Hey, friends! I can’t believe that my first year of college is over. This has truly been one of the most difficult years of my life. I experienced some of my lowest lows and highest highs. From the *hours* spent on FaceTime with my family every day, and tears over chemistry; to meeting friends that were answered prayers. Oh, and let’s not forget winning the College Football National Championship (go dawgs baby). It’s definitely been a whirlwind of a year.
I remember, thinking I was so prepared for anything college would throw at me. I had a binder, several spreadsheets, watched countless YouTube videos, and followed every pertinent Instagram account. But nothing could have prepared me for the resounding loneliness of my first semester being in Athens, or the horrors of chemistry coming to haunt me again, or the doubts of purpose in all of this.
But in this season, I learned that God is faithful and that He is good even if I can’t see it. I became totally reliant on Him as the source of my joy, and in that I found peace. And eventually, in His crazy perfect timing, He made Athens feel like home.
I say all of this because college is what you make it (it’s cliche but true) and freshman year is one of the craziests trips of your life. So, I reached out to some of my friends that go to different colleges, out-of-state and in-state and asked them to help me with this post. No two college experiences are the same and I wanted to share that with you. Maybe this will bring back some memories of your freshman year, or perhaps you’re getting ready to start your freshman year yourself and you need some advice. Regardless, I hope you enjoy it!
What was the hardest part about freshman year?
As I’ve said before, freshman year of college is a lot. You get thrown into a world filled with academics, so many different people, so much to get involved in, Greek life, and more. It’s hard to balance all of that and still remember to sleep, take care of yourself, “adult,” and call your parents.
For me, the hardest part of freshman year was finding community. I grew up with pretty much the same friend group from elementary school through high school with a few additions here and there. I became so comfortable in my community that I forgot how much effort it took to form lasting relationships when you aren’t in the same classes or extracurriculars. And it’s not even just that. Sometimes you find yourself investing more into relationships than you get out of them so it was an adjustment. You never want to seem pushy or weird but trust me, everyone is trying to build community. Being out-of-state and not rushing made it even harder on me though–I truly came into this not knowing anyone. I remember there were so many times during my first semester where I became dejected and doubted why I was even at UGA because I lacked a sense of community, especially seeing everyone so happy with “their people.”
“Dealing with feeling of being overwhelmed because there are so many new people and opportunities that are so exciting but it can be a lot.”
A Student at the University of Georgia
“The hardest thing about freshman year was the adjustment. [In] high school, grades were pretty much handed to you on a platter but in college you actually have to work for them. I felt like in high school I was so busy with extracurriculars but my first year I didn’t really have a lot going on so I slacked when it came to studying and stuff like that. I was lazy.”
A Student at the University of Florida
“The transition from high school was probably the hardest, learning how to adapt and learning that college classes are so much harder. My first semester I had a 2.8 GPA, thought it was going to be easy but it indeed wasn’t. In the spring I was so determined to just work harder and do better. I did just that, I finished on the Dean’s List and my cumulative GPA is now a 3.3. You can do anything you put your mind to. The second you start to say you can’t is the second you can’t. So once I changed my mindset and adjusted my expectations I started doing exponentially better.”
A Student From the University of Alabama at Birmingham
“Learning to be independent from my family and starting over making friends.”
A Student From Florida State University
“Chemistry, navigating sorority, and making friends.”
A Student at the University of Georgia
“The fear of not finding my people and the fear that I would feel trapped being so far from home.”
A Student at the University of Georgia
“Adjusting to the rigorous academics was very tough. not going to lie, I thought I would walk out of freshman year with a 4.0, but I actually thought I was going to lose my scholarship nearing the end of first semester. Even if you don’t attend a “top university,” the change in academic course work from high school to college is a big jump.”
A Student at the University of Georgia
What was the best part about your freshman year of college?
So yeah, freshman year of college was tough, but there’s definitely a ton to be grateful for. I think if I had to pick, it would be the community I made during freshman year that made Athens feel like home. I’m going to miss all of the spontaneous adventures and study parties that happened all because you live in the same building as your besties.
I would also say the growth in my relationship with God was really awesome this year too. I built a relationship with Him for myself and doing so helped me grow as an individual and have so much peace, regardless of my circumstances.
“All the awesome people I met! Everyone is so different and unique and it’s really just awe-inspiring. I think that by seeing how much passion and drive others have, it makes you even more excited to explore who you are as a person.”
A Student at the University of Georgia
“The best part about freshman year was that sense of being more independent. I was able to go to whatever party I wanted and hung out with whoever I wanted, without having to ask my parents. I liked that I could make my own schedule as to what I wanted to do and when I wanted to do it.”
A Student at the University of Florida
“The best part was definitely all the people I met!! I have met so many amazing people and have gotten to do so many great things. I danced on the football field and went to study groups that weren’t boring, I even found a job that I love through some connections. I look forward to continuing to make memories.”
A Student at the University of Alabama at Birmingham
“All of the new people I met through my dorm, clubs, and classes.”
A Student at Florida State University
“Being independent and meeting new friends!”
A Student at the University of Georgia
“FINDING MY PEOPLE! God so abundantly provided me with the people I needed, exactly when I needed them!”
A Student at the University of Georgia
“BRUMBY HALL! ( where I met my besties) but a more generalized answer I guess would be dorm life. The community showers aren’t bad and I loved living a knock away from my friends.”
