Things you’ll realize after freshman year

It’s okay to change your major

Most of us can say we had a dream job envisioned in our minds when we were younger. Most of us can also say that dream job has either changed drastically or not at all as we grew to adults. After your first year, and even before you begin your college search, it is completely okay to change your major. If you are unhappy with your major or maybe you realized that you can’t see yourself working within the field, it is okay. If you aren’t enjoying your major now, you won’t enjoy it senior year or the rest of your life, so it's better to switch to something you’ll actually like. College is about growth and if you ask current seniors, you won’t be surprised to find most of them have switched somewhere along the line.

College is not a popularity contest

Joining every club and Greek life may seem ideal. However, do not join for the wrong reasons. College is meant to be fun, but if you spend it forcing yourself to join organizations you’re not really into, you’ll end up being miserable. College is about balancing your social and academic life. Make sure to go to class and find time to study. Stacking your plate with too much to handle, even in the social realm, can cause unwanted stress.

Be realistic and don’t overdo it

Even if you're an overachiever, taking 15+ credits per semester isn’t ideal if you know you can’t handle the course load. Now while everyone hopes of graduating with a 4.0, overloading your course list can lead to stress and heartache. College is more than just having straight A’s, so make sure to spend time with family and friends so you don’t feel overwhelmed.

Take advantage of student perks

Being a college student is often associated with deadlines and stress, so student discounts can offer a silver lining. As an ASU student, you can access free tickets to home sporting events, half price tickets for shows at Gammage Auditorium, free fitness classes at the Sun Devil Fitness Center and countless other discounts. It’s a great way to connect with other Sun Devils and experience events that would otherwise cost hundreds of dollars. Apart from ASU, many companies offer discounts on food, clothing or tickets for college students. It never hurts to ask whether a business has an offer for students who present their ID.

- By Quianna Tyler, Human Resourcing for Business, BA '20