Next Steps – Graduation and Beyond: What I Would Tell My Freshman Self
by Matt Miller
If I could speak with my freshman self, rest assured that I would have plenty of advice to give. Namely, don’t waste your time and money trying to find a good Chinese restaurant in Indianapolis… One doesn’t exist. Even more importantly, don’t even think about trying a new barber here. You won’t like the results. Avoid the embarrassing Facebook photos and just wait until you go home to get a haircut.
In all seriousness though, I’ve compiled a list of what I consider to be the ten most important pieces of advice that I could give my freshman self. I should note that they’re not written in any particular order. I consider them all to be equally important.
1. Take advantage of the cultural opportunities at Butler. The “Butler Cultural Requirement” won’t be implemented until after you matriculate, so you won’t be required to attend events like ballets, recitals, or guest lectures. You need to make time and attend some though! You will be more well-rounded as a result.
2. Get to know your professors. The professors here are incredibly kind and supportive. You will come to consider several of them mentors and even friends. Know that your professors are always willing to listen and give advice, regardless of whether you want to discuss academics or not. Having a trusted adult you can confide in will be very important over the next four years.
3. Break out of your shell. Don’t be afraid to try new opportunities, even if they are outside of your comfort zone. Go to social events. Interact with new people. Join organizations. Come back early for Rush Week. You won’t regret any of it.
4. Plan for your plans to change. You’ll change your major several times at Butler, and that’s perfectly okay. In fact, it’s typical. When you realize that it’s time to make a change, don’t try to fight it. It will take time to discover what you want to do in life. Take these opportunities to reassess yourself and see how much you’ve grown as a result of this “detour.”
5. Follow your passions. While is undeniably important to maintain a high GPA and complete your major requirements in a timely manner, don’t let these things completely dictate your class schedule. Take an astronomy course. Consider learning Hebrew. Maybe even try a psychology class. Forget that your GPA might decline slightly and that the classes won’t fulfill any of your major requirements. You chose a liberal arts institution for a reason. Broaden your education.
6. Figure out who you are. It sounds strange, but I mean it. College will be your chance to get away from your family, friends, and community back home and really learn who you are. Discover your interests, beliefs, and goals (not the ones everyone expects you to have). This is an exciting time, so don’t let it freak you out!
7. Establish a routine and stick to it. Time management will be key. As soon as you can, outline a schedule that will allow you to get your work done without pulling all-nighters. Completing the assigned reading is important, but so is sleep!
8. Make time for yourself. College is tough. It will exhaust you physically and mentally. Ensure that you set some time aside to just relax. Watch a movie. Take a walk. It doesn’t matter what you do as long as you step away from the books for a while.
9. Be thankful. You’re going to do well in college, but it won’t be a solo effort. There will be a great number of people who will you help along the way. Make sure they know that their efforts don’t go unnoticed! Take time to tell these people that you care about them and sincerely appreciate their guidance. Please don’t wait until it’s too late.
10. Cherish your time here. I know it sounds cliché, but really take this piece of advice to heart. Savor every moment. Your four years at Butler will be gone before you know it so make the most of your time here. I understand that you don’t particularly enjoy group projects or class discussions. I can also empathize with your concern that you might be randomly assigned to a horrible roommate. However, these moments and events that you dread will actually give rise to some of your fondest memories as an undergraduate. (By the way, your freshman year roommate is awesome. You’ll consider him a great friend for years to come.) Please don’t waste your time hoping for graduation to get here any sooner than it already will. Trust me when I say that when it does come time to graduate, you will wish that you had more time here.