A Student at the University of Georgia
What is the greatest thing you learned during your freshman year of college?
Where do I even begin? I learned A LOT this year. It was such a year of growth and gratitude. I think I described it as a metamorphosis to my roommate. It’s like we all came in as baby caterpillars, unsure of where we belonged in the world and were transformed into a more authentic version of ourselves. The version of us we always wanted to be.
If I learned anything this year, it’s that God is so, so good. Even when I can’t see Him moving, He is. I learned that He cares for us so deeply– even when it comes to friendships and grades. I learned that I am nothing without Him and that as long as He is the center of my life, I have joy.
“The greatest thing that I learned from college freshman year was something a friend told me. She said that there is really no point in trying to achieve balance in your life because ultimately you will pour more into what you prioritize/value more.”
A Student at the University of Georgia
“I slowly started to learn that everything will turn out all right. That college boys SUCK and just want to play games. I learned to be okay with being alone sometimes and having alone time. I still have much to learn but freshman year was a big adjustment and I’m looking forward to sophomore year.”
A Student at the University of Florida
“Distance doesn’t define a friendship. Going to a different college as someone doesn’t mean your friendship will weaken.”
A Student at Florida State University
“Time management, how to grow individually without my parents’ influence, CHRIST MATTERS MOST.”
A Student at the University of Georgia
“I learned to not care what other people think. Everyone is worried about their own lives, grades, friends, relationships, etc and they don’t have time to care about what I’m doing. I also learned to be bold in my faith and share it with those who might not be so familiar.”
A Student at the University of Georgia
“(1) You can have different types of friends. that’s a very generalized answer, but I feel like college is about figuring out who you enjoy spending time with and living with 30 random girls on a hall is a good way to figure that out. I guess what I’m getting at is that you can hang out with all types of people and there is no need to limit yourself on who you should hang out with. (2) Learning to balance work and a social life is hard. No, I’m not talking about trying to figure out a time to go hang out with sweaty frat boys at a Thursday night social. I’m talking about trying to not get burnt out with school work and finding time to put down the work and hang with friends is tough. By the end, I think I started to figure it out, but that was because I would do my homework with friends LOL.”
A Student at the University of Georgia
What tips/advice do you have for rising college freshmen?
I also remember people telling me that since I took so many AP courses in high school that college would be a breeze. That was the biggest lie I’ve ever heard! Being in STEM is no joke, and chemistry is the bane of my existence. So, make a (practical) study schedule to hold yourself accountable regardless of your major. Study with friends that also have a lot to get done so you hold each other accountable too. Go to office hours, don’t assume you can do it alone. Get a study group. Set yourself up for success, friends.
But also, don’t be afraid to have fun and do that spontaneous thing. So what if someone sees you playing Just Dance at the top of a parking deck with your friends? Or scream-singing on a car ride with the windows down? Or having a snowball fight? It can be so freeing to be your most authentic you without worrying what other people think.
Find your community. Do what you’re passionate about. Get involved in clubs that bring you joy and compliment your identity. Or, stay in the communal freshman dorm. I remember being so against this, but I think it was one of my best decisions going into college. With one thousand people in one building, you’re guaranteed to find at least one good friend. And spontaneous dorm adventures are the best.
“To live and let yourself live! College is a new, unique experience and don’t be hard on yourself if you feel you have fallen short. There are going to be challenges you have never faced before and it’s all part of the growth!”
A Student at the University of Georgia
“I would recommend getting involved! Find clubs or activities that you like to do and meet people. Also go to that party! Another fun way to meet people.”
A Student at the University of Florida
“My biggest advice is to have support. You don’t have to be a superhero, having a study buddy or someone to lean on is not a bad thing. Doing it alone is definitely possible but doing it with friends is so much better. Also make a study schedule and STICK TO IT! It might sound dumb, I thought it was but I swear it’s not. Keeping your GPA up is so important and the only way to do that is to make the grades. And most importantly DON’T give up, even when you think you can’t, you can.”
A Student at the University of Alabama at Birmingham
“Join clubs! They are a great way to meet people with similar interests.”
A Student at Florida State University
“Don’t compare your experience to other people, celebrate small successes!”
A Student at the University of Georgia
“Be yourself. College is a time to find true friendships and it is important to base those friendships on the true foundation of who you are, not someone you are pretending to be. And of course, God’s always got your back.”
A Student at the University of Georgia
“SAY YES to anything, within reason of course. I had a great freshman year, but I do kind of regret not saying yes to some things.”
A Student at the University of Georgia
In Conclusion…
Will college really be the “best four years of your life?” Maybe. The thing is, it’s up to you. Your experience is totally what you make it. Are you going to be joyful in the suffering? Are you going to say yes, when it’s more comfortable to say no? Are you going to ask that one person you met in class to meet you at a dining hall? Regardless, you will have the experience you were meant to have and though it doesn’t define you, it will become a piece of the person you will one day be.
So live your life to the fullest, live spontaneously, and live authentically.
If you’re a rising college freshman, I wish you the best of luck and hope you enjoy your time wherever you end up. And if you’re in college, I wish you nothing but the best on your academic journey. And as always, if you ever need anything, feel free to reach out.
P.S. Thank you so much to my friends that helped me out with this post! I literally love y’all and miss you so, so much!
