First-Year Reflections: Advice For Every Incoming College Student
- skessler81
- Aug 27
- 3 min read
As an incoming college freshman, I am mentally preparing for the upcoming school year. There’s a difference between hearing college advice and understanding how it applies to you.
I know the basics: be respectful to my peers, make new friends, attend my classes.
But having this information doesn’t make me ready.
Understanding something in theory is different from actually living it.
This is what makes GapWell’s new social media series -- “First-Year Reflections” --so reassuring.
It’s not just college advice - it's advice from students who were in my exact shoes just a year ago.
I was lucky enough to get a preview of some upcoming videos.
Your Roommate Experience Starts With a Conversation
Honestly, it’s not school work I am worried about; it’s the roommate part.
Living with someone new is one of the biggest adjustments I will make during my first year. My roommate and I are bringing two different routines, habits, expectations, and personalities into one shared space.
One piece of advice that really stood out to me in one of the “First-Year Reflection” videos was the idea of having a conversation with your roommate during the first few days of living together. Talk about your expectations, discuss things like cleanliness, schedules, guests, and living routines.
Seems simple, right? But how many students actually do this?
I think this advice is especially important for students who do not naturally like confrontation or asking for help. It can be tempting to ignore conversations like these, because bringing it up feels awkward. But, as I now know, communication is much easier than dealing with frustration that builds up.
Finding Your People Can Take Time
Another part of the transition I have been thinking about is finding the people who will make campus feel like home.
At first I was nervous about not finding my people. There is a lot of pressure to arrive at college and immediately start making friends. But after watching this GapWell video about making friends, I understand that finding your community often takes time.
One of the most reassuring pieces of advice that I am taking with me, is to put myself in situations where meeting people can happen naturally. When I move into college, I will spend time in a community space and bring something to share with the people around me.
I also liked the suggestion of joining clubs that genuinely interest me— one connected to an educational interest and another that is simply fun. Personally, I like the idea of having a mix of both.
From More Nervous Than Excited to More Excited Than Nervous
Before I explored resources like the “First-Year Reflection” social media series, GapWell Guide, and College Crash Course, I would honestly say I was more nervous than excited about starting college. Not any more.
There are so many unknowns, and so many things that could potentially go wrong. But knowing that GapWell's student contributors have successfully navigated these same challenges has helped me to shift my perspective.
Sometimes asking another person for help is exactly what allows a situation to improve. It makes college feel less like a giant unknown. Knowing that there are people and resources available, can make unfamiliar situations feel less intimidating.
I now feel more excited than nervous knowing that older students have also experienced similar worries, challenges, and adjustments. I don’t have to figure it out completely by myself.
For incoming students who are nervous about asking for help, GapWell has the resources!
The GapWell Guide and College Crash Course make such a difference. They give practical guidance while students navigate their first year. First-Year Reflections adds something equally valuable: honest perspectives from students who have recently gone through freshman year themselves.
My biggest takeaway is simple: being independent does not mean doing everything alone.
I will not have everything figured out when I arrive on campus, and I am beginning to realize that I do not need to. College will undoubtedly come with unexpected challenges, but I can communicate, stay open to new experiences, use GapWell for guidance, and know when it is okay to ask for help.
--
Follow @GapWell on Instagram to see more videos throughout the school year.
Learn more about the GapWell Guide and College Crash Course for more college readiness tips .
Comments