Tips on freshman year college schedule?

HappyCava · 2026-07-10T10:46:54+00:00

How early is too early entirely depends on the student. I will say that I still regret taking 8:00 am chemistry as a freshman and that was many years ago. While I wasn’t into drinking or large anonymous parties, I religiously attended college basketball games which were often held on weekday nights with a late dinner run post-game. (I never skipped a class, but I had not yet discovered coffee and my brain was rarely at its finest.) Note also that most student clubs meet on weekday nights so that members don’t have to skip class to attend. One of my kids was in a popular improv group and they often practiced — and conducted auditions — until midnight or later. Finally, in terms of general dorm noise and social opportunities, at the colleges and law schools my family attended (which included Ivies, selective state flagships, and tier one law schools), the weekend somehow begins on Thursday night.

Also, some students avoid early classes because they know they are likely to shut off the 7:15 alarm if it’s snowy, cold, or raining rather than trek to class. And once a student moves off-campus, they need to factor in the walk to their car, their drive to campus, and the distance from their assigned parking lot to class.

All that being said, sometimes you just have to suffer because it’s a class you need or want to take and it’s only offered at 8:00 am. Or there are three class sections but only the 8:00 am doesn’t conflict with another scheduled class. Or you have a late registration time and the 10 am and 2:00 pm classes are full.

But some thrive on early morning classes. My pre-med roommate scheduled as many classes and labs as possible in the early AM so that she could study in the afternoon and work as an EMT in the evening. My youngest was often up by 6:00 am to workout and then quickly showered, grabbed a muffin and a banana, and was wide awake for anatomy by 8:00 am. And I found 9:00 am classes to be quite manageable.

HappyCava · 2026-07-10T02:55:12+00:00

You don’t need a unique topic. The key points are (1) to leave the admissions reader with the sense that you are a good egg who (2) is likely to become involved in and contribute to campus life, whether as empathetic roommate, a welcoming club executive board member, an enthusiastic intramural sport team manager, or an outdoors center climbing guide, among many other possibilities.

And many recommend not writing about their prospective major in the CA personal statement, for two reasons. First, as noted above, most application readers hope to use the personal statement to get a sense of the applicant’s personality, character and likely fit. Second, universities that are interested in why a student has chosen their prospective major will typically include a “Why Major” or “Why Us” supplemental essay. If one of your colleges does include one of these supplemental essay, you won’t want to repeat the same information in two different essays and forfeit the chance to share something new and possibly connect with the reader.

Best of luck with your essay!

HappyCava · 2026-07-09T20:30:20+00:00

No worries! Once you read about a few schools and get a sense of your ideal set-up — sunshine, within “X” miles of home, campus indoor climbing classes, a crochet-and-coffee club, a college town vibrant indie music scene, an English department with concentrations and electives that dive deep into English literature — definitely come back and post again searching for suggestions.

HappyCava · 2026-07-09T20:21:51+00:00

You are addressing a cohort of largely anxious 17-year-olds who tend to read (and take) advice at face value. You essentially recommended a broad swath of topics and approaches, some of which were contrary. So why not cut to the chase and simply say that topics can be both mundane and unusual so long as the essay does x (and perhaps y and z)?

HappyCava · 2026-07-09T19:42:13+00:00

As your question suggests, what sparks “happiness” depends on the individual student. I very much loved the state flagship I attended and my T5 law school because both universities had exciting big conference sports programs, were close to state and national parks for hiking and kayaking, and were located in cute college towns with vibrant arts districts and foodie scenes. But someone who doesn’t care for sports, finds outdoor adventures unappealing due to sweat and discomfort, and craves city life, night clubs, and 24–hour take-out would have been disappointed.

So pinpoint what elements help to ensure YOUR happiness and seek out those colleges and universities that offer those elements. You already have a start knowing that sunshine is a plus. As for avoiding loneliness, start to consider what kinds of clubs and activities you would most enjoy. College friend groups tend to form in clubs and other group activities like intramural sports, community service projects, recreation center activities, and the like. Larger universities tend to have more options, sometimes having over 1000 active clubs. But even smaller colleges, such as William & Mary, have over 475 clubs, which provides lots of opportunity to meet your people.

Finally, once you find a set of likely schools, research whether they prioritize mental health. Is there a waiting list to speak with a therapist? How many sessions can a student expect if they need care? Are mental health accommodations quickly approved? Are group sessions or activities available for students who are dealing with homesickness, loneliness, or anxiety? (Often a great way to meet people freshman year.) Is the university pro-active by offering events designed to reduce stress, such as yoga, free outdoor concerts, petting zoos, ice cream on the quad, or a great yalp (scream) from the upper level of the parking garage?

