his is your moment. Freshman year of college -- a breath of fresh air. A new chapter. A time to let go of the past and look into the future. First things first -- together, for a minute -- let go of everything you are second guessing. Breathe in and breathe out. Great. You’re probably wondering what your first party is going to be like or going back and forth about double majoring or falling in the abyss of ‘undecided.” Everything is going to be OK, and if it’s not, that’s what freshmen year is all about!
P.S. it’s totally okay to go the undecided route. Take the first semester to channel your inner creativity with an art history course, followed by a chemistry lecture, topped off with British literature and an introduction to psychology or computer science. All while you check off some general education requirements.
In many ways, freshman year of college is as corny as you make it. Own your discomfort and accept that the unknown is scary. The senior you think knows what's going on is likely only crossing paths with you because they put off taking English composition until their final year. So who’s really winning? Short answer: no one. Perhaps your tenured economics professor is winning. Don’t know what tenured means? Great -- then this article is for you!
If you’re currently a freshman -- or about to be -- treat yourself to some lighthearted humor. We’ve curated a list of memes that relate to the cliched film depictions of what this time in your life should look like.
I don’t need to study
A 70% average on most assignments is not horrible, but it isn't great either. This meme is comforting, because a 70% isn’t bad for someone who doesn’t know what’s going on. The problem arises when this 70% average becomes constant across all your classes. While freshman year is a time of exploration, you can’t lose sight of your future goals. If graduate school is on the horizon for you, then don’t let freshmen year experiences hurt your chances. Take pride in what you are capable of and look for areas of growth. If your first semester in college didn’t go quite as planned due to a major that wasn’t the right fit, or homesickness, make sure your transcript shows an upward grade point average trend.
Party Culture
This meme is the epitome of ‘everything good in moderation.’ When it comes to party culture in college -- and most other things -- it’s important to ditch comparing yourself to others. At the end of the day it doesn’t matter what your hometown friends' or suite mates night scene looks like. By staying true to yourself, you will start to embody your inner Kris Jenner. Not every party is going to be the time of your life. From the dark and sweaty basement party, to the “where is this house and why have we been walking for so long” party. Regardless of where you end up, remember whatever you think a night out will solve, will still exist the next morning.
Is student debt real?
Now this meme is complex. The depiction of strolling down a long road at night talking to an imaginary figure seems far fetched -- but it isn’t. There’s so much going on your first-year at college that sometimes you need to ditch your friends and leave your room and take a walk around campus alone. Who you decide to vent to is up to you. Just remember that the weight of student debt does exist, and job insecurity is real. What freshmen have the advantage of is putting off spiraling about these things until your junior year or fall semester of senior year at the latest. What freshmen do need to be on top of is their student pay account, FAFSA, and private loan funding.
High school friends versus college friends
During the first week of college, you will talk to so many people, and not know a thing about them other than the fact that they go to your school and live in your residence hall. Leaving your hometown friends behind is scary, and sometimes lonely. Managing expectations of what your social life in college should be like, will alleviate random waves of sadness and loneliness. People are moving at different paces, and your time will come. Be mindful of hanging onto your hometown connections so much that you find yourself spending hours every night on FaceTime. By all means stay in touch, but don’t let fear of putting yourself out there hold you back from finding your home away from home.
The random roommate
Ah, the random roommate. Your freshman year roommate is likely the first person you’ll meet on move-in day. You’ve either been messaging back and forth for the whole summer coordinating color palettes for your room or have not been able to get in touch with them or find them on any social media platforms. If you find yourself experiencing the latter, you may want to panic. Regardless of your situation or roommate pairing, don’t feel pressured to be your roommate’s best friend. There’s benefit in being open and friendly, and even meeting up for lunch a couple times during your first week. Ultimately, you are going to be sharing space with this person, so be honest about your boundaries and expectations. If you want to go down the ‘let’s just co-exist” path, then do that, and don’t look back!
Should I go to office hours?
This meme is not all professors, and it certainly does not depict their everyday moods. We’re human, and no one’s perfect. Nor you, nor your professor, but there’s something that brings out a smile when you notice your professor getting lost in a lecture and speaking so passionately about quantum theory. If you’re lucky enough to witness this as you’re navigating your first-year general education requirements, and you too feel passionately about quantum theory -- go to office hours! Check your syllabus before you send an email to schedule an appointment. Everything you need to know is usually in the heading of your syllabi and checking them beforehand will make you seem more competent. Office hours are for students -- so go -- but make sure you have a reason. If you’re looking for some extra help, or industry expertise, office hours are a great time to foster connections based on common interests.
I hate my RA
The college ice breaker. Stating your name, major, and fun fact truly never fades. Whether it’s your orientation leader, Resident Assistant (RA), or psychology professor asking you to share these probing facts, learn to love it. During your first week, you’ll either be ready to blacklist them or love them. Your college RA is here for you. They really do have your back and are there to provide structure to a first-year experience that is both limitless and daunting. If at your first- floor meeting, they ask you to share out some quick notes about yourself, don’t hate them for it. They are fostering community and trying to build connections on the floor so your freshmen anxieties quickly fade and become a figment of the past. RA’s are also your quick text when you are too scared to ask someone on your floor in fear of judgment. Talking to your RA is the sounding board you need, and if you learn to see them as a student who has walked in your shoes, you’ll be ready to tackle anything your freshman year presents.
Culture shock
No one said college was easy and all fun and games. Or maybe they did, and now you know they were lying. The reality is you’ve made a decision to try something new, and there is so much to be proud of once you land your dream college acceptance. Reality sets in once you make the move away from home -- whether it's across coasts or a 30-minute drive. This meme embodies emotions that come up at different points of the semester. The image on the right could be you the minute your guardian waves their last goodbye. The thing about freshman year is that it’s brand new, and you don’t know your place yet. By managing expectations, those feelings of homesickness will fade once you find your place, group of friends, or area of study. So, get out there and take it day by day!
Hopefully these memes have left you feeling a little more comfortable -- in a time where you think you are all alone, with nowhere to turn. You’re now the college freshmen but remember you’re one of thousands and thousands of humans embarking on the same journey.
