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Starting college can be a very nerve wracking experience. Students face a new environment, new people, and increased academic challenges, in addition to losing the security of living at home. On top of that, there are just so many unknowns. That’s why it is not surprising that freshmen tend to make five big mistakes. The good news is that they are avoidable.

The first mistake that I’ve seen many freshmen make is to show up for orientation dressed to impress. They arrive in dressy slacks and button down shirts or skirts and high heels. Don’t misunderstand; there’s nothing wrong with having style, or dressing to impress, but college campus tend to be big. Students often have to do a lot of walking, sometimes in inclement weather, on dusty pathways, or through mud. Therefore, unless professional dress is required, why not just dress casually?

Mistake number two is choosing a class solely because a friend is taking it. It is a far better idea to select courses with content of interest to you, courses taught by outstanding professors, and courses required for graduation. It may be comforting to have a friend in class, but it should not be a primary goal.

A third classic freshmen mistake is excessive partying. Yes, it’s okay to have fun in college, but that can’t be a priority. Students who do the crawl of shame to their dorm rooms at 2:00 a.m. every night are not taking advantage of the opportunities college offers. The point, for those who need to be reminded, is to get a good education and become a responsible adult.

Alternatively, there are the freshmen who were born overachievers. They were the folks who participated in, and frequently held office in, virtually every organization their high schools had to offer. Many also participated in sports and worked after school jobs. While it’s great to have ambition, it is important for college students to realize that their workload will be far heavier than it was in high school. Involvement in campus life and activities makes sense, but students who become heavily involved in a few organizations will have a far better experience than those who are marginal participants in a dozen.

The final common freshmen mistake is one that many folks continue throughout college and well as into their careers. It’s procrastinating. Procrastination is the chief enemy of college students. On the other hand, students who do not wait until the last minute to complete their academic assignments or study for exams generally learn more, earn higher grades, and lead far less stressful lives.

If you are about to begin college, avoiding the aforementioned freshman mistakes can make your life, and your progress toward a degree, far easier.

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