10 Common College Freshman Mistakes
Freshman year of college is tumultuous time laden with paperwork, lots of strangers, and scary term papers. But it’s also the start of the best four years of your life, and a place to meet life-long friends. If you’re like most of us, you’re bound to make a few mistakes, which is why we’ve compiled this helpful list to help you navigate the good, the bad, and the dining hall food.
Courtesy of Giphy1/101. Ditching orientation
You may think that you’re only missing out on get-to-know-you name games like “Neighbors” and “Telephone,” and you are, but you’re giving up on the chance to meet other new students who are just as scared as you who could become lifelong friends.
Courtesy of Giphy2/102. Packing everything you own
You may be tempted to make your tiny dorm room a princess-worthy palace, but try to resist the temptation. You can’t fit your home into half of a dorm room, and you shouldn’t try. Gray McCaffrey, a 19-year-old sophomore at Connecticut College, knows this all too well. “I brought way more clothes that I could ever wear,” they told Teen Vogue.
Courtesy of Giphy3/103. Thinking cafeteria food is a gift from the salad bar heavens
The first time you go to the dining hall with all of your new freshman dorm friends, you may think you’re in heaven. “A whole buffet of free rigatoni and a salad bar with all the fixings? I will never get sick of this!” But you will.
Courtesy of Giphy4/104. Getting off on the wrong foot with your RA
Ricky Hvisch, a 19-year-old junior at the University of Southern California, considers himself an expert on bad freshman behavior — he was an Residential Advsior, and advises all incoming students to do as they’re told or else. No, seriously, not making your RA’s life hard will aid you in the future when you need help navigating a tricky situation or a difficult roomie.
Courtesy of Giphy5/105. Skipping class
If you calculate how much the cost of each class is in relation to your tuition, you’ll discover that you’re paying around $50 to $70 for every class you skip. That’s a good chunk of change. Think of all of the study snacks and dorm décor that could afford.
Courtesy of Giphy6/106. Overdoing it with alcohol
There will be peer pressure — entire parties full of it, but you should never do anything you don’t feel comfortable with, especially if you’re underage. Also, please know that there are plenty of people who are OK with a night in ordering Chinese food and on binging Pretty Little Liars episodes.
Courtesy of Giphy7/107. Not getting enough sleep
There’s a meme out there that shows a pyramid with the words “enough sleep,” “social life,” and “good grades.” The satanic diagram claims that if you’re going to college, you can only pick two of the aforementioned. Though this diagram seems heinously probable when you’re hit with your first midterm, if you plan ahead you can manage to lead a healthy, balanced life — and get a good night’s rest.
Courtesy of Giphy8/108. Not wearing sweats to class
College is the last time in your life that you’ll be able to get away with wearing yoga pants and oversized, comfy, magical sweats out in the real world. Take advantage of it.
Courtesy of Giphy9/109. Scheduling classes on Fridays
When you’re in college, Fridays are a sacred time to reflect on the eight above mistakes you’ve probably already made and strive for self-improvement. They’re part of the honorary weekend; don’t spend them in an Astronomy lab.
Courtesy of Giphy10/1010. Being afraid to meet new people
Ricky recalls that when he was a freshman, he was scared to introduce himself to new people, but says, "Everyone is really in the same boat as you. No one knows anyone. No one knows what they’re doing. Everyone’s just trying to make friends and fit in.” So get out of your dorm and spread those social butterfly wings!
Related: It's College Move-in Day for Incoming Freshman All Around the Country
