How I Survived My First Semester in College

This past fall I started my first semester at Michigan State University, where there are thousands of students, which can be very, very intimidating. Even if you attend or plan to attend a small college, the idea of starting a new life away from home is scary. Looking back as I start my second semester, I realized I adjusted pretty well. Here are the ways I survived...

1. I found new friends. Although I do have friends from high school who attend Michigan State University, I think it's essential to reach out and find new ones. College gives you so many opportunities to meet others.

2. I made my room feel like home. Don't think of your room as just a "temporary" place to stay. Make sure you have all the materials you need to make it comfortable and a space where you can both work and relax. 

My dorm room, where we hung a hammock underneath my bed.

3. I read the syllabus. READ READ READ the syllabus for every class! They often give you the class schedule for the entire semester and that way, you can estimate how much time you'll have to spend on homework for each class. The more credits it is, the more time outside of class you should be spending studying. The syllabus also sometimes gives rubrics for homework assignments, which you can follow to get the grade you desire. 

4. Get a part-time, flexible job. I find that having a job helps me stay organized and plan my time out well, to make sure everything I need to do gets done. Not to mention saving up to pay off student loans! It is usually pretty simple to find a job on campus that will give you ten to fifteen hours a week and will work around your class schedule. 

5. Take care of yourself. Exercise, eat well, and sleep. If you don't do these things, it will be difficult to be successful in other aspects of your life. 

Stay Beautiful,

Sadie