Bring pieces of home with you: pictures, wall quotes, etc.
• Stick with a theme: rustic, boho, modern, etc.
• Hang motivational sayings for those days you need a pick me up.
• Bring a comfy chair.
• Complete DIY projects. This saves you money and helps you create exactly what you
have in mind!
• Use black-out curtains for those sleepy Sunday mornings.
Academic Success: Tips to Succeed, Time Management Skills
Tips to Succeed:
The transition from high school courses to college courses is a transition that most, if not all,
freshmen, aren’t ready for. The semester of college is one that many freshmen struggle with
academically, but here are some tips to try and avoid that struggle.
• Go to EVERY class. Skipping one could become a bad habit of skipping many.
• Review material the day that you learn it. This helps you retain more of it, cutting down
on cramming time later.
• Study for big tests at least a week in advance. Repetition is so helpful when it comes to
learning important information.
• Limit distractions while studying to make the most out of your time.
• Keep your eyes on the end goal. One bad test grade does NOT define you.
• Stay focused. College is a time to make memories and have fun, but you have to
remember you are there to further your education.
• Challenge yourself.
• Focus on actually retaining information, not just on getting the A.
• Complete every assignment, even that really little discussion board worth 10 points.
You’ll kick yourself in the end if it comes down to those 10 points.
• Take written notes, not electronic. You retain more when you are writing down
information.

• Ask questions. Big lecture halls can be intimidating, however, professors are almost
always willing to meet with students to answer any questions and help!
• Find quiet places on campus away from your dorm where you can study. Let your dorm
be more of a place for you to relax.
• Organization is key. Don’t lose track of important papers.
Time Management Skills:
After being in school 7 hours a day for 12 years, college is like a completely different world. You
may only be in class for 12 hours the whole week. Many college freshmen struggle with
managing their time wisely, so here are some skills to make the most of the freedom you are
given!
• Use a planner!!
• Create a daily plan that entails how much time you will spend working on each thing.
• Block out distractions… aka put down your cell phone while studying so that you utilize
your time wisely.
• Prioritize your tasks. Work on the bigger tasks first, then the smaller ones.
• Stick to a routine. Try to go to bed and wake up around the same time every day.
• Plan ahead for the days that are the hardest. Prepare well in advance of these days.
• Start on the important stuff when it is assigned. Don’t wait until the last minute!
• Don’t overcommit yourself. Overcommitting causes you to not do your best on
everything.
Overall Wellness: Avoiding the Freshman 15 (snack + recipes), Making Friends, Getting Involved,
Being Away from Home
Avoiding the Freshman 15:
The dreaded Freshman 15. We’ve all heard about it and we’ve all seen it happen to people we
know. We go from home cooked meals and being multiple-sport athletes in high school to
Steak n’ Shake for 4 meals a week and avoiding the REC like the plague. None of us want it to
happen to us, so here are some tips to avoid the Freshman 15!
• Don’t skip breakfast. Your mom was right when she told you it’s the most important
meal of the day.
• Keep healthy snacks on hand.
• Join intramural leagues.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Don’t skip out on sleep.
• Keep in mind that everything is okay, just in moderation.
• Go to group exercise classes at your school’s gym.
• Take a kinesiology elective to stay active during the semester for a credit.
• Don’t drink calories.
• Avoid eating when you’re stressed or late at night.
• Make good choices in the dining options your school has.
• Take your vitamins.

Dorm life doesn’t offer appliances to cook meals, so it’s a good idea to keep healthy snacks on
hand for when you’re hungry and don’t feel like walking to the dining areas on campus. Here
are some easy, healthy snack options to keep off those extra pounds!
• Vegetables and hummus (Personal fav: carrots!)
• Celery and peanut butter
• Almonds
• Granola bars
• Fresh fruit
• Frozen grapes
• Popcorn
• Trail mix
• Crackers and cheese
• Yogurt
Making Friends:
A fear of many coming into college is that they won’t make any friends. However, I’m certain
that by following these tips, no one is going to go through freshman year alone!
• Get involved! I can’t express how much getting involved has helped create so many of
my friendships.
• Initiate conversation. Welcome Week is a perfect time to make friends. Almost
everyone else is in the same boat you are so it’s a good time to start a connection.
• Don’t settle with making just one friend. Keep broadening your relationships.
• Join Facebook groups with people attending the same school.
• Attend school events.
• Be approachable.
Get Involved:
Getting involved is such a big part of college. There are so many clubs and organizations on
campus to join and with each of these comes endless opportunities. Here are some reasons
why you should get involved!
• You’ll find out so much about yourself and your passions, strengths, and talents.
• You will learn how to collaborate and work together in a team.
• Leadership skills are gained.
• You will engage with diverse groups of people, expanding your network of relations and
making new connections and friendships.
• It looks great on a resume.
• Creates a great sense of identity within yourself on your college campus.
Coping with Distance:
As someone who chose a college 4 hours away from my hometown, I know firsthand how
difficult being away from home is. The following list includes things that helped me cope with
being so far from home!
• Focus on the big picture. Remember why you are there and what you will accomplish
during your time at there.
• FaceTime as often as you need.

• Get out of your room. Don’t let yourself sit and dwell on what you cannot change at the
moment.
• Space out weekend trips home evenly.
• Realize that what you are feeling is normal and you are not alone.
• Know that your momma misses you just as much, if not more.
• Find a mentor that you feel comfortable sharing your feelings with.
• Hang pictures of your family and hometown friends in your dorm.
Advice/Tips from Others:
• “Treat college as your first full-time job. You’ll have class for maybe 15 hours per week –
so the remaining 25 hours (40-hour, full-time job) should be spent on homework and
studying. After that, you can play. The 40-hour clock much reset on Saturday night, as
this helps you from putting stuff on until Sunday afternoon/evening.”
• “I wish I would’ve known more about different majors. Straight out of high school we
were really only given two options: business and nursing. I’ve always been told that if I
didn’t go into the medical field or do something business related that I wouldn’t be
successful in life which isn’t true. There are so many more options and many majors to
explore.”
• “You should not take out any student loans if you can avoid it. You should not get
involved in a serious relationship until after college and you travel. Your mom REALLY is
a saint. Skincare begins the day you are born: wear your spf and don’t go tanning. Go
home every change you get to hug your grandmother’s neck. Go to class. Do not drink.
No one is too young to die so be safe.”
• “BE OUTGOING and talk to strangers. Get out of your comfort box and meet new people
because sometimes you’re the only one doing it. Stepping out of your comfort zone is
the only way to grow.”
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