Do's and Dont's: Freshman Year

from Senior Elite Magazine | Volume 3

DO’S & DONT’S

FRESHMAN Y E A R

I remember committing to Alma College and feeling so many exciting emotions, from being a first-generation college student to being another Latina attending college, but as soon as my family said goodbye to me on moving day, I knew I really did commit that day. Coming from a Hispanic household meant that family is EVERYTHING. Therefore being away from home was definitely my biggest battle. Not getting together to eat dinner? Yeah. I cried for a couple of weeks. The first few weeks for me were very hard. I missed my family, my boyfriend, and my cats!! Although it starts off difficult, trust me, it gets better!! I made so many friends this past year and I am forever thankful for them. Especially, my roommate, she became one of my best friends, and if your roommate becomes your best friend as well, be thankful! Not all roommate stories are the best. College is filled with so many new experiences! A couple of personal examples: I pulled my first allnighter in college to study for my biology exam! Would I recommend it? Absolutely not. But hey, if you have to do it, do it with caution. I ate French Fries every single day in college. Again, would I recommend it? Absolutely not. Was it fun? Yes, but now that I am home, I don’t want to see French Fries ever again. As I am reflecting on my first year of college, which goes by fast let me tell you that, I am here to enlighten any seniors with a few college do’s and don’t.

DO: Go to class every day!

No matter what others tell you, please go to class every day. A professor might drop a test hint or even offer extra credit for attendance.

DON’T: Don’t wait until the night before to study

This one right here will save your grades and pretty much your life. Always begin to study for a test at least a week in advance or two if you can. Studying the night before will just stress you out even more.

DO: Bring flip-flops for the showers.

Honestly, just please trust me on this one.

Don’t: Bring your entire room to college.

As many college students may say, “make your dorm room feel like your room back home”, I advise you to make your dorm room feel like your room back home but with less stuff. I literally bought my entire room, and moving out day was a nightmare! Just ask my mom.

DO: HAVE FUN! College is such a fun experience, from living in dorm rooms to making friends from all around the country, or even the world! Definitely take it down a notch on the weekends and have fun. Explore your college city, or stay in and watch a fun movie with friends!

To my first-generation college students: YOU GOT THIS! It’s going to be hard, I am not going to lie, but that degree? Yeah, so worth it! There will be days where you’ll just feel like giving up, but just breathe and take it day by day and

I promise your first year will do just fine.

To my Latinos attending college: ¡SI SE PUEDE! We are not just some statistic, we are the future!! Keep fighting, our Latino community needs us!

This article is from:

Senior Elite Magazine | Volume 3