How to Thrive in Your First Semester of College: Essential Tips for Brand New College Students

Welcome to day one of your college career! Your first semester in college can be an exciting and transformational experience, but it might also feel a bit overwhelming. From move-in day and the first week of welcome events to all your new classes and extracurriculars—and of course, friends—it can be quite a whirlwind!

You’re turning the page on a whole new chapter of your life and stepping into an environment you’ve never experienced before. Don’t worry, you’re ready for this. To help you navigate this new journey, we’ve put together a handy guide with tips for settling in and making friends, handling homesickness, building good study habits and how to find campus resources available to you here at Mount Mary.

Making Friends: Find Your People
For some, making new friends in college can seem daunting. Just remember, you’re not the only one who feels this way. Everyone else is just as new to the college experience as you are, and just as eager to make some new friends. Chances are, if you muster up the courage to start a conversation with someone, they’ll be relieved that you did! All you’ve got to do is smile and introduce yourself, maybe offer a compliment or a relatable remark about what’s going on around you.

So, how do you meet these amazing new friends? Of course, you’ll meet people in your classes, but don’t wait until then to start making connections. There are so many other opportunities to make friends outside the classroom that you can take advantage of. Attending orientation events should be your first stop. This is your best opportunity to meet other first year students and to learn about the clubs and student organizations you can join, as well as other activities available to students. Extracurricular activities are another great place to make friends, especially with people whose interests align with your own.

Finally, try to get to know the people on your dorm floor. It’s always a good idea to know your neighbors—and these people may end up becoming your go-go group for movie nights and study sessions.

Settling into Dorm Life: Make it Yours 
Living in a college dorm for the first time is an experience that will likely take a bit of time to adjust to. You’re living away from home, probably for the first time, which can feel very strange and unknown. Plus, even the best dorm rooms are limited on space, meaning that you can only bring so much with you. If you’re not sure what to pack and what to leave at home, check out our previous post “The Ultimate College Packing List” for a checklist of essentials, plus some helpful tips. Once you’ve got all the essentials checked off your list, it's time to think about those few special things that will make your dorm room feel like yours. Choose a few photos, posters and knickknacks, your favorite bedding, or your favorite books—whatever will make your room feel more comfortable and personal.

Organization is also an important topic to discuss with your roommate. Everyone has different habits and preferences, so getting those out in the open before they become an issue will help prevent conflict and enable you to live together more harmoniously. Other important topics to discuss with your roommate include noise levels, preferred bedtimes, and guest policies.

Beyond that, it’s also a good idea to talk to your roommate about each other’s likes and dislikes, goals and dreams, hobbies, etc... get to know each other! You don’t have to be best friends, but fostering a good roommate relationship will help to make your dorm feel homier and more inviting.

Handling Homesickness: Stay Connected While Embracing Change 
At some point during the incredible experience that is your first semester in college, you’re probably going to be hit with a bout of homesickness. Don’t feel ashamed or beat yourself up about it. It doesn’t mean that you’re not enjoying college, or that you’re doing something wrong. It’s a common challenge that many of your peers are facing right alongside you. So, when it happens, remember that it’s okay to miss home. You’re not alone, and there are plenty of things you can do to help it ache a little bit less.

Of course, the first thing you can do is stay in touch with your family and friends back home. Make time to regularly call, text, or video chat with them, and when you’re feeling homesick, tell them about it! Connection and comfort can work wonders in making you feel better. The next thing you can do is create some new traditions, like a weekly movie night with the people on your dorm floor, or a monthly Saturday brunch out with friends. This will give you something to look forward to and help add a bit of sparkle to your everyday life.

Another great way to keep homesickness at bay is to focus on what’s in front of you. Outside of classes, make a point to get out and explore your area. Get to know the campus, find your favorite spots to hangout and study. Head out and explore the surrounding town and city, check out local events and landmarks. The more you get to know your new area, the more familiar it will become. Before you know it, your new environment just might start feeling like home too!

Finally, know when it’s time to seek support. Sometimes, what you’re feeling and experiencing is just too much to process on your own. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or sad, or if you're just looking for an outside perspective, the Counseling and Wellness Center offers free individual and group counseling for students. Sometimes, just having someone who will listen to what you’re going through and offer insight or guidance can make all the difference and tip the scales from floundering to flourishing.

Building Good Study Habits: Start Strong 
Establishing good study habits isn’t something to be left until the last minute. To start strong, you’ve got to get ahead of the game. The strongest study strategy is one that’s tailored to your unique needs and supports your learning style. That’s why it’s a good idea to begin planning out your study strategies before your first day of class. Once you know your class timetable, start drawing up a study and homework schedule for yourself, so you can be sure you’ll have time to complete assignments and prepare for exams without cramming at the last minute. Remember, college level coursework is more rigorous than the work you did in high school. Make a point to start on assignments early, break larger tasks up into smaller, more manageable ones and allocate plenty of time to complete every assignment.

When shopping for supplies, think about what notetaking methods work best for you, and buy accordingly. Are you more of a color-coded pens type, or do you prefer highlighters? Do you rely on a planner, lists, sticky notes, or a combination of these? Do you have a separate notebook for each class, or do you prefer to have binders for your courses? These are just a few questions to get you started.

After you’ve settled in, take some time to wander around campus and scope out potential study spots. Do you prefer the quiet of the library? Or are you someone who focuses best in an environment like a coffee shop, where there’s a bit more ambient background noise? Also make a point to stop by the Student Success Center to get a sense of the resources available to you. This is the on-campus hub for academic advising, accessibility services, tutoring and more. They’re there to help you and want to see you succeed!

Final Thoughts
Your first semester in college is an amazing time, full of exploration, growth, transformation and discovery. It can be an overwhelming whirlwind of new experiences, and it’s okay to feel uncertain in the face of so much that’s unknown. Just remember to breathe through the doubt, embrace the challenges and cherish the experiences and memories you’re making. You’ve got this! These tips and resources will help guide you along the way. Before you know it, you’ll be thriving in this new chapter of your life and turning around to offer support and advice to a new class of incoming freshmen.

We hope you're looking forward to a great year ahead just as much as we are, and we can’t wait to see the amazing things you’ll do!