02 Apr Tips to Master Your First Week of College from One Student Athlete to Another
Coming to college, I did not know what to expect. Having been a competitive athlete my entire life, knowing that I would still be competing at San Jose State University was my safety net. Being the first one in my family to attend undergraduate college in America, I did not really have anyone to give me advice. I had to learn on my own how to manage everything. Here are a few tips I picked up along the way.
1. Ask your big sister LOTS of questions
Moving to a new city, there are so many questions and places to explore. It’s hard to know the ins and outs. Being on an athletic team I got a big sister. It was exciting, having someone to ask any and every question; where were the good places to eat near campus, how to plan my classes, what to eat in the dining commons, when to do laundry, and even the quickest ways to get around campus. It provided the opportunity to get close to a teammate and get the hang of school quickly.
2. Schedule. Schedule. Schedule.
Even though you have to write everything down doesn’t mean it can’t be fun. I love to head to target and grab some colorful sharpies and a big wall calendar. Decorate it, make it your own, so that when you have to write all your assignments, exams, and projects it does not seem like a chore. Many colleges offer free school planners for students, so make sure to pick yours up!
3. Pack Pack Pack the Favorite Snacks
If you can not plan your classes around lunch time breaks do not wait till you get so hungry that you can not even think. Pack small snacks so that you can munch all day, like nuts, granola bars, or trail mix. This way you can have the energy to make it until you can grab your next meal.
4. Take some ME time
Free time? What is free time? After a few weeks of school, I found myself with lots of free hours during the day not really knowing what to do. I created a list of all the things I wanted to do in high school, but never had the time to such as learn to cook, do yoga, try skateboarding, find new hikes, and so much more. It was exhilarating, but the best part about all of it was that I got to hang out with new friends and teammates. We went to the mall, movies, late night target runs, explored the Bay Area, or stayed in and tried cooking crazy new recipes.
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