A Trip Back in Time

College Students Tell You What They Wished They Knew on Day 1

By Harlan Cohen
Special to The Wall Street Journal

Welcome to the end-of-the-year On Campus column. I had thought about wrapping up the year by giving you a list of tips to take with you to college. But that's so overdone (in fact, I did it last year). So instead, I decided to do something different. Rather than just having college students offer you advice, I asked them to offer themselves advice. And you get to listen in.

Here's how it worked. While visiting college campuses, attending a college conference, and even while waiting in airports, I approached dozens of college students and asked them to imagine the following scenario, "You climb into a time machine and go back to your first day of college. Knowing what you know now, what would you tell yourself to do, or not to do?" What I hoped to capture was not just a generic, off-the-cuff tip or two, but the most personal, insightful, and honest advice that college students and graduates had to offer.

Unexpect the Expected

If Kate Egerman, a freshman at Northwestern University could go back in time and talk to herself she would say, "Kate, don't create any expectations. You might think you know what will happen in college, but you don't." Kate expected her high school boyfriend to transition into her long-distance college boyfriend. They broke up by December. She expected that she could do the same amount of work in college as in high school and guarantee herself an A. She's never worked harder, but getting the A has been elusive at times. She thought her friendships in college would be similar to her high-school friendships. She discovered that building new friendships takes time.

Erin Miner, a sophomore at Endicott College, would tell herself, "As a freshman at a small school, join as many clubs and activities as soon you get there." Getting involved helped her find her place on a campus. Already, she has been a tour guide, president of the campus activities board, and a resident assistant. Spending time in the library is important, but finding a place outside the library is just as important.

A sophomore at Allegheny College, Allison Dorian would tell herself, "Stay true to yourself and don't do what other people want you to do, just because you want to fit in." In an unfamiliar place, it's easy to give in to temptation and peer pressure. From picking a major, to picking friends, to picking a significant other-it's so important to live your life for YOU. Follow your heart and take risks that will make YOU happy, not just your friends.

Ann Povenzano, a junior at University of Pittsburgh would tell herself, "Don't be afraid to do things that interest you just because other people don't think they're cool. This isn't the same as high school." There are enough people in college that will do uncool things, that these things suddenly become "cool."

Senior Lindsay Smith, a senior also at Pitt, would tell herself, "Exercise regularly to avoid the freshman 15, the sophomore 15, the junior 20…" She admits she put on "a few" pounds during her college years. Late-night eating, cafeteria cuisine and stress can do that. But with so many colleges offering state-of-the-art gyms, incredible equipment, organized classes and intramural sports, the freshman 15 can be avoided with a little work. And just thinking about staying healthy might help you avoid more dangerous temptations.

Andrew Turnage, a senior at Missouri Western State College would tell himself, "Talk to people-that's the biggest thing." This includes professors. One professor in particular has changed his life, becoming both his mentor and a friend. Professors want you to approach them. They are accessible.

Challenge Yourself

If Chris Thomas, a doctoral student at the University of North Texas could turn back the clock 10 years, to the beginning of his college career, he would tell himself, "Focus on your weaknesses, not just your strengths." Areas like math and science have never been his best subjects. As an education major, no one forced him to learn them. He wishes he forced himself, but he didn't. Strength in college means confronting personal weakness. It means challenging yourself and finding opportunities to learn.

Northwestern freshman Nicole Matuska would tell herself, "Do not judge people right away." Labels don't hold. The stereotypes that helped you make sense of high school don't fit anymore. She remembers taking one look at her roommate and pegging her as the stereotypical cheerleader. But the roommate turned out to be anything but that. By living with her, Nicole was able to see through the stereotype and get to know someone whom she might have otherwise avoided. If you're open-minded, college has the power to change the way you think about a lot of things.

And now, it's my turn. After writing this column for two years, writing a book about college life, visiting over 150 college campuses, interviewing hundreds of students and living my own college experiences on two different campuses, I have so much to tell myself. I'd grab myself by my shoulders, look into my eyes, and tell myself, "Harlan, expect to have a tough time adjusting. Expect it to take time to find your place on campus. Expect it to take time to find new friends. And yet, be ready to expect the unexpected. Don't worry. Be patient. Forget what everyone else is doing. Focus on what makes you happy. Take risks, expect to fall, get help along the way, work out, and go ahead and ask Keri out (she'll like you in freshman Spanish class, but you'll be too afraid to ask). Be your best. Follow your heart. And don't look back.

"Things might not always turn out the way you planned, but you will learn from every twist and turn. And really, that's why you're here: to learn."