What to Expect During Your First Year of College

Are you worried about what college is going to be like?

For most people, their first year of college is the only time that they will ever have lived away from home. This can be daunting, particularly because it means that you have to take on many responsibilities that your parents have always handled. You need to cook for yourself, pay bills, find a place to live, and create your own budget. 

It can be stressful!

But, the truth is that it doesn’t need to be. With good preparation, you can put yourself in a position to account for whatever gets thrown your way. In this article, we will give you a good idea of what to expect during your first year of college so that you can make those preparations!

Money, Money, Money

Perhaps the most important thing to expect from your first year of college is that managing your money may be difficult. You might have a job or an allowance, and you need to work out a plan for allocating your finances appropriately. 

A good idea is to sit down and make yourself a budget. Include things such as:

• Groceries
• Books and stationary
• Rent
• Entertainment
• Transport

It’s always good to factor a surplus into your budget. We can’t always foresee all of our expenses. So, save some extra money on the side so that you aren’t stuck when an unexpected cost arises. This will help you avoid mental unwellness, which is very common for first-year college students. 

Accommodation Is Critical

In your freshman year of college, you will have a lot of different options for housing. You can join a dorm, rent an apartment, or move into a group house. 

But, before you make this decision, you need to take time to think about your priorities. You need to think about balancing your social life with your studies. But there are other factors, too: college housing can be expensive and dorm life isn’t for everyone. 

A good idea is to get in touch with a company like Central Edmonton Rentals to get a sense of all the different options that are available, before choosing the one that’s right for you. 

Independence Is a Joy and a Burden

One of the most important tips for freshman college students to remember is that they really have to take control of their own lives. There are so many things that have always just been taken care of by someone else that you now have to take charge of yourself. 

So, while you can do a lot of things now that you couldn’t do when living at home, you have to respect the fact that your independence comes at the price of a much higher level of responsibility and accountability.

Your First Year of College Should Be Fun!

Starting college can be a scary thing. But, even if you are a bit worried, you should always remember that your first year of college will probably be one of the best times of your life. 

You are going to meet so many new people and do so many new and interesting things. This might get overwhelming at times. But if you keep everything in perspective and remember that you are there to enjoy yourself, you will more than likely have a very positive experience.

If you’ve found this information useful, why not check out some of our other great articles on college life?