We’re halfway there! For seniors, college is just around the corner, but how should you prepare? Where should you live? On-campus? Off-campus? What’s your plan for food? Meal plan? Dining dollars? How do you make friends? Are clubs worth it? These questions along with others were asked to two select college students to put an end to the questions seniors alike are asking themselves daily.
College sophomore Sydney M. attends FSU. She is on the all-girl cheer team and intends on going to PA school! She said, “The biggest tip I could give to incoming freshmen, regardless of the school, is to not get any kind of meal plan. Meal plans are expensive, the food itself isn’t the best, and it’s honestly just a hassle to walk there three times a day on top of classes, trying to make friends, and getting the lay of the land. My advice would be to utilize your dorm floor kitchen, meal plan yourself, or even cheat the system by making friends with someone with an apartment and utilizing their facilities.”
Chase C. is also a college sophomore but attends UF. He is currently on the path to becoming a lawyer and has a passion for track. He said, “A few tips that I would give incoming freshman is to live on campus. Living on campus in a dorm is how I met so many of my friends and it made me feel not so alone on UF’s big campus. Making good connections come with time, but definitely go out any chance you get and join anything that interests you. Joining clubs allows you to meet people with similar interests as you. I was lucky enough to get an apartment-style dorm my freshmen year, so I didn’t get a meal plan, but instead cooked every day.”
While Sydney and Chase have very different interests, career paths, and go to different schools, their advice is similar. Everyone is going to have their own paths and ideas of what their higher education will look like. Some people will thrive at a smaller school, while others at a big school, and for some off campus is more ideal. Paving a path that fits your needs and expectations is the number one priority, not following the crowd or doing what you feel others see as “acceptable”. No matter where you end up or what path you pursue, you will find your home and excel in your future career.
