- ALWAYS BE YOURSELF
It’s never a good idea to try to put on a mask or fake it; people will see
straight through it and you’ll feel much more comfortable if you are not
trying to be someone you’re not. With time, you will unavoidably and
certainly change and grow up, but that comes with the experience, not
because you’re trying too hard. Just take it easy.
- DON’T BE SHY
Don’t be afraid to start up random conversations with people you just
happen to be standing next to – that is how you make your new friends. Its
highly likely, they’re just as nervous as you and will welcome the chance
to have a conversation! Even if you normally wouldn’t make the first move
to introduce yourself to somebody, make the effort and others will be
grateful. Remember that you’re all sailing in the same boat.
- INTERACT WITH YOUR
SENIORS
Your seniors have been there and done that. Nobody knows the college
better than they do. They are possibly one of those few people who can
actually acquaint you with the do’s and dont’s. Since they’ve already been
through these experiences they may also be able to empathise well with you
and lend a helping hand wherever you get stuck.
- WORK HARD – PARTY HARDER
“Once you’ve got into a college of your
choice, you don’t need to work at all” This is something you must have heard
all this while. Let me tell you, this is far away from what the truth is.
College life can be darn exhausting, its all about striking the right
balance – yes, it’s important to take your classes seriously, but it’s
equally necessary to cut loose and have fun during your undergraduate
years. Don’t be too hard on yourself. Go make some memories out there.
- SIGN UP FOR THE
SOCIETIES
Sign up to any clubs that slightly interest you. College life is the time
to experiment and realise your hidden potentials. Bring out the
actor/singer/artist you’ve kept hidden for so long.
- GO WITH THE FLOW
Try not to worry if everyone isn’t as friendly as you are – it’s likely
you won’t get on with everyone you meet on your first day. You’re bound to
make lots of friends outside your department as well so you don’t have to
feel like a social outcast. You’ve probably had everyone telling you that
you’ll meet your friends for life in college. Many freshers thus find
themselves engulfed in a wild panic after apparently having not discovered
these special people just a few days in. Though many great friendships are
made in the first few weeks, many, many more are made throughout the year
and there will be plenty of opportunities to meet your future soul-mates.
- FEELING HOMESICK IS
ALRIGHT
For time immemorial, there have been freshers crying hysterically on the
phone to their parents about how college has been a disappointment and way
below their expectations. You may hate it and want to go home immediately.
This is completely normal. Moving to a different town or city – often for
the first time, away from regular, happy routines that you’ve developed
over nearly two decades – can be a massive shock to the system. Remember
you may not feel at home instantly. It is going to take some TIME. Dont
give up, give it a chance. It’ll pass.
- GET TO KNOW YOUR
SURROUNDINGS
Get acquainted with your university and campus beforehand (take a trip up
there with your parents or friends) especially if you are living on
campus, get to know the halls and area of the college so you’ll feel more
confident.
- EXPERIMENT
Student life is the chance to express yourself in a way that you were
maybe unable to do so back home, limited perhaps by parental pressure, or
a basic lack of opportunity. So by all means, die your hair purple,get
those dreadlocks you’ve been wanting for so long, get your eyebrow
pierced, buy a top hat and wander round campus in pyjamas, if that floats
your boat. Always remember fashion may come and go but style goes on
forever.
- DON’T SUCCUMB TO PEER PRESSURE
Everyone wants plenty of friends to hang out with, and chill out with but
there is also the peer pressure that comes when they feel they have to do
something their friends want to do, and if they don’t they will either be
isolated, rejected, teased/bullied. Insecurity creeps in and they just go
with it against their better judgement. This is something you may feel in
college. People may ask you to do things you may not want to do. Don’t
feel sorry for yourself. Stand by your words and say NO.
- THINK BROADER
You do need to live in harmony, so be amiable, don’t make assumptions
based on appearances. This is a rare opportunity for expanding your
horizons, so even if someone doesn’t seem your type, give them a chance.
Northerners, southerners, rich kids, poor kids, nerds, gays, straights,
party lovers, fashionistas, potheads, showoffs, spoil brats – they’ll all
be there in your college, but life is immeasurably richer by getting to
know them.
- ENGAGE IN AS MANY SOCIAL
EVENTS AS POSSIBLE
Try to go to as many social events as possible. It may be a little tiring,
and you’re unlikely to remember everyone later, but the more people you
meet now, the more you will bump into other people you will recognize and
can chat with later on.
- MAKE THE BEST OF IT.
College life lasts just for mere 3 years. These three years will pass even
before you realise. You will have a more flexible schedule. Notice I
didn’t say “free time.” You may technically have a class at 8 am, but as a
college student, you may get a lot of time to yourself too. So use this
time wisely. Learn new languages, interact with different people, go
beyond your comfort zone, go crazy. Remember what they say? You’re only
young once!
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