I’ve always found those horror stories and pieces of advice family offers about college to be, usually, far from the advice that I actually wanted. Instead of focusing on these taller tales, I focused more on what would've actually helped me.
Mistakes and stories are bound to happen. Still, as cliché as it sounds, we need to have our own experiences to find out who we are and what we want to become. However, some of those experiences may be a little more avoidable than others.
Now, taking this redirection, here are the ways I would have optimized my freshman year.
To begin, let’s get the looming problem of academics out of the way. Skipping that 8 a.m. or that easy quiz grade is tempting, but, seriously, no one is lying when they say that all of this adds up. No one has fun when they know they have to go home by 11 p.m. on a Friday, so they have time to submit that assignment by 11:59 p.m. that same night.
I also urge everyone to get involved and put themselves out there. Everyone in college, especially that first semester, just wants to make friends and find their people. Involvement is the easiest way, and, in my experience, it’s very hard to see people every week and not get closer to them.
Also, just talk to people. Talk to the person next to you in class, the people that live next to you, or even your professors. You never know where your next friend will come from or where you’ll discover your passions.
Lastly, everyone, no matter their year, should just take a moment to breathe. College is only four years. While in your classes, those four years might feel like forever, but I assure you they aren’t.
Take some time to sit down on Samford Lawn with your friends, go to that basketball game, grab that coffee with your roommate and just have fun. This is a moment in our lives that we get to share with one another. Take advantage of how fulfilling it is to be in the moment.
Be all that you can be and encourage those around you to do the same. Leverage the fact that you made it to the beginning of your life as an adult, and then begin to watch yourself love the life you build.
This article is featured in The Auburn Plainsman's Summer 2026 print edition.
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