Former College Students Share Their Best Advice For Incoming First-Years

What do you need to know about college? We're here to share all of the best first-semester secrets.

We recently asked former college students what they wish they had known when they were starting their first year. Here is their best advice:

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1. It's okay if you don't immediately know what you want to major in or study.

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Some of my friends knew what they wanted to study since day one, and I remember being stressed that I didn't feel as confident as them. It took me two years to pick the major I wanted and it all worked out! College is all about learning about yourself and what you want for your future, even if that means taking some random classes to figure out what you like and don't like. —Alex S.

2. Build a schedule that works for you.

While most of my friends had classes every weekday, I was lucky enough to schedule all of mine on the same two or three days every semester. While this might not be possible or the best option for everyone, it really helped me keep from getting burnt out. Plus, I could use my off-days to catch up on homework and participate in extracurricular activities. Find what works for you! —Brooke B.

3. For all the creatives being pressured into noncreative majors because it "pays the bills," don't be afraid to take a chance on yourself.

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There are more ways to make money with "creative" degrees than ever before. Be smart, but you don't have to end up in something soul-sucking. —Nichi H.

4. Don't think that you can study in the dorm.

It's just not happening because of distractions, roommates, and suitemates. Give in to clocking some much-more-productive time in the library. —Elizabeth L.

5. Buy a good pair of headphones.

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That first year in the dorms, it’s nearly impossible to find a place for yourself. But if you make it clear to your roommate “headphones on = door closed,” it makes for a nice retreat. —Tim U.

6. Don't put too much pressure on yourself!

A lot of things you think matter so much in college don't matter very much in your career. Things like which college you went to, what your major(s) was, whether or not you had a minor, even your GPA. —Alison P.

7. When the second semester comes around, schedule your classes around peak mealtimes if possible.

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Nothing was worse than getting out of lecture at 7 p.m. three days a week and picking through the scraps left over from the 5 p.m. dinner rush. —Andrea S.

8. Get savvy and make the most of your dining hall arrangement if you have one.

Take a to-go cup for beverage/coffee refills; fill a reusable water bottle with milk and put it in your mini fridge for late-night cereal sessions; bring a food storage container if you're covert enough about sneaking a full meal out. —Sophia C.

9. Pace yourself.

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You don't have to say yes to everything all at once. You don't want to burn out too quickly. —Tara P.

10. Hold on to your college syllabus.

When you’re applying for internships or job opportunities in your chosen field, the best way to explain your knowledge of a subject is to cruise over the course syllabus to remember what you’ve actually learned because everything is listed out perfectly, thanks to your professor. —Kit S.

11. Don't waste your first year in a bubble!

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Where a lot of people around me were joining clubs, intramural teams, or generally mingling in my first year, I was really comfortable with just hanging with my roommate and not doing much. It took me until sophomore year (and my roommate transferring schools) to realize what I was missing out on. The second I stepped out of that bubble and joined a couple clubs, I felt more engaged with the community of my school and made loads of new friends whom I never would have interacted with otherwise! —Emily C.

Submissions have been edited for length, clarity, and spelling.

How else can you prepare for your first year of college? By going to Target and stocking up on dorm room essentials, of course!

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