5 Things You Should Do When You Get to Campus

You’ve likely heard the phrase, “college will be the best four years of your life,” once or—if you’re like me—nearly a hundred times. Some people love this idea, enthused by the endless possibilities of what those four years could entail. To others, however, these words are overwhelming, creating pressure to live up to them and prompting the question, “how do I make these the best four years of my life?” 

This is what I found myself asking as I stepped foot on campus my freshman year. What I would soon discover is that college life, like regular life, has its ups and downs. It can be ripe with fun occasions and plenty of excitement, but can also be difficult—very difficult. I learned many lessons throughout my four years, and looking back, there are many things I would’ve done differently to make my four years truly amazing despite the many obstacles that would arise. 

One of these things is making sure to take time to establish a strong foundation from the start. After talking to several other college grads, I have created a list of 5 things that prospective students should do once they get to campus in order to lay the foundation for the “best four years” of their lives. 

1. Befriend your academic dean and advisor

You are your best advocate during college; If you want something, it is up to you to make it happen. One of the best ways you can set yourself up for success early on in college is establishing relationships with your academic dean and advisor. By getting to know these individuals and having them get to know you right away, they can offer curated guidance, knowledge, and support that will help you immensely throughout your time in college. It is best to build these relationships early so you feel comfortable coming to them when you need extra help such as an extension to an assignment or advice on switching out of a class.

2. Find the 3-5 friends 

One of the best parts about freshman year is that everyone is “new” and eager to meet people, so don’t be intimidated, even if you don’t know a single student on campus. Whether you know many, few, or no people at your prospective college, you will make new friends. This is the time to put yourself out there and get social. Be open-minded and get to know a variety of people with varying interests and backgrounds. You never know who might become the friends you will count on for years to come.

3. Find your “escape”

You are about to embark on a journey of growth and discovery. As exciting as this is, it can also be overwhelming, making it crucial for you to find your “escape.” This can be any place, club, or activity that feels like a home-away-from-home—your comfort place. I encourage you to explore the endless possibilities of what this may be and get creative! Don’t be afraid to try out new hobbies: rock climbing, journaling at a secret spot in the garden, ski club, tennis, or anything else you can think of!

4. Discover classes

College is the time to learn. Some of the best learning experiences come from taking classes that are foreign to anything you know or you want to know. You may have an idea of what you want to major in, but for many students, that intended major will change, sometimes several times. So, instead of putting all your eggs in one basket—or major—consider taking a variety of classes freshman year to expose yourself to different paths you could possibly take. You never know what you’ll love until you try it out, so try it early on while you still have time to switch your intended major.

5. Get to know your resources

Don’t put off finding help that is available to you until you desperately need it. Colleges often invest millions of dollars into their resources to help students be successful on campus. Your tuition helps fund these resources, so it’s a good idea to get to know them. Colleges have numerous ways to get help—career centers, testing accommodations, mental health centers, organized study groups, tutoring, and even mentorship—that you should explore. Figuring out how to utilize these resources early on will help you establish a strong foundation for when classes or life get tough.