12 Words of Advice for a College Freshman

Here’s some advice for an incoming college freshman – from an old guy.

I love the energy they bring to our church each Fall. It’s one of my favorite aspects of pastoring in a college town. We boldly embrace our college crowd.

Dismiss them if you want, but I have some words of experience I think might help you as you begin this season of your life. Some of these I learned on my own. Others I learned sending my own kids to college.

12 words of advice for the the college freshman –

Have fun!

You may not have expected that from a pastor, but I really want you to have a great time. These are exciting days. Don’t wish them away too quickly – enjoy them as much as you can. I worked full-time through college. You may have to work as well, but as much as you can – just be a college student. All the “work” will come someday and it doesn’t seem to stop – until it does.

Explore the city around the college.

Whether you’re in a large city or a small one – get outside the university setting. If you don’t, someday you’ll look back and wish you had. My son went to school in Chicago. He enjoyed the city some, but looking back, he’s spent his adult life exploring parts of the city he wish he’d taken time to while in school.

Don’t forget your foundation.

Explore. Be yourself. But likely there were things you learned from your childhood which are worth remembering. Don’t allow the “current thoughts” of the modern world to cause you to lose your moral basis for life, your integrity, your sense of direction. Keep the good that was placed in your before you arrived at school.

And if college is an escape from those days – for whatever reason – build upon that too. Much of the good I focused on doing with my life was a reaction to some painful days I had growing up – mostly without a father in the home.

Keep your faith personal. Don’t simply live on what your parents believed or what your church taught you. Ask questions. Dig deeper. Own what you believe.

Decide how you want to finish now.

And maybe the better goal is to decide who you want to be when you finish. Keep an end vision always in front of you. It will direct your steps – and help you on days where the path is less clear.

Don’t let one bad grade, one bad relationship, or one bad semester convince you that your future is ruined. You will make mistakes. Learn from them. Adjust. Keep moving.

Remember family who loves you.

And call every now and then. I know this is different with boys and girls – and with some college students more than others – but I also know as a dad (and for moms) – it’s often a very difficult time for parents – especially the first year.

Choose your friends wisely.

The people closest to you will shape you more than you realize. You’ll find yourself liking what they like, saying what they say, going where they go. And you’ll be much more aligned with them than you realize. So, choose wisely who you want to be as a result of their influence.

Meet people who are different from you.

This is one of the best opportunities in life to learn from people who didn’t grow up in the same environments and cultures you did. Listen to their stories. Ask good questions. College should stretch your thinking without requiring you to abandon your convictions.

Get to know a professor or two.

Be careful of the influence here too, but – not just for the grade – learn from people who know more than you do. Those relationships may become some of the most valuable parts of your college experience. And most professors got into their profession because they enjoy investing in the next generation.

Try some things you’re not good at.

This is your time to grow – and fail. Join something you’d normally not think you’d enjoy. Take a class just because it interests you. Learn a new skill. Some of the best discoveries in life happen outside the plan.

Take care of yourself personally.

Sleep occasionally. Eat something besides pizza. Exercise. Your body and your mind are more connected than you’ll realize until one of them isn’t doing well.

Also, learn to manage money now. You don’t need much to start forming good habits. The habits will matter long after the amount does.

Find a church – and commit to it.

Not because someone back home expects you to, but because you need people who know your name, notice when you’re missing, encourage you, and remind you that life is bigger than college. Don’t just attend – serve somewhere. College can easily become four years centered around you — your classes, your schedule, your future. Regularly do something that requires you to think about someone else.