Top Challenges College Freshman Face - Help for The Next Step
That was an interesting video take, and you only invested one minute!
We all know everything can't be summed up that quickly, and the challenges freshman college students face can be overwhelming. The key is not letting it all get to you. Let's examine a few of the top challenges for college freshman and guide you through some tips for college freshman that can help you survive. (Parents: share this with your student. Students: don't admit that you really learned something from this, we get it)
PEER PRESSURE
Guess what? You're the new kid on the block again, and the quest to be accepted is stronger than ever. You'll most likely attend parties where drinking and perhaps drug use will be part of the atmosphere. According to the Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility, there are several ways to get the most out of your college years without giving in to peer pressure. The community in college is much larger, so you have more choices.
It's important to find and make connections with people who have the same values as you do. The recreation center is a good place to start, along with social clubs and organizations.
TIME MANAGEMENT
With so much to do, this is probably the most difficult thing for students to master in college. The solution is to prioritize your tasks and start planning out your days right from the beginning of classes. You are the manager of your own time, and you can even choose how you want to manage your days. A planner on your phone or an old school "calendar planner" that you carry with you every day will work. Find what works for you and organize your daily schedule.
HOMESICKNESS
It's a big transition, and it's normal for students to miss family and friends back home. The good news, most of us are just a text or quick call away. Quite a change from when your grandparents went to college. Schedule a time to text or call your friends and family. Some students stay in touch every other day or once a week. The choice is yours.
PERSONAL SAFETY
It's a concern regardless of your gender. According to the Department of Justice, young women in college are at a high risk for sexual violence. Among 18-24 year old college students, women are three times more likely than women in general to experience sexual violence. Ninety percent of campus sexual assalts are committed by someone who knows the victim. We want to prepare you, not scare you. At Mace® Brand, we've put together a dorm room safety kit that includes pepper gel, a stun device, and a personal alarm. We believe there is power in being prepared and empowered.
PRESSURE OF ACADEMICS
Keeping up with your classes is harder than you might think. You have to find the motivation to get up every morning, figure out how to get to your classes on time, and invest time in studying. Of course, study groups are a good option, and so is the buddy system. It's much easier to face the day with a roommate or friend who has a similar schedule. Look for these opportunities, remember --most of the others in your classes are freshman too, why not learn the ropes together?
Another story you would enjoy: Maintaining Situational Awareness and Safety in Public (mace.com)
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