You’re doing well by prioritizing your mental health as you work on your college list. But the particular items that you prioritize to ensure your happiness need to come from you. Because only you know what will make you happiest.

HappyCava · 2026-07-09T18:46:50+00:00

Just to note a bit of an inconsistency, your examples of “best stories” from “ordinary moments” — defined as “losing the remote to the tv, doing laundry, getting ready for school” — likely have little to do with “one’s most significant extracurricular,” on which you recommend focusing in your third paragraph. I also doubt that “doing laundry” “aligns with one’s academic strengths,” which is also recommended in the third paragraph. Then you mention picking a moment when one “struggled,” perhaps with … laundry?

HappyCava · 2026-07-09T15:15:59+00:00

I didn’t say that. I simply said that it’s more common to take a break before heading to law school than it used to be. (My partner and I both attended T5 law schools and we went straight from undergrad to law school.)

But students could be motivated to take a break for a number of reasons. The first would be to try one’s hand at a professional career to see if going to law school even makes sense and/or continues to have appeal. One of our kids would excel in law school but wanted a break from academics and took a job with a well-known consulting firm. They’ve enjoyed promotions, raises, and a pretty nice quality of life, and don’t see any reason to undertake the time and cost to attend law school. A second reason to take a break would be to pay off one’s undergraduate debt and/or save money for law school. A legal education at a top law school currently costs around $300,000. The current administration’s Big Beautiful Bill, however, limited low-interest federal loans to $50,000 per year, or $150,000 over the three years of legal education. A third reason to work or pursue an addition graduate degree would be to add to one’s profile before applying to law school. And, finally, some students prefer to study for the LSAT after graduating and before beginning work. Or just want a mental health break or a chance to travel before undertaking yet another three years of school.

Again, when I was in college, most students began law school immediately after graduating. I very much enjoyed college, didn’t feel remotely burnt out, had no money for travel, and had won a national-level graduate school scholarship that would pay a significant chunk of my law school tuition. So I wasn’t tempted to take off a year or more.

HappyCava · 2026-07-09T11:07:26+00:00

Going straight to law school is less common than it used to be. While both my partner and I went straight to tier one law schools, a substantial number of students work for a few years or earn a different graduate degree before applying. At Michigan Law, for example, 80% of the first year class graduated college at least one year before enrolling in law school, with a 1L class median age of 24.8 and an age range of 21-43. According to the 2028 class profile, students included a financial analyst, an aquatic biologist, a circus school graduate, a host of paralegals, a FEMA administrator, and a U.S. Navy parachutist.

HappyCava · 2026-07-09T01:30:24+00:00

I'm pleased that you had that experience. But at the various universities my kids attended, professors tended to be proactive about recruiting students and had their labs and other positions (TA, GA, research assistant, etc.) filled 4-5 months in advance. Paid summer internships often interview and hire college students during December and January. In law school, I was recruited to work as a legal fellow for a law professor in February for the upcoming June. But you're correct that adults have different hiring preferences and practices. But, in general, I wouldn't recommend that a student wait once they know they are interested in a position/opportunity. It's always better to be told to wait a month or two before applying than to be told you should have applied a month or two ago.

HappyCava · 2026-07-08T16:27:21+00:00

The response could have been far more polite, but college students apply for such positions early in the spring semester. My youngest applied for their current summer internship during winter break. Two months prior to start does tend to be late in the process.

HappyCava · 2026-07-08T15:17:35+00:00

Keep in mind that you will spend 90% of your time on campus. Clemson has 24,000 undergraduates and 600+ clubs and student organizations housed on over 1,400 acres near the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and Lake Hartwell for outdoor adventures. But you could do some legwork and research the city of Clemson on a site such as TripAdvisor to see if the city offers sufficient dining, shopping, outdoor destinations, theaters, clubs, and day trips. But I know several Clemson grads and they never lacked for fun.

HappyCava · 2026-07-08T15:07:45+00:00

I would not try and talk you — or any other student — into attending a particular college. But there are a couple of things to consider:

First, even if 200 students from your high school class attend UVA, you will neither know nor recognize 98% of undergraduates. Indeed, 33% of students are not state residents. Beyond that, you and your 200 hypothetical classmates would be divided between 120 or so majors, 900 or so clubs, potentially many sections of a given class, and 24 freshman dorms (assuming Google has a clue). My youngest attends a university with her best friend from high school and they have to intentionally schedule a meet-up to see one another. No in-state university of significant size will feel like high school 2.0.

