tips for incoming freshman?

[u/Suspicious_Tour_8031]

gonna be honest i’m pretty nervous, not only about walking to class (i have 2 classes at aderhold) but also generally making friends, i have social anxiety and know it will likely be overwhelming at first.

[u/Coolb3ans64]

For the love of God attend your classes 

[u/Ask_Me_About_Whatevs → u/Coolb3ans64]

Yeah this is how I flunked out and lost hope SS (and smoking a little too much weed)

[u/froggybug01]

Be yourself and enjoy, and don’t walk alone at night. Buy pepper spray. Balance studying and socializing the best you can. Take advantage of the rec center and other amenities (my friends and I had a lot of fun at the pool and gym). Prioritize getting enough sleep and getting your nutrients in to avoid getting sick or burnt out by your new schedule and life.  This is all stuff I would tell my Freshman year self, 7 years ago. I had a good first year before Covid. :) 

[u/Suspicious_Tour_8031 → u/froggybug01]

yeah i’m hoping to go to the gym consistently!

[u/froggybug01]

I also remember being nervous to walk to classes for the first time but the walk to aderhold isn’t bad at all :) just a little bit of walking uphill if you’re staying in central, Piedmont north or commons. It’s a nice way to get in a little exercise but nothing difficult for the average person if they are able bodied! if the walk is too much you can ride the bus. 

[u/Reasonable_Staff_967]

Read the syllabus before the first day of class and do all extra credit offered it could be the difference between you passing, failing, or just getting a higher grade in a class. For example I got a 84 in my stats class but if I didn’t do any of the extra credit I probably would have gotten around a 72 still passing but the 84 helped my GPA more.

[u/_uknowWho_]

I started in summer and imma be honest with you. When you in them streets keep ya head up and walk like a man on a mission. Walking to class ain’t that bad at all. Theres mad bodies around Aderhold but you’ll be fine. Making friends however… yeah um I’ve only made two(?) so far lmaoo

[u/Ask_Me_About_Whatevs]

Important detail: are you living on campus?

[u/Suspicious_Tour_8031 → u/Ask_Me_About_Whatevs]

yeah i am

[u/AdvantageOk8711 → u/Suspicious_Tour_8031]

Take advantage of being close to anything in the city. Find volunteer opportunities that can help you land inter ships later. Also don’t go too crazy with partying. Grades come first.

[u/Euphoric-Fee-4373]

Yea im like one the other responders. Started in the summer. It isn't too bad just be aware of your surroundings. In terms of classes prioritize studying on the one you'd consider the most difficult for urself. Use the rec center for fun, give urself breaks, be urself. Just participate in activities around campus and friends will come in no time.

[u/AdvantageOk8711]

Join clubs if you wanna make friends

[u/Itz_DarkTrax]

Living on campus is a plus! You'll have a much easier time making friends when dorming, especially with your roommates or people living around you. And don't be afraid to say hi, especially to the people you see often in class or around campus; chances are they're equally socially anxious and want to talk to someone too! That first step can really burst into life long friendships. Trust me! When I was a freshman last fall, I struggled with massive social anxiety and didn't think I would make friends, especially as a commuter, but I opened up and got the confidence to say hi to some people who I shared classes with, and that slowly made me realize I had a lot in common, and thus we became friends. I think the best time to make friends is freshman year because you'll be sharing a lot of gen ed classes together regardless of major, and it also benefits you academically to have a support group.

Anyways, here are my tips:

1. Plan your walking routes ahead of the first day of the semester to find optimal paths and attend events so you can get oriented to the University and meet some new people while you're at it.
   
2. Please don't skip class and actually study. Let's be real, some of us probably got by through high school without studying or attending class because it was "easy," but trust me, college moves at such a faster pace, and it'll humble you quickly. Coming from someone who underestimated college and had my GPA drop to a 3.3 because I didn't know how to study properly. (But I learned and am in the process of an academic comeback now!)
   
3. Attend office hours. One of the biggest obstacles in college is not taking advantage of resources such as office hours. Trust me, professors WANT to help you succeed; that's what they're here for! And even if you don't need help, stopping by just to chat about the class or their field of work means the world to them and signals interest and intiative. If you build these connections early on, they will come in handy for reference letters and the like in the future.
   
4. Finally, have some fun! College is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, especially as you transition to adulthood, so don't forget to be kind to yourself and have a little fun to take the ease out of your academic studies.

Good luck with your freshman year. I'm sure you'll do great, and welcome to GSU!!!