You did it, you graduated from high school and now you’re preparing to head off to college! This is such an exciting time for you, and we’re sure you’ve got feelings of excitement and nervousness, as you’re looking to start your college career. No matter if you’re staying closer to home, or going out of state, this is going to be a life-changing experience. College is the first time you’ll be away from home, on your own (mostly), and will need to get things done for yourself. After all, no one is going to go to class for you! 

Because this is such a big adjustment, many college freshmen become overwhelmed, and make some bad mistakes during their first year. While it’s okay to make mistakes and learn from them, if you go in knowing what to avoid, you’re sure to succeed in your freshman year! Here’s our list of the common college freshmen mistakes, and how you can avoid them.

1. Not Attending Class

Always make sure you’re attending class, not attending is like wasting your money!

As a freshman, you’re most likely taking a full course load, which involves some gen ed classes, as well as some from your major (if you’ve declared one). This means that you’ve got a lot on your plate right now, so it’s important that you show up for all your classes. This is the only way you’ll know what’s going on, plus it’s a great way to meet some new friends while you’re at it. Don’t make the mistake of staying up too late and missing morning classes, or blowing off an afternoon one to catch up on Netflix. 

You are responsible for yourself now as a young adult, and going to class and participating is why you’re at college in the first place, right? Unlike high school, you (or your parents) are paying for every credit you take, so make sure you make them count!

How to avoid this mistake: Make sure you’re organized from the start with a monthly and weekly organizer that comes with room for a to-do list like the Get Organized Message Board. This way you’ll know exactly when your classes are so you can schedule some relaxation time in between them. 

2. Taking on Too Much

It’s only your first year, so make sure you have a course load that you can handle

We get it, there are just so many interesting and amazing classes to take at college! Couple that with all kinds of clubs, sports, and social gatherings to attend, and it’s easy to fill up your plate quickly. However, it’s also important that you don’t go overboard with classes and activities--you’re going to need time to study and relax (not to mention sleep!) as well. If you’re racing from class to group meeting, to club, you’re never going to be able to get into a good rhythm, let alone find time to make new friends. It is exciting when you can finally take that abnormal psych class you’ve always wanted to, or delve into the mysteries of astrophysics, but just make sure you can juggle that and still have time to enjoy yourself.

How to avoid this mistake: We recommend starting with the minimum amount of credits for your major, and seeing how that works out for a semester. From there, you should be able to better judge if you can handle more. As a freshman, you’ll be concentrating on lower level courses and gen ed classes, which should help ease you into your new college lifestyle.

3. Not Asking for Help

This is a huge change in your life, it’s okay to need help adjusting

It’s perfectly normal to need a little help adjusting to class or your new social life.

One of the hardest things adults struggle with is asking for help when we need it. Just because you’re feeling a little overwhelmed doesn’t mean you’re weak or you can’t handle the pressure of school--it just means you’re strong enough and smart enough to ask for help before you fall too far behind. Many schools have academic counselors, tutors, as well as mental health professionals who are there to help you succeed and enjoy your time at school. If you find that you’re having trouble with your course load (or with another issue), reach out to your professor or advisor before you fall too far behind. Remember, they want to see you succeed, learn, and grow while you’re at college, so it’s always a good idea to ask for help if you need it!

How to avoid this mistake: Try to find a support system of friends, classmates, and professors early in your academic career. Each freshman is just as scared as you and wants to make friends just as much as you do, so don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. Once you find a good group of friends and professors you know, it’s a lot easier to ask for help and work through any issues. In the meantime, make sure you’re setting yourself up for success each day with the inspiring Optimist Throw Pillow, and know that everything will truly be okay.

4. Not Balancing Study Time and Social Time

One of the hardest lessons of freshman year in college is finding the right academic/social balance

One of the most exciting parts of going to college is meeting new people and getting the chance to get out on your own. Being responsible for yourself means that there’s no one there to tell you where to go or what to do, it’s a sense of freedom that many freshmen are more than welcome to have. However, the reason you’re at school is to learn and work towards that diploma, which means you’ll need to find a balance between social events and academics. Many freshmen fall behind on their studies because they’d much rather go to parties or other events with their new friends. And while this is definitely one of the best parts of the college experience, you have to know when it’s time to draw the line and hit the books. 

Depending on your major and your course load, you may need to designate more time for studying, meeting with other classmates for projects, or even to complete labs--so it’s important that you assess your specific situation and make adjustments accordingly. The time management skills you hone while in school will serve you well at future jobs, and allow you to make time for work, play, and yourself.

How to avoid this mistake: Keep in mind that academics should always come first, but it’s important to unwind after a long week of class as well. Don’t overload yourself with too many classes and activities, and you’ll find you have time to attend parties and other fun, social gatherings. If you can stick to getting your work done before you plan something with friends, you’ll have no problem finding a balance that works right for you.

5. Procrastinating

Don’t put off till tomorrow what can be done today!

One of the easiest mistakes to make your freshman year in college is to put off assignments until the last minute. While some people seem to struggle with this even after their time at school, you’ll want to try and avoid this entirely by organizing when your classes are, when your activities meet, and when your assignments are due. No one wants to be up all night in the library writing a paper they’ve known about for weeks, so plan ahead and you’ll never need to be in this situation! 

Time management is difficult for freshmen because their prior experience in high school included a very structured day of classes, followed by extra curricular activities. In college, classes and assignments are different--some include term papers that require extensive research, while others are group focused and involve working as a team to get your project done. By consistently staying on top of your assignments (and attending class), you’ll eventually get into a routine, and know what to expect from your professors. Just because you’re on top of assignments doesn’t mean you won’t need to spend time studying for an exam--that requires its own allotment of time! 

How to avoid this mistake: Stay organized and know when your assignments are due. Don’t wait until the last minute to complete complex projects, instead take it bit by bit. If you find yourself still struggling to keep up with the class, consider contacting the professor or seek out your school’s tutoring program. Remember, regardless of what you see in TV and film, pulling all-nighters is not something college students should be doing--it disrupts your sleeping and eating schedule, not to mention there’s no reason for it if you’re on top of your studies! 

Keeping a wireless charger with you like the Ivomax Power Bank is a great way to ensure all your devices are ready to use, no matter where you need to be!

6. Not Sticking to a Budget

Learning how to manage your money is an essential skill when it comes to being an adult

College can be expensive when you have tuition, books for classes, dorm room decor, as well as those times eating away from the dining hall. It’s super easy to spend more than you’re bringing in with your job (if you have one) or the amount of money you started the semester out with, and you start to rely on those easy-to-get student credit cards. Don’t make the mistake of going further into debt while you’re at school! Instead, it’s helpful to sit down and create a budget that outlines how much you’re likely to spend weekly, monthly, or even for each semester. Learning how to properly manage money sooner rather than later is a great life skill, and will keep you out of unnecessary debt!

How to avoid this mistake: Set up a budget that works with your situation. Another helpful way to keep you on top of your money situation is to get an app that lets you know how much you’ve spent, if you’re close to going over, or if you have some extra funds to spend!

While we all make mistakes, it’s important to learn from them and realize it’s all a part of the experience! Try to avoid these major ones, and you’ll be well on your way to having fun, and learning a lot, in your first year at school.