Austin Price, Editor in Chief
The college journey is one of the most influential, substantial, and wonderful times of a person's life. However, it can also be one of the scariest, most intimidating, and overwhelming times of a person's life. And so, as I embark on my senior year of college at Regis, I come to you all with some pieces of advice that are realistic to achieve, and that will help you manage this new environment while keeping your sanity in check. So, let’s begin!
Give Yourself Some Grace
One of the most common mistakes I have made, and have seen other people make, is to punish yourself for making a human mistake. In case you don’t know it yet, you will oversleep and be late for class sometimes. You will bomb a test you thought you were prepared for. You will say the wrong answer in front of a class, and you will screw up. That is ok! I cannot emphasize enough how imperative it is to give yourself a break, grant yourself some grace, and understand that mistakes, accidents, and slip-ups are an unavoidable part of life. No one can treat you better than you treat yourself. So please, be kind to yourself and know that you’re only human and college is hard. You’re not expected to be perfect at it at any point, and certainly not in your first year.
Don’t Overbuy on School Supplies
I will admit that I am guilty of overconsuming unnecessary school supplies. My little elementary school self took full control during my freshmen year of college and spent an exorbitant amount of money on a ton of supplies I didn’t need and never used. Now that I’ve reigned in the shopping addict of my former self, my school supply budget stays under $20. For me, all I need for a new semester at college is a planner, a notebook, and a set of gel pens. This list is short and sweet and was formulated after my first 3 years of college where I lugged around an overflowing backpack with binders, stickers, and folders, all of which were unnecessary. So, I’m saving you all the time and money that I spent by advising you to shop small and shop smart when it comes to school supplies.
Be Selective in Your Extracurriculars
College is a breeding ground for new clubs, electives, student organizations, volunteer projects, and social gatherings. While these opportunities are great, they can also be excessive and cause stress and burnout. I am warning you now that you will be bombarded at activity fairs and internship events with new opportunities and optional programs. While this can provide valuable experiences, it can also lead to students being peer pressured into excessive projects, overpowering the initial mission of pursuing higher education. With the immense potential in work-study possibilities and the social atmosphere from clubs and events, I recommend each college student only selects one or two extracurriculars to start. Remember, you can always add more extracurriculars to your schedule once you feel settled into your starting routine. If you start by commiting to too many extracurriculars at the start, you will feel too much pressure and be stretched too thin. As I said, college is hard, and to make it a bit easier, limit your number of responsibilities to start out. You can always add, but it’s hard to subtract.
Invest in Reliable Technology
A functional, reliable, and up-to-date piece of technology is an irreplaceable investment for college students. Most students choose either a laptop or a tablet to use for schoolwork, and this is an important part of college life. Most of your assignments are done electronically, and submitted electronically, so a functional piece of technology that can be used in any environment is an integral part of your successful college life. Be sure to have your chosen device updated and serviced before the start of the year and begin implementing an organizational system that will keep your files and electronic work separated appropriately. In addition to a laptop or tablet, investing in earbuds, headphones, or other hearing devices will provide enhanced focus for studying, and gives a clear sound for online tutorials, videos, or other learning materials.
Take Advantage of Your Resources
Colleges and universities often offer a variety of resources for students. These include services such as mentoring, tutoring, and career counseling. Other amenities include medical care such as physical insurance, mental wellness, and emotional support. There are also material resources including school supplies, clothing, merchandise, and swag gear. I recommend you use these resources to their fullest extent. The real world outside of college doesn’t have the same catalog of easily accessible resources, and by using these resources while they’re in reach, you will be better prepared when you don’t have them in the future.
And with that, I wish you all the best of luck in your first year of college. Please know that you’re not on this journey alone, and that you are allowed to make mistakes. You will be ok, you will get through this, and you will succeed.