College 101

Dear future college writing students,

                                                Welcome to Springfield College! I hope you have enjoyed it so far and aren’t too worn out from NSO. If you feel overwhelmed already, don’t worry you will get use to it soon. The first month of school will feel crazy, but you will have loads of fun and meet some amazing people.  Make sure you try and get involved on campus, whether it be through sports, clubs, or just activities in your dorm, it will help you get adjusted and meet new people.  Also, in your first week make an effort to get to know the people on your floor. If you have a floor anything like mine they will all soon become your new family.

            In college writing, and in all other classes my first piece of advice is try not to procrastinate. I know most of you won’t listen because I didn’t but I figured I should throw it out there. Trust me, it is not fun trying to do your homework an hour before it is due, especially if it is an essay. Speaking of essays, if you hate writing them don’t worry it’s not that bad. You only have to write five essays and the topics are all fairly open and easy. Unfortunately, you will have to do some research papers so just save yourself a lot of tears and frustration and learn how to do citations now or find yourself a good citation generator.  

            One thing college has taught me is to be open to everything. You will meet so many people from all across the country, and let me warn you now not everyone uses the same sayings as where you’re from. I found that out when I found out saying “wicked” is strictly a Massachusetts thing. While I’m talking about adapting to differences, learn to get along with your roommate. Even if it seems like you have nothing in common at first, you will probably soon find that you are in fact similar. If you’re not though just learn to be flexible, after all you are living with each other. Just remember that your roommate is an automatic first friend so make the best of it. It worked out well for me.

            Lastly, here are a few tips I was told when I started college that I listened to and I’m glad I did. First, leave your door open the first couple weeks of school or go down the hall and meet people. Hang out in the common room or knock on people’s doors, trust me they will want to meet people too. Second, nothing brings people together more than food so if your mom gave you a bunch of cookies before she left, offer them to people on the floor. That’s how the first person I met introduced themselves to me. Third, be willing to try new things. If someone asks you to go somewhere or do something, within reason, do it because why not. Lastly, enjoy your first semester. You will be incredibly busy, and the time goes by so fast. You will be amazed at the end of the semester how much you have changed and all the memories you have made with people that were strangers a few months ago. Good luck!