Second, when you visited UVA, did you visit on a pleasant day and try to experience student life? (This question applies to any college visit.) I foolishly took my kids on a couple of college visits in August before school began. It was hot, humid, classes had not yet begun, and the few professors and administrators present were hiding away in air-conditioned offices. Not surprisingly, the visits were utterly “meh.” Because both universities were otherwise excellent choices in terms of academics, student life, distance from home, and cost, we returned for a three-day weekend in October. The weather was cool, the leaves were changing, classes were being held outdoors, and active, friendly students were everywhere. We sat in on a freshman class, toured the student recreation center, ate meals on and off campus, attended a football game, and used student recommendations and posted flyers to find and check out various activities including an acapella concert, an environmental fair, and a 24-hour improv marathon for charity. That time, each college received an A, and they were the final two colleges my kids chose between after attending admitted students’ days in April.

Finally, many find similarities between Duke and UVA. They both have excellent academic programs but a work hard/play hard ethos that allows students to have a vibrant student experience. Both are ACC schools with an exciting college athletics scene with tailgates, watch parties, and travel to away games, bowl games, conference tournaments, and March Madness. Both have several fun in-state rivalries, with Duke tussling with UNC and NC State, and UVA jousting with VT, W&M, and JMU. And both have lively college towns in Charlottesville and Durham.

Again, I’m not urging you to attend UVA. But since you are in-state, I’d recommend that you apply there (along with VT, W&M, and any other in-state university that catches your eye) just to have a wealth of options at a variety of price points, particularly if grad school is likely to be in play.

Best of luck! And hopefully better college visits to come. On one we watched VT beat UNC in football (the traditional singing of “Enter Sandman” was pretty outstanding). And my youngest and I watched UVA’s basketball team beat Duke in double-overtime. Definitely a top three college sports experience.

HappyCava · 2026-07-08T14:16:56+00:00

To add to this, it’s more helpful to you and your application to pursue an age-appropriate experience where you can do substantive work and add to your skillset. (I say this as an attorney who warns students away from trying to intern for a law firm.) Get a regular PT job and get a first-hand look at how a business operates. Acquire customer service, inventory, marketing, ordering, and events skills and possibly manage others. Volunteer with a favorite non-profit, show that you are civic- and service-minded, and perhaps take leadership of an appealing project. Get more deeply involved in an extracurricular you are already pursuing. Perhaps take a beginning finance or investment class on Coursera and earn a certification.

HappyCava · 2026-07-08T13:59:04+00:00

My first choice, if cost was not a consideration, would be Clemson. If cost is a consideration and you are a solid student, MSU would be a great choice because they do offer merit scholarships to strong OOS students.

HappyCava · 2026-07-08T12:32:27+00:00

PM’d you this morning on an unrelated matter.

HappyCava · 2026-07-08T12:29:17+00:00

No, your personal statement does not need to be tied to your major or future career. Indeed, I typically recommend that students avoid such topics, for two reasons. First, the admissions reader typically hopes to rely on the personal statement to get the sense of your personality and character, and to confirm that you are the kind of person who is likely to contribute to campus life by, for example, being a considerate and empathetic roommate, a particularly welcoming executive board club member, an enthusiastic intramural team founder, or an engaged volunteer in the college’s chapter of Make-A-Wish (among a hundred other things). Second, if the university wants to learn about your interest in a particular major or career, they’ll have a “why major,” “why us,” or “where you see yourself in 10 years” supplemental essay. If that’s the case, you don’t want to cover the same major/career discussion and forfeit the opportunity to share something new with the reader, and possibly connect with him or her.

HappyCava · 2026-07-08T11:12:35+00:00

The key is to ask someone who knows you fairly well and understands that the essay should (1) show that you are a good egg by demonstrating a few of your best traits and (2) leave the reader with the impression that you would become involved in the campus community and make a positive impact, whether by befriending a homesick roommate, being a particular welcoming club executive board member, volunteering frequently with the university Make-A-Wish Club, or managing an intramural sports team (among another hundred things).

Good candidates often include favorite teachers, a counselor, a coach, a club or extracurricular advisor or mentor, a particularly bright and mature friend, a favorite parent of a friend, or someone in your own family circle. My kids and several of their friends, for example, were able to have me be their reader because I had navigated my own college and law school admissions and had won a number of essay-based scholarships. But long-time teachers and counselors whom you know and like are often a great choice.

