Paulia HughesSophomore
Union, SC
These are some lessons I learned during my Freshman year at SMC. I hope they help you!
1. More than likely there is going to be someone @ your college that you attended high school with if you attend a school closer to home….(Yeah they had the same idea as you). Branch out from the people you knew from high school and try to introduce yourself to a new person every once in a while. Make friends. If you weren’t the person you wanted to be in high school, re-invent yourself. This is your opportunity to be the YOU who you have always wanted to be - maybe not necessarily the popular kid, but someone who is comfortable with him/herself. Most importantly, make friends. You may want someone to accompany you to breakfast/lunch/dinner/Wal-mart/library/clubbing (if that is your thing), etc. Have someone you can call on or talk to if you are upset or lonely and homesick.
2. Be careful with your finances. I know I sound like a parent right now, but now that I look back at all the money I spent getting my nails done, buying clothes, and eating at fast food establishments my freshman year…..I think "WOW, Paulia look at how wasteful you were." Now that our country is in an economic crisis, I see how hard it is for my friends to obtain a summer job and for me to even get suitable hours at my own job
4. In high school, you could say I was the Extracurricular Queen! It seemed like I had a million honor cords during graduation, but college made me realize that if you are involved in at least one extracurricular it is okay, you have more important things to do. I thought to myself “Hey Paulia, college isn’t high school it may not be as easy” (I went to Union County. It isn’t a piece of cake if you get the right teachers) - you need to get your priorities in order: studying then extracurricular & athletic activities. Find your niche - something you are good at - and stick with it, have fun, and remember: school work first. I happen to be a bit of a yearbook geek, so that is what I primarily focused on extracurricular wise my first year of college.
5. College isn’t Fashion Week in NYC; you don’t want to primarily focus on your appearance. Your appearance is important, but waking up every morning caking on make-up and getting your hair brushed or gelled just right aren’t necessary, especially if you have an 8 o'clock class which is so gruesome. (Note to readers: get to your advisor quickly. You do not want an 8 o'clock class especially if you were that person pulling onto your high school campus on two wheels trying to make it before the bell). Buy some nice sweat pants, tee shirts, sneakers/Sperry boating shoes…whatever you consider comfortable walking around in; it is okay not to be runway ready every morning you are heading to class. (You will notice everyone dressing nice and being perfectly groomed the first couple weeks of school, after that BEWARE of pajamas or unruly hair in class!)
6. Sit in the front of your classes and look attentive. Trust me, professors will remember your name or face and will probably be more willing to help you if you are struggling in their course. I dub the front seats the “A+ seats”.
7. College has been the greatest experience of my life. I did not realize that I could learn so much while having so much fun. The friendships you will make will last a lifetime.
3. College is not code for PARTYTIME 24/7. Yur parents didn’t send you here to become Paris Hilton; they want you to get an education. Students party, so go ahead have fun - most students do; just remember that you must plan time to study. There are students on the President’s and Dean’s List who are not nerds; they're just well-balanced. We….ugh... they go out and have fun too - it may not be extreme keg-stand type of fun but those people do have a social life. They do activities with their friends. Try to do homework between classes when it is fresh on your mind and study for tests a few days in advance; this will give you great practice for your exams during the end of the semester.
4. In high school, you could say I was the Extracurricular Queen! It seemed like I had a million honor cords during graduation, but college made me realize that if you are involved in at least one extracurricular it is okay, you have more important things to do. I thought to myself “Hey Paulia, college isn’t high school it may not be as easy” (I went to Union County. It isn’t a piece of cake if you get the right teachers) - you need to get your priorities in order: studying then extracurricular & athletic activities. Find your niche - something you are good at - and stick with it, have fun, and remember: school work first. I happen to be a bit of a yearbook geek, so that is what I primarily focused on extracurricular wise my first year of college.
5. College isn’t Fashion Week in NYC; you don’t want to primarily focus on your appearance. Your appearance is important, but waking up every morning caking on make-up and getting your hair brushed or gelled just right aren’t necessary, especially if you have an 8 o'clock class which is so gruesome. (Note to readers: get to your advisor quickly. You do not want an 8 o'clock class especially if you were that person pulling onto your high school campus on two wheels trying to make it before the bell). Buy some nice sweat pants, tee shirts, sneakers/Sperry boating shoes…whatever you consider comfortable walking around in; it is okay not to be runway ready every morning you are heading to class. (You will notice everyone dressing nice and being perfectly groomed the first couple weeks of school, after that BEWARE of pajamas or unruly hair in class!)
6. Sit in the front of your classes and look attentive. Trust me, professors will remember your name or face and will probably be more willing to help you if you are struggling in their course. I dub the front seats the “A+ seats”.
7. College has been the greatest experience of my life. I did not realize that I could learn so much while having so much fun. The friendships you will make will last a lifetime.
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