-
Step 1
Pick a good roommate. You need someone who with compatible interests and values. You don't have to have the same major or the same personality, but it helps if you see things in a similar way. It helps if you are similar in terms of degree of neatness, seriousness about academics, interest in sports and sleep patterns.
-
Step 2
Make sure that you fit in academically with your classmates. If your SAT score is 1450 and the average SAT is 950 at your college, you will not fit in very well. The reverse is also true. Things work at best when you are somewhat, but not too much, brighter than your classmates. You will be able to do well, but your classmates won't see you as a geek or nerd.
-
Step 3
Make some good friends at college. If your social life is still in your hometown, you will not have much fun at college. Don't sit in your room feeling lonely. Get out, meet new people and have some fun.
-
Step 4
Try new activities. Colleges have scores of clubs and interest groups that are always looking for members. There are student groups related to academic majors, sports, hobbies and social activities. Join a few. You will develop new interests, meet new people and have some fun.
-
Step 5
Take some easy classes. Don't fill your freshman year course schedule with difficult, time-consuming courses. Pick some courses that don't involve thousands of equations and four-hour labs. Since this is a piece of advice that most students comprehend instinctively, you can find easy classes simply by asking around.
-
Step 6
Spread out your courses throughout the day. It appears efficient to take all of your courses back to back on the same days of the week. However, you will actually feel less harried if you have an hour or two break between most of your classes.
-
Step 7
Try to stay away from 8 o'clock courses and late afternoon courses. Both of these are low energy times for both students and professors. It's too easy to blow off courses that are too early in the day or too late in the day.
-
Step 8
Make friends with at least one employee of your college or university. This could be a professor, a coach or someone who works in student activities. If you know that one person at the college cares about you personally, you will be happier and have more fun.
-
Step 9
Oh, and get some sleep. Lack of sleep is at the root of most problems that keep the freshman year from being fun. Don't let it happen to you.
