“Your talents and abilities will improve over time, but for that, you have to start.” — Martin Luther King Jr.
Starting over can be scary. You’ve spent years focused on getting into college, and now, it’s actually happening—you’re leaving in just a few weeks! When soon-to-be freshmen ask me how they can hit the ground running, I tell them to think of college like a toolbox. From day one, you’re handed a set of tools—resources like career centers, faculty office hours, research opportunities, clubs, and studying abroad, to name just a few. The key is learning how to use these tools to start developing your interests, building your resume, and laying a strong foundation for long-term professional goals. While the transition may feel nerve-wracking, these six tips will help you open that toolbox with confidence and take charge of your college experience like a pro.
1. Be Proactive About Course Registration
We’ve all heard it before: the early bird gets the worm. But when it comes to course registration, this advice couldn’t be more accurate. Coming in as a freshman, it can feel overwhelming navigating the course catalog. Where do you even find it? What am I eligible to take? I’m undecided… what should I do? These are exactly the kinds of questions your advisor is there to help you answer.
Every incoming student will be assigned an advisor, and it’s a good idea to reach out to them early to get their input as you start solidifying your fall class schedule. Think of this schedule as one of the first tools you’ll add to your toolbox. The courses you select can help you explore potential majors, build foundational skills, and even start shaping the story your future resume will tell. Having a strategic list of courses you plan to take (plus one or two backups) will help you be prepared when registration opens and give you the best shot at getting into the classes you’re most excited about.
When browsing the course catalog, it’s a good idea to keep in mind any introductory requirements or courses for your major that you can knock out early. But freshman year is also an excellent time to branch out and try something new—maybe a subject you’ve never had the chance to explore before or something you’re simply curious about. Consider expanding your horizons by registering for a class outside your comfort zone. You might be surprised by what you learn—or how much you enjoy it!
2. Begin with a Strong GPA
When it comes to building your resume, one of the most important tools in your toolbox is your grade point average (GPA). It’s often the first thing employers, internship coordinators, and graduate programs look at when evaluating you as a candidate. Because GPA is cumulative, getting off to a strong start matters more than most students realize. Each semester, it becomes harder to significantly shift your average, so the early terms carry extra weight. This is another reason why it’s so important to choose your classes wisely. Striking the right balance between challenge and manageability will help you build confidence, maintain your academic momentum, and set the tone for everything you want to achieve over the next four years.
3. Build Relationships with Faculty
One of the most rewarding parts of college is the opportunity to develop meaningful relationships with your professors. A great way to start is by scheduling an introductory meeting or stopping by office hours to introduce yourself. By immersing yourself in the coursework and coming prepared with thoughtful questions or topics to discuss, you’re likely to leave a positive impression on your professors—paving the way for valuable opportunities such as research roles and recommendation letters. Getting to know your professors early in the semester gives your relationship time to grow, and you might even gain a mentor along the way.
Although first-semester freshmen generally aren’t quite ready to jump into lab work, another way to build rapport with professors is by showing genuine interest in their research. Expressing curiosity about their work early on may lead to future research opportunities if that’s something you want to pursue. Assisting faculty in the lab or with analytical or critical research can be an extremely rewarding way to deepen your academic relationships over time. Beyond that, if you nurture these relationships thoughtfully, there’s a strong chance your professors will become trusted recommenders for applications—and may even introduce you to others who can provide internships and professional opportunities.
Another effective way to strengthen these connections is by actively participating in class. Faculty want to hear from engaged students—that’s how real dialogue begins. By keeping up with readings and assignments, you’ll be ready to share ideas in class, helping professors get to know you, your interests, and how your mind works.
4. Take Advantage of Extracurricular Opportunities
One of the exciting things about college is the sheer number of clubs and extracurricular opportunities available. While you may have only had a handful of options in high school, as a freshman, there’s almost always a club that aligns with one of your interests—and if not, you can consider starting your own!
During orientation or early in the semester, most campuses host a club fair, so keep an eye out for emails and flyers advertising the date. These events make for excellent opportunities to chat with current members, ask questions, and get a feel for the clubs that interest you. Pro tip: sign up for more clubs than you think you’ll realistically commit to. It’s much easier to scale back later than to join mid-semester and feel like you’re playing catch-up.
