By Mitch Fahey, Staff Writer, Emerson College
When I got to Emerson last year, I felt like a fish out of water during orientation week. It always takes me a while to be myself when I’m in a new situation, but this was different. This was college. For the first time, I was really on my own, without my family or close friends. The hardest part for me the first few weeks was worrying about making friends. I now know that If I had just been myself right off the bat, I wouldn't have had to worry about anything. Now I’m friends with some of the best people I know and I can’t even imagine why I was initially so closed off and shy as a freshman.
Here’s the advice I wish someone gave me last year: An important part of making friends is to not be afraid of meeting new people. It may be difficult to realize at first, but everyone’s in the same boat when college starts: entering an unfamiliar situation, feeling lonely, and trying to adjust to a new life. Some people just know how to navigate those waters better than others, but breaking out of your shell, being yourself, and actively trying new things is my best advice to find friends. If you’re genuine, you’ll find people who share similar interests and like you for you. It’s all about getting out there and looking for the right people with whom you can forge everlasting friendship. Effort is the most important key in making friends.
Here’s the advice I wish someone gave me last year: An important part of making friends is to not be afraid of meeting new people. It may be difficult to realize at first, but everyone’s in the same boat when college starts: entering an unfamiliar situation, feeling lonely, and trying to adjust to a new life. Some people just know how to navigate those waters better than others, but breaking out of your shell, being yourself, and actively trying new things is my best advice to find friends. If you’re genuine, you’ll find people who share similar interests and like you for you. It’s all about getting out there and looking for the right people with whom you can forge everlasting friendship. Effort is the most important key in making friends.
Awesome! You found some friends and think you’re a hotshot. You’re having fun, getting drunk, and getting laid. But oh no, you forgot about the work aspect of college...classes. Freshman classes are mostly boring general education classes and general major classes, but you have to get through them. Since you’re forking out fifty grand a year, get what you’re paying for and actually go to class. I skipped a few too many classes last year and I regret what I missed out on when I decided an extra hour of sleep was more important than learning some really cool shit. Don’t get me wrong, naps are great, but there is a time and a place for them. My advice is to work hard during the week so you can have a fun-fueled weekend full of relaxation and bad decisions. Work hard, play hard, it’s that simple. But, the most important thing I learned about classes last year was scheduling. Avoid having 8 a.m.’s more than twice a week. Trust me, this isn’t high school. It’s impossible to live that way and you’ll be dead most of the week having to wake up so early every day. Speaking of everyday, DON’T HAVE ANY CLASSES ON FRIDAY! You will want a three-day weekend, especially when your friends all don’t have Friday class and are enjoying the start of their weekend with thirsty Thursdays and you have to go to bed earlier than your grandmother.
Now let’s talk about the most fun part of college. SEX! But first, let me forewarn you about relationships, or as they should be referred to freshman year, relation-shits. Speaking from experience, long-distance is not a good idea. It never works. Let me repeat that: it never works. The only relationships you should care about as a frosh are your relationships with yourself and your friends. My advice, regardless of gender or sexual orientation, is to mess around with as many biddies or guy biddies as you can. Redefine the freshman 15 to mean your number of sexual partners, instead of the amount of weight you gain. Just go out, have some fun, and get some D or some V. I know after I broke up with my ex-girlfriend last September, all I wanted to do was hit the gym and hit dat ass. It’s fun and important because it helps get the crazy immatureness out of your system so you’ll be ready to have a meaningful relationship in the future.
Now let’s talk about the most fun part of college. SEX! But first, let me forewarn you about relationships, or as they should be referred to freshman year, relation-shits. Speaking from experience, long-distance is not a good idea. It never works. Let me repeat that: it never works. The only relationships you should care about as a frosh are your relationships with yourself and your friends. My advice, regardless of gender or sexual orientation, is to mess around with as many biddies or guy biddies as you can. Redefine the freshman 15 to mean your number of sexual partners, instead of the amount of weight you gain. Just go out, have some fun, and get some D or some V. I know after I broke up with my ex-girlfriend last September, all I wanted to do was hit the gym and hit dat ass. It’s fun and important because it helps get the crazy immatureness out of your system so you’ll be ready to have a meaningful relationship in the future.
Now, as I sophomore, I couldn’t be happier or more in love with my girlfriend and I believe that it’s because I got all my horny impulses out of my system last year. I understand not everyone is like this. Having a lot of sex freshman year doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be in or want to be in a committed relationship any time in the near future. But it does help you mature and learn to respect others, which is essential for any relationship. Most importantly, though, don’t forget to learn to love you, and have a positive relationship with yourself. This isn’t about jerking off. It’s about growing as an individual and being happy with who you are. I was able to discover this through going to the gym, eating right, and generally just doing things that make me happy. Everyone is different, just have fun doing whatever you enjoy most and stick with it.
Freshman year of college is always a difficult time for students. When I came to Emerson as a freshman I know I had a tough times adjusting to all that makes college a trying transition. I learned a whole lot about myself and about understanding college life. The best way to have a good freshman year is to focus on yourself and your friends and be confident. The rest will all come soon enough. I can’t guarantee your freshman year will be perfect; but, if I have had this knowledge last year, I know my adjustment would have been a hell of a lot easier. Just remember to have fun, go to class, and grow up. College can be a great and memorable experience in your life, so make the most of your time!
Mitch was born in a lab in wrong island New York, blessed with a donk the size of Texas. He is a writing for film and TV sophomore who enjoys the tender touch of a sea otter and long walks on the beach. You can find him on Twitter and Facebook.
Images: postparty.com, alivelimo.com, natcom.org
Freshman year of college is always a difficult time for students. When I came to Emerson as a freshman I know I had a tough times adjusting to all that makes college a trying transition. I learned a whole lot about myself and about understanding college life. The best way to have a good freshman year is to focus on yourself and your friends and be confident. The rest will all come soon enough. I can’t guarantee your freshman year will be perfect; but, if I have had this knowledge last year, I know my adjustment would have been a hell of a lot easier. Just remember to have fun, go to class, and grow up. College can be a great and memorable experience in your life, so make the most of your time!
Mitch was born in a lab in wrong island New York, blessed with a donk the size of Texas. He is a writing for film and TV sophomore who enjoys the tender touch of a sea otter and long walks on the beach. You can find him on Twitter and Facebook.
Images: postparty.com, alivelimo.com, natcom.org