How to survive your freshman year at Boulder

Being a freshman in college is overwhelming! It doesn’t matter whether the college you attend is 3000 miles away or 30 minutes from home. To get rid of that homesickness and make the best out of your first few days at CU Boulder, follow these helpful hints. There’s way more to being a baby Buff than you might realize!

Leave your dorm room door open

When you first get into the dorms they can be confusing and lonely. The reason: you’re basically in a hotel with tons of other “guests” who you don’t know, but who you will be living with for the remainder of your freshman year. Leaving the door open and being outgoing by inviting people in to chat or simply asking who someone in the hallway helps you establish a couple connections with other people. They feel the same way you do! So by reaching out, you can feel awkward together.

Make some kind of monthly date with the roommates

Guys and girls alike, your roommate is your new sleepover buddy. Make it easier on both of you! Find one thing you both like and once a month do something together. It helps you feel more comfortable with them and sometimes, despite what you maybe think, actually makes you respect each other a bit more.

Play video games, hike, go shopping, or get dinner at a dining hall or fast food place you both like. It doesn’t have to be big or fancy, but do something.

Have a full schedule and then drop the classes you don’t like

It’s hard to know as a freshman what you want to do. You’ve been in high school for four years learning the same things over and over and suddenly you feel like you’re supposed to know what career you want to have for the rest of your life. So when it comes to classes, pick a variety and pick too many, like 18 credits. After the first two weeks drop one or two classes that you don’t like as much or struggle in. Classes fill up with students fast and it’s hard to switch around or know how you will feel. Stock up ahead of time and you can always drop the couple you end up not liking.

If you struggle, get help quick!

Classes in college are completely unlike high school. You can not study for a test and end up with a B on it, no problem. In college, your GPA will drop faster than your jaw if you don’t study for tests or understand what’s going on in class.

If you’re struggling on anything or do poorly on your first test, don’t get discouraged! Just go to your advisor and get a tutor. Bufftutor was my best friend for general chemistry and I would not have passed without it and the tutor it helped me get. Even if it’s a study buddy, find a way to help you succeed the best, it will make your life so much easier academically.

Join a club or try intramural

Everyone enjoys different things. Maybe you and your roommate and are polar opposites and they don’t want to join a club or play on a team for intramurals with you. Don’t let that keep you from trying something. I missed high school sports so much and I just signed up for intramural sports teams I used to play as well as things I’ve never tried. I met a ton of friends that stuck with me the rest of the year and it gave me fun games and things to do throughout the week.

Try Greek Life

Not everyone will like the Greek world, but there’s no harm in trying it out. Whether you’re a girl or guy, try rushing, you’ll get an unforgettable experience and even if you decide it’s not for you, you meet a ton of people – people you might really like or who have the same feelings about Greek life that you do.

Get outside

Get out and explore. Even if you’re from the area, you may find places or things you never knew were around and you can help others experience all things about where you are. In Boulder there are a million and one places to hike and fun towns for food and shopping. Ride a bike to Pearl Street, hike the famous Flat Irons, or just take a walk by the creek, might as well get to know where your gonna spend the next four years.

Boulder is a beyond beautiful place!

Go to sporting events

Whether you are a sports fan or not, college sporting events can be extremely fun and exciting. At CU Boulder, football and basketball are the events that are the biggest. It’s not all about the actual game, it’s about going out before and hanging out with your friends and meeting new people. It’s the adventure of getting to the game and putting on face paint and stickers and beads. It’s about cheering together and getting excited about one thing that unites everyone at school together. Big schools at CU have fun chants and huge stadiums, it’s fun feeling like you are apart of that. Don’t miss out, especially with the annual CU vs. CSU game at the famous Mile High Stadium!

Don’t be afraid

Freshmen year can be as awesome and memorable as you make it. Try new things, make an effort to meet people, and get out and explore. Boulder has a lot of great food, scenery and people, don’t be the one to miss out on anything! Charge the flat irons with a smile and open mind baby buffs, it’s there for your taking! S’ko Buffs!