College 101: Practical Advice for Rising University Freshmen

There’s a lot of advice flying around about how to “make the most” of your college experience. Some of it’s helpful, some of it’s cliché, and a lot of it misses the practical stuff students actually need in those first few weeks. Whether you're headed to a large university or a smaller liberal arts college, these seven strategies can help set the tone for a confident, successful first semester.

1. Research before you register.
The best college schedules aren’t just about the classes you take, but how and when you take them. Check www.RateMyProfessors.com to learn more about particular professors. Ask older students what to avoid. Dodge those dreaded 8 a.m. classes unless you’re truly a morning person. And once classes start, don’t be afraid to tweak your schedule during the add/drop period, usually the first week of class. 

2. Put your Google Calendar to work.
As soon as you get your course syllabi (the paper handed out or published the first day of class), sit down with a digital or physical planner and enter every major deadline: quizzes, papers, group projects, midterms, finals. Then add in university-wide dates like registration deadlines, holidays, and drop/withdrawal cutoffs. You’ll thank yourself later when midterms roll around and you’re not scrambling.

3. Know your attendance policy.
Different professors have different rules, and it’s your job to know them. Some take attendance with scary precision. Others don’t care… until they do. As few as three absences can lead to a lower grade or even being dropped from a class. The policy is always on the syllabus. Read it and jot down dates of any classes you miss.

4. Understand the AI rules.
College campuses are still figuring out how to deal with AI tools like ChatGPT. Policies can vary dramatically between departments, classes, and professors. Some instructors will encourage you to use it responsibly. Others might consider a single search cheating. Just read the syllabus. All of it!

5. Go to the welcome events. (Yes, even the awkward ones).
Orientation week icebreakers and dorm mixers may feel cringey, but they’re also where friendships begin. Even if you don’t meet your people right away, it’s essential to be out and about during the first few weeks of school, when students are most receptive to meeting new people. 

6. Stop the social media spiral.
Your friends from home will look like they’re living their best lives on Instagram and TikTok… but they probably aren’t. Everyone’s adjusting. Everyone’s figuring it out. Social media is a highlight reel, not real life. Focus on building your experience, not comparing it.

7. Be patient with yourself.
College is a major transition. It’s okay if things feel awkward, confusing, or overwhelming at first. They do for everyone. The goal isn’t to have it all figured out right away; the goal is to learn and adapt as you go.