The Top 5 Total Freshman Moves: How to Avoid Looking Like a Newbie on Campus

By Amelia Woolard

After what seems like forever, you can finally call yourself a high school graduate looking forward to a bright future at your chosen university. Before you know it, you’re settling into your new dorm, figuring out the best options for when you want to grab a bit to eat, and meeting new people from all walks of life.

You’ve already completed freshman orientation, so you have an idea of what to expect during your first few days. But your guides probably didn’t address one crucial aspect of freshman year: how to avoid looking like a freshman (yes, it’s important!). Don’t worry – uCribs has your back. Here are our top five total freshman moves and tips on how to avoid being “that” girl or guy who can’t seem to leave high school behind.

Total Freshman Move #1: Lanyards and Lettermans

When it comes to your college attire, we have good news and bad news. The good news is that college is a casual place that allows you to have independent expression. Wear what you want with pride – this isn’t high school anymore. The bad news is that some of your choices for clothing and accessorizing totally make you look like a freshman. At the top of the offenders’ list – lanyards worn around the neck, college orientation t-shirts, and your high school’s swag.

Sure, during orientation, the lanyard and t-shirt that is designed with the university emblem is the easiest way to identify other freshmen—but trust us on this one when we say that they make your freshman status abundantly clear to anyone who crosses your path.

When it comes to the high school stuff, do yourself a favor and leave it all at home. Similarly, don’t decorate your dorm with anything obviously high school-related. Pictures of childhood friends are more than welcome and can help you feel comfortable in an unfamiliar place. But pennant banners, letterman jackets, and anything emblazoned with your old mascot? It doesn’t matter how prestigious your high school was, or that you landed a coveted position on the homecoming court all four years in a row – that high school paraphernalia has got to go. Leave it at home and make room for more sophisticated goods that are complimentary to your young adult self. You’ll thank us later.

Total Freshman Move #2: Getting Lost on Campus

You’re heading to class, books in tow, and feeling great about your first day of class. Then it hits you – you have no earthly idea where you’re going. All the buildings look the same, there are no visible names etched into the bricks, and even the flowerbeds are starting to all blur together. Next thing you know, you’ve spent so long trying to retrace your steps that you’ve officially missed roll call.

Learning how to navigate your new college campus is one of the biggest hurdles to overcome as a freshman. This especially applies at large universities, where campuses can easily cover anywhere from 5,000-10,000 acres. Thankfully, this is an easy problem to solve.

First, if your college offers an app with a virtual campus map included, use it. There’s no better way to covertly guide yourself around campus while appearing to peruse your Instagram feed. If your school hasn’t caught up to tech trends just yet, don’t be afraid to ask a fellow student or faculty member for directions. Be clear and confident in your approach, and you may even make a friend in the process! Finally, if you’re the extra-prepared type, consider doing a test run before your first day of classes so that you can troubleshoot any potential issues beforehand. That way, when Monday morning rolls around, you’ll be able to get to class on time and with little to no hassle.

Total Freshman Move #3: Spending Every Weekend at Home

No matter how close you are to your family, or how badly you may miss home, your first few months at school are crucial for establishing friendships, getting accustomed to campus, and ensuring that your college career is off to a great start. College isn’t an easy transition for everyone, but regardless of how you’re handling it, you don’t want to be known as the freshman who got so homesick, they spent every weekend at home with their parents.

A good rule of thumb is to stick it out until the first break from classes. Some schools offer a campus-wide fall break, while others lump this in with the Thanksgiving holiday. If you can’t imagine waiting that long to feel the warm embrace of your family or the comfort of your hometown, try to put off your trip home for at least a few weeks.

And when the going gets tough, keep in mind that most freshmen feel the same way you do. Commiserating over that awkward homesick feeling can be a great way to make friends and grow your support network for when you need it most.

Total Freshman Move #4: Campus Involvement? What’s That?

As a freshman, you may think that going to classes without throwing a tantrum every morning is enough to earn a gold star. Well, this mentality would actually be considered as a huge freshman move, and one you should avoid at all costs. Though it may be intimidating to step even further outside of your comfort zone, college offers plenty of new experiences, and it would be in your best interest to take advantage of as many of them as possible.

We get it, you’re nervous. What if you attend an interest meeting, and you’re the only freshman there? Or you rush a Greek organization, only to get laughed off sorority row? Take a breath. Even the coolest upperclassmen were once awkward freshmen. But at some point, they decided to take a step towards campus involvement and started spending time doing things they love with likeminded people. In addition to developing who you are as a student, you never know what a certain opportunity could bring your way in the long run. That tiny organization of Stephen King fans could encourage you to pursue an English major. The faculty member leading the French film club could one day become your go-to reference for your first few job applications.

Once you’ve decided to pursue an extracurricular activity, be sure to sign up early and often for interest meetings. A lot of opportunities will close after the first few weeks of school. Plus, most class schedules won’t be too intense for the first few weeks, giving you ample time to get settled in with a few new hobbies before you have to hit the books hard. And if you’re even slightly interested in studying abroad, get yourself to those initial meetings pronto to ensure that you don’t miss out on a travel opportunity you wouldn’t have otherwise.

Total Freshman Move #5: Partying So Hard, You’d Think It Was Your Job

Last but certainly not least, it’s time to discuss party habits. As a freshman, you’re probably eager to find out how real-life college parties stack up to their representations in the movies.

Not to sound like a parental figure, but college partying is one of those things that can make or break your college experience. If you have fun while remaining safe, college parties can provide an excellent outlet for socialization, following long weeks of class discussions and ten-page papers. But if you overdo it, you could face serious repercussions concerning your health, grades, and social reputation.

To party safely, keep in mind a few basic rules:

• Stay in a group as often as possible. This is especially important if you’re heading off campus or to a party that could easily have hundreds of names on the guest list.
• Keep your phone charged. The last thing you want is to be in an unsafe situation with a dead phone.
• Keep an eye on your drink. Laced drinks are a scary reality of college partying. It’s better to be safe than sorry, so never leave your drink unattended.
• Stay hydrated. Water helps counteract the drying effects of alcohol on the body (plus, it will help ward off any hangovers before they start). Try to alternate cups of water with alcoholic drinks.

Freshman year is an exciting time for many college students. There are a lot of lessons to be learned, friends to make, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences to be had along the way. Follow these tips to make the most of your first year, and you’ll be well on your way to a rewarding, memorable college experience.

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