By Shania Brown
​​
Here you are, freshly graduated from high school and about to embark on “the best four years of your life.” You know where you’re going to college, you have your class schedule and your textbooks—so that’s pretty much all you need to know, right? Wrong. Your freshman year is basically the beginning of the rest of your life, and I’m here to give you a few tips on how to make the best of that journey. 

1. You will be overwhelmed. 

​The second you step on to campus you are going to be freaking out a bit. From freshmen orientation, to figuring out where your classes are, you are going to struggle. But the cool thing is, there is a whole population of people that are riding that struggle bus right along with you. Use these times to jump out of your comfort zone and make new friends—I guarantee you won’t regret it. 

2. Find Balance​

​Being active on your campus is so important, in fact I encourage it! Find the things that make you happy, whether it be singing in the school choir or being involved in social clubs. But at the same time, give yourself time to breathe. It is so easy to start putting these things before your education and yourself, so be sure to set aside time to study and time to relax. 

3. Please, ask for help.

All of a sudden you have this newfound independence, and the last thing you want is to look like you have no idea what you are doing. Fun fact: literally no one knows what they’re doing in college. But, there are plenty of people on your campus—resident assistants, counselors, and even your professors that are there for you and only want to see you succeed. One of the greatest things about York College is how everyone, even the faculty and staff enjoy helping all the students as much as they possibly can. Find those people and hold on to them tight.

4. Realize how lucky you are.

​The mere fact that you are receiving a higher education is something to celebrate. But please, take advantage of it. Study hard, and take your classes seriously. Between all the activities, organizations, and jobs that you will be involved with it is pretty easy to forget that you are actually at this place to take classes and get a degree. After all, the things you are learning now are one hundred percent preparing you for the future. 

5. You are going to change

It’s going to happen, and that is okay. If you have realized it or not, you have spent a lot of time working on yourself since you have been home last. You’ll go home one weekend to find your old bedroom is now storage and all of a sudden you’re making strained conversation with your high school friends. It’s weird and awkward, but at the same time, you will learn to accept it. Change sucks--but you growing into a new and phenomenal person is a welcome one—to you and everyone around you. Embrace it.