So, you’re a freshman and you’re wondering what on earth someone only three years your senior can offer you in the way of guidance for your first year of semi-independence. To answer your question: not a heck of a lot, but I do have a few hints and tricks that will hopefully make this hilariously awkward transition into fully-functioning, responsible adulthood as painless as possible.
To begin with, I imagine the most pressing thing on your mind, if you’re anything like most freshman, is trying to find and make friends as fast as humanly possible and to keep from having to go anywhere on campus alone. This applies if you’re one of those souls who came to MSU without the benefit of your best friend from high school or whatever, but honestly anyone coming up here should learn how to branch out and connect with people they haven’t been going to school with since grade school.
There are lots of ways to meet people. It shouldn’t even be necessary to list them, but as a courtesy I’ll rattle off a few good starts: Rush, dorm, organizations and class. There are countless others, obviously, but these are great ways to connect. And if you’re worried about it being awkward and weird when you’re trying to make friends, then don’t worry — it will be. But everyone is in the same strange place as you, so it’s not a big deal. Talk to people; don’t worry if it feels weird or forced because at some point someone is going to appear that you click with, and it’s going to be great. So don’t sweat it, and don’t fake liking something like “Gossip Girl” just to form a connection if in reality you would rather eat an entire bowl of dry ramen noodles than suffer through another 45 minutes of that drivel.
Also, you don’t have to like coffee but if looking older is important to you, for God’s sake don’t order a venti java-chip frappuccino at Starbucks with extra whip. You might as well wear a T-shirt that says “I LIVE IN THE DORMS AND I AM 18 YEARS OLD.”
Perhaps try something novel, such as real coffee or tea. And if that is too scary, Starbucks offers dessert-disguised-as-coffee options that contain no coffee whatsoever, but come in a normal cup. Don’t worry, just tell everyone that chocolate-vanilla-caramel-upside-down-macchiato is black coffee. Your secret is safe.
Even if you don’t think so, at some point you will get sick of all the food in the Union, especially Chik-fil-a. Even though it’s hard, try to make time for an apple or something with a vegetable in it. Preferably not waffle fries. Your body (and thighs) will thank you for it.
Furthermore, even if you have the roommate from hell, you will live. It may not seem like it, but every day that passes where you don’t strangle said roommate with one of his or her own disgusting unwashed gym socks (that have been lying in the middle of the dorm so long that they are starting to become sentient) is another day where you will never have to live with them ever again. Sometimes the high road is hard, but ultimately there are benefits to avoiding stooping to passive-aggressive notes or all out fighting. Not only will you develop patience (a worthy endeavor), but you will avoid jail time for murder. Both of these are good outcomes.
Ultimately, your freshman year is what you make of it. I could babble on and on about stupid tips or whatever, but I think these suffice. And when things get really bad, pick up the phone and call a family member, be it your mom or dad or whatever. Sometimes it’s nice to rant, and sometimes that’s all you really need.
