Dear Freshman me

Spoiler: “Just go to class and you’ll be fine” is a lie.

When I stepped into college for the first time, I was expecting a mix of freedom, fun, and maybe a little education. Everyone kept giving me the same advice: “Manage your time well,” “Make friends,” “Just go to class.”

Honestly? Most of it wasn’t that helpful when things got real.

The truth is, no one—no matter how confident or prepared—really has any idea what they’re doing as a freshman. Not the kid with the color-coded planner. Not the one who joins every club in the first week. Not even the guy who already has a LinkedIn profile and a five-year plan. Your first semester of college is exciting, but it’s also confusing, chaotic, and completely different from anything you’ve experienced before.

And even though I can’t guarantee it will be easier, I can provide you with what I wished somebody told me when I was starting out.

1. You Won’t Have as Much Free Time as You Think

Before college, I looked at my class schedule and thought, “This looks easy—I only have three classes a day.” Compared to the rigid 8-to-3 high school schedule, it felt like I’d have plenty of time to study, socialize, relax, and explore around campus. But in reality, between lectures, assignments, extracurriculars, club meetings, hanging out with friends, and doing basic things like laundry and eating, time vanishes. It’s not about how much time you have—it’s about how you use it. Organize your days. Even a rough daily plan helps. Create easy, doable goals. Without some routine, college time feels endless until suddenly, it’s 2 a.m. and you’ve done nothing but scroll Instagram and eat Maggi.

2. Studying in College Isn’t Like High School

If you think the study techniques that worked in high school will cut it in college, think again. In high school, you could review a few pages the night before and walk into an exam confident. College? Not so much. There’s more content, less structure, and way fewer reminders. Also: professors won’t chase you to submit work. They’ll just fail you.

Find what works for you—whether it’s flashcards, group study or making notes. Whatever it is, start early. And above all, pay attention in class. You’ll absorb more just by listening and participating instead of scrolling on your phone or zoning out.

3. Say Yes to New Experiences… But Know When to Say No

College offers endless opportunities. Open mic night, workshops, committee invites, late-night food runs—it’s easy to want to do everything. But here’s the catch: each time you say yes to something, you’re saying no to something else—like sleep, study time, or peace of mind. Saying yes is always a trade-off.

Say yes to what actually gets you excited, but don’t hesitate to set boundaries or say “no” when it’s necessary. You don’t have to join five clubs, attend every event, or go out every weekend. Prioritise what makes you feel fulfilled, not drained. You’re not missing out on anything.

4. You Need a Budget "It’s only Rs.20" —famous last words of every broke college student.

In college, money doesn’t usually disappear in one big expense. It dies a slow death—one Maggi plate, one coffee, one late-night snack craving at a time and suddenly your bank account is on life support by week two. College spending is sneaky. It's not the big expenses that drain you—it’s the small ones you don’t think twice about. You don’t need to be a finance major or live off instant noodles—just pay attention. Know what you’re spending, set small limits, and give your future broke self a fighting chance.

5. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help

No one has it all figured out. Not by the first semester. Perhaps not even by the eighth. Still, we pretend. We nod along in confusing lectures. We smile while drowning in assignments. We isolate instead of admitting we’re overwhelmed.

It’s okay to ask for help. Go to your professors, seniors, or campus counsellors. They have all been where you are, and nobody should be ashamed of asking for help. Pretending to have it all together only delays progress.

6. Friendships Take Time (and That’s Okay)

There’s that uncomfortable pressure in the first few weeks to find your people—a solid friend group, a ride-or-die squad. But genuine friendships don’t happen overnight. Sometimes, the people you get along with in week one won’t be around by midterms. And that’s totally okay.

Focus on quality, not quantity. Be open to meeting all sorts of people. Accept random invites—but don’t force connections that don’t feel right. The right friends will find you, and they’ll like you for who you are—not for who you’re trying to be.

You’re Not Alone. Your first semester won’t be as you expected it to be. You’ll mess up. You’ll pull all-nighters. You’ll unknowingly waste time and money. You may even get lost. But here’s the good news: you’re not alone. Those around you are fumbling through it just as much as you are. So be kind to yourself.

Laugh through the chaos. Learn from the mistakes.

And maybe—just maybe—keep a backup stash of Maggi for those 2 a.m. existential crises.

Because college isn’t just about grades. It’s about growth. And trust me—you’re doing better than you think.

By - Aakruti