What I Learned My Freshman Year of College

Freshman year is an experience like no other. You’re going to meet new people, work on projects quite unlike anything you did in high school, plan out all of your meals, work alongside your roommate… It's a lot to worry about. Of course, everybody’s first years will be different. Freshman worries tend to be common to us all, though, so hopefully this blog helps quell some of those concerns!

Where To Eat

Dining dollars can be a great thing during your first year. You’re trying to figure out what you like to eat on campus, so having the freedom to walk around and try new things is amazing. During my freshman year, I tried out a ton of places on campus to learn what pizza was my favorite, which cafe had the best croissants, and what Ben and Jerry’s ice cream stood out as number one. Eventually I found out the places I liked the most and made a habit of memorizing the times they were open. 

Getting Places On Time

You may already be punctual, but college is a new experience that could throw off your ability to get to classes at the right time. There is no feeling like waking up at 8 a.m. for a math class. I recommend setting your timers early, like 45 minutes before, as you get used to your class schedule. Then you can start changing them. Do you tend to get to one class late still because you sleep in? Do you always show up early to another one? You can start waking up or heading over at different times once you have an understanding of how long it takes you to get places. I found that waking up 40 minutes early and setting a 10-minute snooze timer worked best for me…unless I was walking all the way across campus, when I would ditch the snooze timer altogether. 

Fun Activities

I recommend going to the Club Fair at the start of the Fall Semester. You’re likely to find a club that matches your interests! This is a great way to start meeting people, pick up a new skill, or find a new passion. I didn’t think I would be so into playing board games until I joined RIT clubs and found myself playing every week! Clubs are free, so try things out, go to events, and meet similar people. Other freshmen want to make friends just as much as you do. 

Doing Laundry

"But I already know how to do laundry," is what I can hear you saying right now. Doing the laundry isn’t hard, but what can be hard is knowing the best times to go do your laundry. I found that before I figured out the schedules, I could be spending hours at the dorm laundromat just hoping there was an open washer or dryer! My tips: the washing machines are not locked to your specific dorm, but try and find available space in your closest one first. If a washer is open and a dryer is too, expect the dryer to be in use once your clothes finish their bath. But if the washers are empty and the dryers are running? This is a great sign, since it means the dryers will likely be available by the time your clothes finish! You also want to try and go early in the morning or late at night if you want the least commotion.  

Spending Money

You’re on your own now. You have Dining Dollars, maybe some TigerBucks, but neither of those is going to buy you that anime figure you’ve been eyeing. There’s a bank on campus located in Global Village, so that’s a great place to get your first debit card and start spending any money you may have made before! I know that’s the boat I was in. It varies from student to student, but I know that I was super excited to be able to spend the money I made from work freely at college. So what did I need to learn? Save your money!! You’re a college student, and while it's fun to be able to spend your earnings, make sure to save a lot of what you make. You want to have money in the bank for fun times and events. 

Attending Events

College Activities Board (CAB) is the biggest host of events on campus. These events often become quite full and can be chaotic, but they’re a ton of fun. If you see any events coming up that you want to go to, I learned that it's better to give them a try than to stand around in your dorm and play video games. Go out and see what’s out there! Play laser tag, go to College Night at the Strong, go to college carnivals… It's free! Maybe you’ll meet new friends or find somebody who also plays that video game you were thinking of playing instead. 

Take Advantage of Student Discounts

You’re a student now. While your RIT ID gives you access to a ton of benefits, a lot of programs and companies give discounts to students regardless of college. Want that super special student pricing? Starting sooner rather than later gets you access to these upgrades for more time in your college life! Don’t find out super late about student discounts that you could have been taking advantage of this whole time. Look around! Check if your favorite services have student pricing! 

Learn New Things

This is the best time to learn things outside of your courses. Are you taking coding courses? Engineering? Art and animation? Try to diversify your interests! Make a website, make a game, learn to draw! This is, in my eyes, the best time to start developing new skills and interests. Further your career through your classes, but try out new things now that you have access to all of these labs and resources. This is the time to develop hobbies alongside a portfolio. 

Of course, there’s much more to learn during your freshman year. Everybody has their own pace of learning and understanding. Some things will take a while to click, and some will come as soon as you start getting the hang of college life. College can be scary, but overall, it's an amazing time and a great opportunity to become even more in your life.