A Freshman Guide: 5 Tips to Ensure Your Stay is Worthwhile

By Brittany Tai on July 18, 2012

: www.hellogiggles.com

Freshman might as well be foreign tourists. You have no idea where some buildings are even how to read the campus map, but I think this article can certainly help you out during your “stay” here at UCF. My intention is to not give you the basic “go to class” type of advice, but rather to give insight on how to make the best out of your college years from my personal experience. If I could do things over my freshman and sophomore years, I totally would but alas that will never happen so here I am trying to live vicariously through you. Here it goes:
1. TALK TO YOUR ADVISOR(s). I cannot stress this enough. These people will keep you on the right track to graduation. If you think you know it all and don’t need an advisor, well then prepare to stay an undergrad for more than the standard 4 years.

2. GET INVOLVED. Sulking in your dorm or eating at the Marketplace alone can all be prevented. Join a registered student organization. There are over 100 clubs at UCF, you’re bound to find one that interests. There’s even a chocolate club, need I say more? Clubs are where you’re going to meet people who have commonalities with you. Clubs = friends.

3. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF UCF’S RESOURCES. At the beginning of every semester, you pay an “Activity and Service Fee” which gives you complete access to all of UCF’s resources for student success. There are numerous computer labs equipped with PC’s or MAC’s for you to use while you study, do homework or just surf the net. Some labs even let you print without an additional fee. The health center provides complete services if you’re ever feeling sick, staffed with professional MD’s and RN’s. There’s plenty more too, you just have to find it.

4. DO HOMEWORK. A given. But it’s really easy to pass a class just by doing homework or reading the assigned pages. Some classes don’t grade your homework or even require you to turn it in, but it’s for your benefit. Don’t be too lazy. At least do it, so you know what’s on the exam. This is also where you gain discipline!

5. BE RESPONSIBLE. Many a college students are under the impression that they’re indestructible and that college is the place to do crazy things. Well, yes, but to an extent. Remember you’re here for your education and you can’t do that if something happens to you. I’m not saying don’t have those wild nights you won’t remember (because you probably will), but make sure you’re able to tell the story of that crazy night.

Okay. So I save the best for last, which is HAVE FUN. College years can be the best years, and whatever you make it out to be. You never know. College may be where you find your best friend, reunite with old ones, and even find love. Don’t let these years pass you by. Take every hardship with a grain of salt and remember that you’re here to be the person you want to become in the future.