Welcome to college! You have reaped the rewards of all your suffering and hard work during high school and have landed a place in the best public university system in the country. The next four years are going to be where you will make treasured memories, learn who you are and make lifelong friends as you find your place in the world. But to make sure this adventure of a lifetime is everything it’s cracked up to be, here’s some advice from a seasoned veteran to a fresh-faced newbie like you.
- Plan, plan, plan
It’s easier said than done but it’s absolutely imperative to making sure that you can enjoy the highs and the lows of being a college student. Being a student in our day and age means that you have to plan out your next steps to the T to make sure that you are going in the right direction by the time graduation rolls around. These four years fly by, so whether it’s visiting the Career Center to clean up your resume or creating a four-year plan for your classes, planning is essential to making sure that your college experience is a relatively stress-free one.
That being said, planning should also apply to the fun stuff. It’s easy to let problems like life after college and your classes get you down, and if you aren’t careful, these years could pass you by. Make time to grab tacos with your friends, take a trip to the beach and if you weren’t planning to already, go to a party! Anticipate the good, the bad, the annoying and the exciting and you’ll look back on every memory of your time at college with a smile on your face.
- Talk
Talk to your roommates, talk to your professors, talk to your classmates, talk to the maintenance staff, talk to everyone. Everyone at the University of California, Riverside (UCR) has their own unique story and there’s so much to learn simply by engaging in conversation with them. College is about broadening your perspectives and learning more about the world you will be entering as a young adult.
The people around you can teach you about yourself and help you figure out what kind of person you want to become. They introduce you to new ideas, values and ways of thinking that would have never been a part of your life until you came here. By putting yourself out there and choosing to interact with all the people that make this school great, you can learn what matters to you and understand who you want to be.
- Say “yes” to everything
When I was in high school my hobbies consisted of doomscrolling and occasionally baking brownies. In the time that I have come to college, I have started watching anime, learned to crochet, joined the school newspaper and realized I could squat around 40 pounds. All of this happened because I decided to take the plunge and try new things. You have a fresh slate here! Don’t be afraid to get out there and explore different hobbies or try new things. If someone asks you to come with them for a sunrise hike, say “yes!” If you get the chance to try salsa dancing for the first time, go for it. Having lots of hobbies allows you to practice self care, and trying new things allows for plenty of fond memories to look back on.
- Be kind
Be kind to everyone, but especially yourself. College can take a toll on you and it’s easy to get bogged down by all the hurdles life throws your way and the challenges that come with being a student in 2025. Whether it’s classes, finances, family or even just a bad day, we’re all human and we all have our own unique struggles. Don’t be too hard on yourself and make sure you lean on those around you for support. Remember no matter how bad it gets there is always someone who is willing to go through it with you.
So that’s it. Four pieces of advice from one dusty upperclassman to a bright, young freshman like you. College is meant to be a time of exploration and discovery. What that means is entirely up to you, so be sure you stay safe, plan it out and make time for yourself.