Clubs offer a great way to meet other students who share your passions or values. For freshmen especially, this sense of community can make a big difference—helping you form friendships early in the semester and giving you a reason to step out of your dorm and into a new campus space. Regular meetings and events also help you stay engaged and add structure to your weekly routine. As you settle into a new study rhythm, breaking your day into class, study, and extracurricular blocks can make it easier to stay organized and keep up with your work.
In addition to the social aspect, joining clubs is a fun, low-pressure way to explore your academic interests and develop your professional skills. For instance, if you can’t get enough of writing and storytelling, consider joining the campus newspaper or literary magazine to hone your voice and reach a wider audience. Or, if you’re into coding, check out your school’s hackathon team to collaborate on creative projects and build something cool with peers. Clubs like these, which emphasize creativity and exploration just as much as professional development, are a crucial step in building your resume by helping you gain practical experience. And for many students, they’re the first real opportunity to develop industry-related skills to discuss in interviews and leverage when applying for internships. No matter what you’re passionate about, this is the time to take the leap and get involved!
5. Prioritize Your Mental Health
As a freshman, it can feel like you’re being pulled in a dozen different directions between classes, clubs, social activities, studying, and simply finding your way around a new campus. Amidst all this, one of the most important things to remember is to be kind to yourself. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed, especially as you adjust to a new workload. If you find that dropping a club gives you the necessary space to recharge and prioritize your mental health, that’s totally understandable; in fact, it’ll likely benefit you in the long run. Protecting your energy means you’ll have more to give to your classes and relationships—and it can help you avoid early burn-out.
Another effective way to manage stress is by using a daily planner or organizational system (like Google Calendar) to block out your time. You can not only track upcoming classes, meetings, and office hours, but also set aside time for studying, spending time with friends, and practicing self-care. Budgeting your time this way helps you avoid the last-minute panic of realizing an essay you’ve barely started is due tomorrow or that you never carved out time to study for a test. It also helps you balance your academic, social, and personal commitments so you can make the most of your week without feeling stretched too thin.
Maintaining a regular sleep schedule is another excellent way to set your body and mind up for success. According to a 2019 Massachusetts Institute of Technology study, better sleep quality, longer duration, and greater consistency were all linked to stronger academic performance. As a freshman, it may be tempting to stay up into the early hours watching Netflix or chatting with friends, but sticking to a regular wake-up time and aiming for 7-9 hours of sleep each night will help you stay focused and energized throughout the day. While the occasional all-nighter certainly won’t ruin your semester, falling into a habit of late nights and irregular sleep can quickly take a toll on your mental clarity and overall well-being.
6. Keep an Open Mind
One final piece of advice is to stay open to new experiences and to meeting people from very different backgrounds. Ultimately, it’s up to you how you take advantage of the tools the college provides and how you choose to spend your time. Now is the time to challenge yourself to grow, both in your classes and in your relationships with your peers. It’s also an excellent opportunity to learn from different perspectives and begin broadening your own worldview. This could be something as simple as trying a new cuisine in the dining hall with a friend or attending a campus event you wouldn’t normally go to—like a poetry reading or an academic talk in another department. These are the moments when real growth takes place, whether you’re discovering you love broccoli rabe or just scratching the surface of a newfound interest in hydroponics after attending a student-led panel on agricultural engineering.
And remember: don’t be too hard on yourself if you make a mistake in class or say the wrong thing to a friend in need. Practicing open-mindedness—a receptiveness to being wrong and a willingness to learn—will prepare you to make steady progress and overcome academic and personal challenges, from tough coursework and critical feedback to moments of frustration and self-doubt. Although it can feel scary at times, staying curious and open-minded will serve you well as you begin this new chapter.
Conclusion
There’s a lot of change ahead in the next four years, and these are just a few ways to start off on the right foot. By being proactive, staying engaged, practicing self-care, and keeping an open mind, students set themselves up for a successful first year as they come into their own in a new campus environment. It’s a time brimming with possibility, so get ready for the exciting journey ahead and remember your job is to build your resume!
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