Things that Freshman do that Seniors would NEVER

As a senior at ASU, looking back at my freshman year feels like a lifetime ago. While the original post covered some key practical tips, there's so much more to the freshman-senior dynamic that I've come to understand. Those early days are packed with unique responsibilities and challenges that seniors, already enjoying a flexible schedule and the satisfaction of knowing the ropes, sometimes forget. For freshmen, it’s not just about classes; it’s about navigating a whole new level of independence. Beyond carrying a heavy backpack—both literally and figuratively with all those new expectations—freshmen are suddenly responsible for everything: managing their own time without a parent's oversight, budgeting their money (often for the first time, making those full-price textbooks feel even more painful!), doing their own laundry, and even cooking or finding healthy food options. There's also the immense social responsibility of making new friends, finding study groups, and building a community from scratch. It's exhilarating but can also be incredibly isolating. I remember the sheer effort it took to simply figure out the campus layout or where the best study spots were. Seniors, on the other hand, usually shift their focus. Our responsibilities often revolve around career development—internships, job applications, networking—or preparing for graduate school. Many of us are leaders in student organizations, mentoring younger students, and even taking on research projects. There's a different kind of pressure, but it's often more self-directed and less about basic survival. We've mastered the art of not having 8 AM classes and savoring those slower mornings, a luxury that often comes with seniority and a better understanding of how registration works. That feeling of celebrating the first day of senior year, knowing you've truly earned that flexible schedule, is priceless. Sometimes, as seniors, we tend to forget the initial struggles. We forget the anxiety of the first few weeks, the homesickness, or the overwhelming feeling of choosing a major when you barely know what you want for dinner. We might take for granted the ease with which we navigate campus or find resources. This is where the 'how seniors treat freshmen' comes in. Good seniors, like myself and my friends, often try to be a resource, sharing our hard-won wisdom. It's less about 'treating' them a certain way and more about paying it forward. We offer advice on everything from finding free PDFs for textbooks to the best coffee shops to study in. We encourage them to speak up, ask questions, and not be afraid to try new things. We remember being in their shoes, feeling a bit lost, and wishing someone had told us about Desmos or why 8 AM classes are a trap. Ultimately, the journey from freshman to senior is transformative. It's about shedding those initial naive habits, like thinking you need every single physical textbook, and embracing smarter, more efficient ways of doing things. It's moving from a focus on basic adaptation to one of specialization and future planning, all while hopefully enjoying that well-deserved flexible schedule. My hope is that by sharing these insights, freshmen can avoid some of the pitfalls and seniors can remember to lend a guiding hand.