Busted Halo Freshman Survival Guide 2009
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This fall over 1.5 million students will start their freshman year of college. Some of them will hit the ground running and never look back. For others, their freshman year — especially the first few months — will be more of a challenge. Thirty percent of students will drop out during their first year. If you’re one of the 1.5 million students starting college this fall, our Freshman Survival Guide is designed to help ensure you don’t become part of that 30 percent. Armed with a bit of information, you’ll be in much better shape to handle the difficulties that lie ahead.
Why is starting college so difficult?
- You’re in a new place, away from everything and everyone familiar.
- There’s no one to keep you accountable and true to the person you have always been.
- You’re learning to set your own limits.
These are major changes and it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Keep in mind, though, that others have gone before you and lived to tell the tale. Here’s Busted Halo’s condensed list of 10 tips and tricks — based on actual students’ experiences — to help you avoid the most common pitfalls…
We also encourage people to print out and distribute a condensed, one-page PDF version of the 2009 Freshman Survival Guide here.
- Be generous with your friendship but stingy with your trust. The friends you have back home didn’t get to be your friends overnight. Some of the people you meet in your first few weeks may turn out to be the best friends of your life but every class has its gems and its criminals (I’m not kidding, some of them are actually criminals). Which ones are which will come clear over the next few months. Wait until you get to know them before you loan them your car or share your deepest secrets.
- For the first few weeks… live like a monk. Monks take vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience.
- Chastity: College may be the place where you meet the love of you life but you probably won’t know that in the first week of school, especially on Friday night after a couple of drinks. Take some time to get used to your new surroundings before adding a boyfriend/girlfriend to the mix or hooking up with someone who may turn out to be a jerk. RA & Hall Director, Fordham, Zahrah Ektefaei — Watch out for the campus “player.” Every campus has a guy who is notorious for hitting on the incoming freshmen. This guy shows up to all the freshman events, will say all the right things, but be smart and be safe. I’ve known a number of freshmen who beat themselves up for things they did with that guy (or girl).
- Poverty: Don’t blow all your money your first weekend. Companies love to give new college students credit cards. JUST SAY NO! It’s way too easy to get in over your head.
- Obedience: GO TO CLASS! Seems obvious, it IS why you’re at college but you wouldn’t believe how many freshmen skip their way out of school. Do a little math and figure how much it costs for you to have your butt in that chair per hour. You’ll be less willing to blow one off. Save your absences for the end of the semester when you’ve got mono and three papers due in the same week. Dr. Amir Hussain, Loyola Marymount-Contact your professor when you first have a problem. If you wait until it is too late, then it is too late!
- Help! I’m Drowning! There are lots of helpful people on campus ready to throw you a life preserver — health services, counseling, academic advisors, campus ministry and your RA — to name just a few. The transition to college life can be a rocky one. If you find yourself behaving in ways that are contrary to your values or you feel like you’re in the bottom of an emotional pit and can’t get out — get help!
- Stay Safe — Your Stuff and Your Self. Especially when you’re new on campus, choose caution over courage. Is it brave to walk home alone at 3:00 am through an unfamiliar part of campus? Maybe, but most experienced students would tell you it’s just stupid ALWAYS LOCK: your door, your car, your bike, your locker DON’T LET OUT OF YOUR SIGHT: your cell, your laptop, your iPod, your backpack/purse.
- Be yourself! Don’t forget who you are just because you’re in a new place. You’re still you and it’s gotten you this far! Your values, your likes and dislikes, the things you’re good at haven’t changed, hang onto those things, especially while you’re getting used to this new environment. Charles L. Currie, S.J., of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities suggests, “Once a week, step back and say to yourself “What’s going on? What choices have I made? Have they been good ones or bad ones?”
- Too much of a dangerous thing… beer + you = a very expensive waste of a semester. Underage drinking is a bad idea. Don’t do it. It’s also a really embarrassing way to flunk out or get yourself into stupid trouble of all sorts.
- Too Plugged In. IM, computer games, TV, and your favorite game system can be nice diversions, just don’t let them suck up ALL of your time. Give yourself an “allowance” each day for time spent chatting or surfing and don’t go over it! DON’T stay up all night playing video games or surfing just because you can.
- Your Mother was right. Wash your hands… Say your prayers… Eat real food and drink lots of water… Get some sleep! Dr. Richard Kadison, Mental Health Services, Harvard — It’s a myth that the best students stay up all night studying. It has been proven that it’s the student who gets a good night’s sleep, not the one who studies through the night, who does better academically.
- Get involved… but not too involved. Every club and association will be vying for your time. Campus activities are a great way to connect with other students who share your interests but be choosey. Be careful not to over commit yourself. Rabbi Yonah Schiller, Hillel Director, Tulane — Experiment, flex your curiosity, college gives you access to great professors, people you never would’ve been friends with before, and new experiences. That all breeds a sense of search and exploration… and ultimately a sense of meaning.
