When I started college this year in the fall of 2025, I was an online student at UW-Green Bay. Starting off online was difficult, as I didn’t have much of a community or college experience. Once second semester hit and I transferred to UW-Madison, I realized that mostly everyone around me knew their exact plan for the rest of college and their postgrad careers. Some people already had their majors picked out that they knew they would follow through with for all four years, and others already had internships lined up for a few summers. Although this was a majority of people, I also discovered that many students were still figuring it out, just like me.
I believe the best thing you can possibly do as a freshman is keep an open mind. I came into college with very mixed feelings about my major, which was worrisome, but I knew that taking classes, attending career fairs, talking with professionals, and leaning on friends and classmates would really help me make important decisions. Don’t be afraid to explore new ideas or try out ways to connect with others, especially if you are a transfer student like I was.
Another piece of advice is to start networking as soon as possible. I made a Linkedin account very early on in high school, and was able to build many connections throughout my four years in high school, which then led me to do the same thing in college. If you really connect with a professor or TA, connect with them on LinkedIn and stay in touch. You never know what opportunities may present themselves in the future. These conversations and connections provide very valuable advice that will last a lifetime.
Finally, do not hesitate to join in on community building opportunities like volunteering, campus jobs, student organizations, and clubs. Even if a position you join or come across isn’t directly related to your major or career goals, it could possibly lead you to a different direction that could be more your style.
Ultimately, freshman year isn’t about having everything figured out. What is most important is learning about yourself and discovering new things while you navigate a completely new environment.
