5 Common College Freshman Mistakes

College definitely requires readjustment, especially as it’s probably the first time you’ve lived away from home and had this level of freedom and independence. Money troubles, personal problems, and the course load itself lead to around 30% of freshmen dropping out before the end of sophomore year, so it’s no wonder you’re hesitant. Just make sure you’re as prepared as possible and try to avoid making these common college freshman mistakes.

Bad study habits

Who isn’t guilty of procrastinating? But it really is important to not leave everything until the last minute otherwise you’ll just get in a panic, which will make everything worse. A planner or calendar app on your phone is just what you need, as well as checking out our tips on how to stick to deadlines so you can finish that biology coursework with days to spare! Another bad habit is skipping classes, which may seem like a great idea at the time to catch up on sleep, but you can easily fall behind, which then causes you to skip more classes because you feel unprepared and before you know it, you’ve not attended class in months.

Not budgeting properly

Many college students underestimate how much college actually costs. Accommodation, food, books, study supplies such as printer ink and paper, as well as transportation are all things you should factor into your spending budget. These expenses all add up and can burn a hole in your pocket, so it’s always recommended to look for good offers. Printer ink for example can be found in specialized webshops such as TonerPartner at good prices. Many colleges offer programs to teach students how to budget properly so consider taking part if one is offered to you. If you have a credit card, it’s never too early to start building up a positive score. Spending what you don’t have because you can just “put it on the credit card” is a dangerous mentality to have and can damage your credit score. Budget as well as possible and try to save money when you can so you don’t end up in the red.

Not asking for help

Whether you’re suffering with the workload, financial woes, or your mental health, there are people on campus to help. Don’t try and go it alone because you’re scared to ask for help – advisors and guidance counselors are there for a reason so take advantage of them. Check your school’s website and make sure to pay attention during freshman week so you know where to find this help if you require it at any point. A problem shared is a problem halved!

Not getting enough sleep

College and partying go together like peanut butter and jelly, so no wonder you’re finding it hard to keep your eyes open during lectures. FOMO can lead to you “needing” to go to every party you’re invited to, but by not getting enough rest for long periods of time, you could find yourself at risk of a lower GPA, mood swings, weight gain, stress, anxiety, and depression. The effects of sleep deprivation are real and you need to be on the watch for them.

You don’t have to miss out entirely, but learn to say “no” once in a while – that game of Beer Pong will survive just fine without you.

Taking on too much

The world is your oyster and you’re so excited to be starting college, but before you start signing up for as many classes as you possibly can, take a step back and really think about whether you can fit them all in and have some time left over for extracurricular activities too. Meet with an academic advisor to find out what the minimum number of credits you need are and start there. You can always add more credits later on once you’ve settled in and have a feel for the workload. If you do find that you have too much on your plate, then remember that dropping a class is better than failing it so make sure to opt out before the deadline passes.