- Opportunity of a Lifetime. There’s a lot to think about and a lot to be cautious about, but this is also the opportunity of a lifetime. You will probably make some of the best friends of your life, you will probably fall in love, you will probably grow more and learn more and discover more about yourself than you ever thought possible. Protestant campus minister Scott Young — We’re such a career-crazed training program in college now, so a reminder that you’re here to learn how to learn. You get to learn for your entire life and you’ve got a concentrated period of time around a bunch of learners that know how to learn, so learn how to learn.
Because we are deep in the process of creating a MUCH bigger and MUCH more comprehensive version of the Freshman Survival Guide book, we trust you’ll understand why this years online version is somewhat abbreviated from last year.
COMING SOON: Busted Halo’s Freshman Survival Guide will be published in April 2010 by Center Street, Hachette Book Group USA.
As always, we also encourage people to print out and distribute a condensed, one-page PDF version of the 2009 Freshman Survival Guide here.
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Understand that you will change and enbrace it. College begins the journey of finding out who you are as a person and what you want out of life. If there is a Newman Center or strong Catholic community on campus take advantage of it.
Get involved. Don’t be afraid to get involved in some new activities. Nowadays it is easy to just sit in your room surrounded by everything you need – tv, stereo, computer, ipod, etc….but get out and meet new people and try new things. Most campuses will have a whole lot of welcome week events with organizational fairs and everything. If you still are not sure – talk to your RA’s they really are there to help or if there is a Newman Center/Campus Community talk to the Campus Ministry staff as well. They are all there to serve you – so utilize them to the best of your ability!
There is not much that can prepare you for your first few days at college, particularly if you are away from home. I saw many people who lost their minds by having too much freedom (there is a lot of temptation when no one is around to police your actions and where over-doing it is part of the culture). My advice is to get involved with clubs early and not go the easy way out by binge drinking, hooking up, etc. My first few days of school were lonely, but I quickly found someone I could go running with regularly. Also, my second day of school I met the woman who would eventually become my wife (we dated throughout college). Nothing could ever prepare you for that!
The other advice I have is to check out the Greek System. While there is a lot of bad press out there about Greek systems, some are very helpful for networking (and even spiritual development). My advice there though is to wait until the Spring semester if you decide you want to pledge. That way, you will have one semester of college under your belt and be more familiar with the schedule. You can also spend more time investigating the various fraternities or sororities on campus to figure out what is right for you.
In a nutshell, realize that everyone is lonely those first few days and you will be surprised at how quickly it takes to make new friends. And, of course, don’t forget to visit the campus Chapel/Church. There are many positive ways to get involved through campus ministry.
Good luck!
Ladies, if you’re going away to school, and living in the dorms for the first time, don’t overpack. Chances are, you’ll be stacked triple in a dorm room that was only meant for two (a lot of large colleges do that to freshmen these days) and you won’t have any extra space. No matter how much you think you’ll NEED 15 pairs of heels and 27 dresses for going “out” on Friday or Saturday nights, don’t bother. You’ll live in jeans, t-shirts and sweats and sneakers and you’ll be so busy with your workload you won’t have time to go out.
As a freshman, I believe it is important to make a list of your best qualities. What is important to you? What are your skills and talents? What kind of friend are you? Getting grounded and centered in your own value and worth is valuable when navigating a sea of new people. I made some questionable choices freshman year and ended up missing a lot of opportunities for other types of friendships because there are so many interesting people out there-meet them! I regret sticking with people that were a bit like high school friends and missed the opportunity to grow and change and attract different relationships that would ultimately be more lifelong rather than based on partying and having a fun time without more lasting substance. Also, be aware of frat parties and overuse of alcohol in general. It is a lot of fun to be out on your own and the freedom can be giddying, but lots of bad things happen with yougn hormones and alcohol combine. Always stay with friends and make sure you all leave together. 1 in 4 women are sexually assaulted and it is most often by people that they know. Alcohol makes otherwise wellmeaning men and women lose inhibitions, judgment and self control and its repercussions are often life long. Pack tons and tons of undewear because it is a pain to do laundry and you really only have to do it when you are out of underwear! Maintaining a healthy cordial relationship with your roommate is great but if your lives get too entwined you can end up literally having no time or opportunity to meet other friends if you are constantly with them. Joining clubs, groups, campus ministry or places where you will meet people with long lasting common interests and values will help you pick your new friends in such a way they will be lifelong and supportive of your Best Version of Yourself. Have an amazing time! Never again will you have the freedom to do whatever you want, whenever you want with whoever you want, without the responsibilities of adulthood. Have fun and follow your heart and check in with your head!
Please note that the editorial staff reserves the right to not post comments it deems to be inappropriate and/or malicious in nature, as well as edit comments for length, clarity and fairness.