Freshman year is an exciting time that is full of new experiences and challenges. As in any new chapter of life, there are always mistakes to be made and lessons to be learned. As a senior, here are some pieces of advice I wish I had known before I began my first semester.
Familiarize yourself with campus
For incoming freshmen and first-year students, navigating campus can be intimidating. Familiarizing yourself by walking your class route before classes begin can help lessen some of that first-day anxiety.
The university website also has an online interactive map that includes campus and off-campus facilities and bus routes, which makes it easy to find your way around. There is also the TransLoc phone app that tracks the buses in real time.
Go to class
Admittedly, going to class seems obvious, but it might save your final grade. Attendance counts toward your semester average in many classes, and exceeding your allotted absences by just one can lower your final grade by half a letter. Even if you have to drag yourself to class, showing up is the best thing you can do.
Take advantage of campus resources
The university offers an abundance of resources for students that many do not know about. The Center for Student Success and First-Year Experience offers academic support programs. Success coaches will be available to work one-on-one with you and help you navigate your college experience.
Other resources include the Writing Centers if you need assistance on papers or essays, the Speaking Center to help you prepare for public speaking and Student Success Tutoring to prepare you for exams.
Additionally, Student Health Services offer urgent care, routine checkups and preventative care for students. Also available are labs, X-rays and an on-sight pharmacy, so these services are convenient for all of your health-related needs.
The University Counseling Center offers free, professional mental health counseling for all students. These services can be especially helpful if you are feeling overwhelmed by your new environment and routine.
My favorite resource is the library’s multimedia makerspace, the IDEAlab. The IDEAlab makerspace offers free loans for equipment such as cameras and MacBooks and has supplies for most creative or academic projects imaginable.
Study your degree plan
Once you have settled on a major, orient yourself with the degree plan for your major. Degree plans can be found on the university’s website. Knowing which courses are required for your path will allow you to plan which courses you need to take in upcoming semesters. Save yourself the stress of finding out you are missing required classes before graduation and study your degree plan.
Additionally, some majors offer specializations within your degree field, which may be helpful when you hit the job market after graduation.
Advocate for yourself
Advocating for yourself looks and means something different for everyone. Personal advocacy can apply to accessibility needs, emotional support or physical health. If you need accommodations for testing, physical accessibility, or assignments, request them from the Office of Student Disability Services. If you feel confused about your coursework, go to your professor’s office hours and ask for extra help. Freshman year can be a challenging time, and it is important to always prioritize your well-being.
Make a freshman year playlist
If you are sentimental, making a master playlist of all the songs you listen to during freshman year will help you relive the good and bad times in the future. Recently, I have found myself revisiting my freshman year playlist, and it never fails to bring me back to my start at Ole Miss.
Be prepared for Mississippi weather
Mississippi weather is unpredictable, to say the least. You can count on extreme heat and sporadic rain. There have been countless times when I have been caught in a pop-up storm while walking to class and been grateful to have an umbrella in my bag. Invest in a handheld fan, rain jacket, rain boots and umbrella to save yourself from possible weather issues.
It is also a good idea to bring a good winter coat. Mississippi can have harsh cold snaps, like the generational Winter Storm Fern in January 2026. It is best to be prepared for anything.
Keepsakes and mementos
My final piece of advice is to simply enjoy your freshman year. Your first year is filled with memories you will reminisce about for the rest of your life. Make a keepsake box, photo album or scrapbook to make those memories last forever. When you are reflecting on your freshman year as a senior, you will be thankful for everything you held onto.