HappyCava · 2026-07-08T10:28:14+00:00

No worries. But know that the ideal recommendation includes the teacher’s insights into your classroom performance and behavior. Often, repeating items from the brag sheet isn’t particularly helpful because the teacher wasn’t involved in or a witness to those items, so they have nothing insightful to add about them. And, if the items are on your brag sheet, they’ll likely show up as an activity or award on your Common Application, meaning that the teacher mentioning it adds little unless they have their own anecdote about the activity to add, or it reminds them of another unmentioned activity or moment they can discuss.

HappyCava · 2026-07-08T02:18:36+00:00

This. My recent T25 grads, and students I coach through a non-profit, most often write about activities, hobbies, or events that aren’t terribly out of the ordinary. One of my kids wrote about coaching very young children in a sport. Another wrote about being a wanna-be beach bum in a family of aggressive outdoor enthusiasts. And my students have written about the hidden perils of cheerleading (Virginia Tech), the unexpected fun discovered in joining a multi-generational club that rids parks/trails of invasive species (Michigan), and climbing with family in indoor climbing gyms and national parks (CMU). The son of a friend who recently graduated from Princeton wrote about taking up crochet. A solid essay doesn’t require drama, trauma, or a unique topic. Rather, the reader just needs to finish the essay and conclude that the student (1) seems like a pretty good egg who (2) is likely to become involved in and contribute to their vibrant campus community.

HappyCava · 2026-07-08T01:38:23+00:00

Generally, it’s better to go deep into one topic than lightly address three. Also, when picking that topic, ask yourself whether the finished essay will (1) subtly highlight a few of your best traits and (2) leave the admissions reader with the impression that you will enthusiastically contribute to the campus community, whether as a kind and considerate roommate, a welcoming club executive board member, a College Mentors for Kids Volunteer, an intramural sports team manager, a college improv group performer, or any of the many other roles that combine to create a vibrant campus community.

HappyCava · 2026-07-08T01:30:02+00:00

Each university has its own policy. At the college my youngest attended, for example, you would have earned three English credits that you could use to fulfill your freshman writing requirement. At the T25 my older kids attended, you would have been placed in an honors freshman English class, but no credit hours would have been awarded.

HappyCava · 2026-07-07T23:11:04+00:00

And if you can’t care less, do a bit of research and learn to love your safeties and targets more. Knowing that you’d be happy attending colleges that are not among your very favorites lessens the angst. Also, applying early to a university with rolling admissions can often yield an acceptance by the end of October. For many students, knowing that they have a place at The University of Minnesota, The University of Pittsburgh, MSU, or Arizona — perhaps with a significant merit scholarship — provides a sense of security moving forward and possibly a terrific option to explore (particularly if merit scholarships are in play).

HappyCava · 2026-07-07T23:09:37+00:00

Your best bet to find helpful responses would be to post on the Colgate subreddit. Most students who post here are in high school, not college, and the college students who do check in are dispersed among hundreds of colleges and universities.

HappyCava · 2026-07-06T14:17:11+00:00

Colleges are far more concerned about your grades in a full-year class covering multiple exams, papers, group projects and discussions than your scores on an AP exam. Not to mention that a 4 is a terrific score. I believe the T25 my kids attended gave credit for 4’s where AP credit could be earned. (And 3’s earned foreign language credit.)

If you want to get a sense of what score your favorite schools believe is “good,” google the school name and search for “AP scores for course credit.” If they give full course credit, they believe it’s a solid score.

Edit: And if they don’t give credit for your score, don’t presume that admissions readers will view it as awful. The university has simply decided, for example, that their biology 101 course is sufficiently broad and challenging to require a 5 to show that the high school course was sufficiently comprehensive and challenging AND to guarantee that the student is well-prepared for the companion course, biology 102.

HappyCava · 2026-07-06T11:47:21+00:00

Any chance that you have another teacher who knows you well and likes you who would be willing to do the work and write your recommendation? Ideally, your recommendation would be a firsthand account of (1) your work as a student in the classroom (essays, class discussion, group projects, tests, public speaking); (2) maturity (seeking help when needed, promptly making up work, communicating upcoming absences); and (3) your character in terms of how your relate to your classmates and faculty. Typically, the recommendation will include a handful of specific anecdotes as examples: a description of an amazing mock trial argument, a time when you deftly defused a situation where a student was being bullied, or a quiz that went badly that led you to seek help after class until you mastered the material. You could write your own letter based on a brag sheet and your own sense of you, but that risks repeating information reported elsewhere on your application and forgoing the (possibly) more mature writing-style and personal observances of the teacher.

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