One of my students received his acceptance letter from a local university just a few weeks ago. Not only was I really happy for him when he showed me the letter (and asked me if this really meant that he was in), but I suddenly remembered how I felt back before my first semester in college: Scared of failure, determined to succeed, uncertain how I needed to proceed.
What people may not be able to see today is that back then, I was just a young girl from the wrong side of town, from parents who had not graduated from college, from a long line of farmers and mechanics. My father was a postal worker and my mother a stay-at-home-mom who later became a part-time church secretary. As a first-generation college student, that first semester on the Oklahoma Baptist University campus was exhilarating, intimidating, and overwhelming.
As I pondered the advice I wanted to give my student, and thought about my experience navigating the foreign territory of college life, it occurred to me that the best people to advise him are the young men and women he already knows who have completed the first semester of their freshman year. The mistakes, the successes, the pitfalls, and the mountaintops are still fresh in their minds.
So I decided to ask them — along with a couple of professors and pre-service teachers who are a little further along in their college careers. Here is what they had to say.
College students: What advice would you give to this year’s seniors to help them survive and flourish in their first semester of college? @P_Spencerr @ashton_nicole99 @EmbryJackson2 @LaylaRaeH #rethinkela #freshmanadvice #collegeadvice pic.twitter.com/7XbDbDuKgn
— Michelle Waters ? (@watersenglish) February 7, 2018
They all replied, and this is what they had to say…
1. Don’t be afraid.
Don’t be scared college is not that scary, but make sure to stay on top of your work and don’t be afraid to go to your professors when you need help.
— Ashton (@ashton_nicole99) February 7, 2018
2. Follow a schedule.
Don’t set unrealistic expectations and know your limits. Follow a schedule and you’ll succeed
— Peyton Spencer (@P_Spencerr) February 7, 2018
Get either a “To Do:” journal or a planner. Read your syllabus and write down all of the due dates to stay on top of everything. Color coding for different classes/most important events is also a good way determine where to start
— Peyton Spencer (@P_Spencerr) February 7, 2018
3. Learn correct MLA and APA formatting.
Don’t take an 8am, learn the correct MLA and APA style formatting.
— Jackson Embry (@Embry_567) February 7, 2018
4. Learn to manage your time.
I cannot stress out time management enough. Figure out your schedule and make a plan for each week. College is fast paced so it’s really important to stay on top of things. You’ll be amazed by how quickly you can fall behind!
— lay?? (@LaylaRaeH) February 7, 2018
5. Buy your textbooks after you look at the syllabus.
College is 10% class, 10% homework, 10% work, and 70% managing to eek out something that resembles a social life. You’ll learn more in college outside of the lecture hall than in. Buy textbooks AFTER looking at syllabi. Use https://t.co/LntCGlRSXA to find the best price.
— Brody Smith (@Mr_BrodyS) February 7, 2018
6. Talk to your professors!
Same. Something many forget is that profs can negotiate. Due dates, extra credit, absences. Talk to your professor!
— Brody Smith (@Mr_BrodyS) February 7, 2018
7. Build your study network ASAP
I’d like to add that you should start ASAP building your study network — those people in your classes (or who were in those classes) who you can study with. I’d recommend choosing people who know more than you, and people who you can help.
— Michelle Waters | #INFP ? (@watersenglish) March 19, 2018
What advice would you like to offer to the young men and women who are about to embark on this new chapter of their lives?