What is the most difficult part about being a full time student in college?

For me, right off the bat, I found it really difficult to adapt to the amount of freedom I had. I went from having a fairly set schedule to classes and work and activities at various hours of the day. (For me, start times ranged from eight am to eleven pm.) And because I'd never had to set my own schedule, I'd often miss a meal here and there because there was always something else to do- be it homework, hanging out with people, or any number of things. I also wouldn't say no to anything. I was so afraid that one no would mean I wouldn't ever be invited to go do something with people again that I always said yes. Want to watch a movie even though I had a test the next day I should study for? Yes. Always yes. So I had to learn to set my own schedule and take a critical look at where I was spending my time and especially learn to say no. Because college is fun and you'll have time on your hands to do whatever it is you really want to do, if you plan.

If you need help with anything, your resident assistant is a good first person to go to. If they can't help you by themselves, they often know where to point you. They really want you to succeed, as do your advisers, and many of your professors. Don't be afraid to ask for help.

Embarking on your journey to be a full time student in college can be very intimidating and certainly distracting with all of the activities that will be available for you to choose from. You are in a new environment, learning about your passions, and cultivating new relationships whether it be with other students, coaches or professors. When you first enter the college environment, I found that it was important that I keep an open mind about the various activities I wanted to be a part of. After choosing those activities, it was essential to ensure that I had the time to commit to them fully in order to get the most out of the experience as well as fulfill the various responsibilities that came along with being a part of these groups.

Given the loose class schedule, it was also important for me to add structure to my life, whether it be blocking out time to exercise, study, grab lunch or spend time with friends. A structure will help you be realistic about what you can and cannot commit to and to making sure you are able to tackle your to-do list.

While being in college can be a very exciting time, it is also important to begin thinking about your career aspirations. Establishing relationships with professors can help you build a strategy for landing an internship, learning new skills and boosting your resume. Go out of your way to speak to alumni, and learn more about the job prospects for the classes you enjoy. Having post-college goals will make the experience that much more motivating and ultimately, rewarding.

Lastly, college is a lot of hard work, but is also important to carve out some time to let loose. Go to a concert, plan get togethers with friends. These four years are important to build lasting relationships with people that will go far beyond college. Make sure to find a group of people who will support you.

If you have any questions or want to chat more, feel free to reach out!

Hi, Seth,

That is a great question and a valuable issue to address prior to beginning your college career. College is an intimidating proposition and I think the primary challenges new students face is twofold. First, your schedule is far less structured. Your ability to manage your time wisely will play a significant role in your success. I recommend developing a routine and having the discipline to stick to it. Use your schedule to block off time for studying. Think intentionally about each day - every moment is an opportunity. Find ways to use your time to enhance some aspect of your life. Whether doing so through studying, volunteering, exercising, or meditating, use your time to make your life better.

Second, what you get out of your college experience lies solely on your shoulders. No one will be there to look over your shoulder to influence your behavior. What you choose to do and not to do is entirely up to. My suggestions to ensure you enjoy yourself are:

• Challenge yourself to have an uncomfortable experience each day. Push yourself outside of your comfort zone. I was a shy person when I started college. Challenging myself to interact with my peers was difficult. A solution to that problem was forcing myself to have some small interaction each day. It could be as simple as smiling at someone I saw routinely in the gym or making small talk with someone in the coffee line each morning. These small, personal interactions made a big difference.
• Surround yourself with good people. You are a reflection of your collective experiences. The people with whom you interact each day will have a profound impact on who you are. Find people who share your values. That may seem like an intimidating proposition but I have one powerful suggestion to help you accomplish that goal: pursue activities/clubs/extracurriculars that interest you. Whether it's joining the investment club or volunteering giving campus tours, if you join organizations that are involved in things you enjoy, that organization will naturally attract other people with similar interests. Interact with them - I think you will find doing so will help you make lifelong friends.
• Pursue a major that will enable you to find meaningful employment in different career areas in which you are interested. Thinking that you know what you want to do for the rest of your life as an 18 year old is probably a little unrealistic. I've been in the workforce for five years and still don't know what I want to do long term. Choose a major that interests you but also one that will enable you to be flexible in your career choice. I linked a career guide below. It is long but have the discipline to read the entire thing. Read one section a day and you'll be finished in no time.

I hope this answer helps. Don't hesitate to reach out if you need anything. Good luck!