Spongebob's College Guide to an Awesome Freshman Year

By Trishauna Champagnie on August 16, 2017

Who doesn’t love SpongeBob? is a rhetorical question because everyone who matters loves SpongeBob or has at least seen it.

Whether you love or hate SpongeBob, one thing we can all shake hands on is that it is not educational or helpful in any way … WRONG!! SpongeBob may be the key to a successful first semester for all my new freshmen out there.

The legendary SpongeBob playing in his idiot box once said these wise words: “All you need is I.M.A.G.I.N.A.T.I.O.N.”

Let me break it down for you.

https://media.tenor.com

I: Improvise

If your first semester (or even first year) will be as horrible as mine was then this tip might come in handy. Such a sweet, sophisticated word for screw ups like us. When you’re in a pickle, like for instance when the teacher calls on you in class but you weren’t paying attention, forgot to do that project that’s due in two hours, or even ripped your favorite jeans when you bent down to pick up your penny because college made you broke as hell, all you have to do is improvise.

Ask the teacher to repeat the question because you didn’t hear him/her that well, ask a group of friends to help you scrap together this project quickly and for the jeans situation tie a sweater around your waist because God knows we don’t do laundry that often. College is a new experience for everyone so you should know that it’s okay to mess up because trust me, you will eventually mess up, so you better learn to accept it now.

M: Materialistic Things

Starting college for the first time you’re going to over pack especially if you’re dorming far away from home. It’s okay, we all do it because it’s common sense to believe it’s better to have too much than too little.

But don’t do it, please don’t do it, because soon you’ll figure out that you’ve only worn one sweater and two tops from the three suitcases of clothes you brought. Oh, and of those 15 pairs of shoes, you only wore one pair for the entire semester. College can be so stressful and hectic that you don’t even have time to pick out a super cute outfit for your 8 a.m. organic chem class … you know, because it’s an 8 a.m. organic chem class … enough said.

So, to avoid all the hassle and struggles of bringing 20 bags with you to and from college every break just pack the essentials.

twitter.com

A: Aspirations

Nothing is wrong with not having the slightest idea about what career is best for you; that’s why there are undecided majors. But you should have some aspiration or drive to reach a certain goal. Motivation is what pushes us, it’s the thing in the back of our heads that tells us not to give up no matter how horrible your English professor’s English is.

Aspiring to be or do something is everything to us and if you don’t have that then you’re going to have a hard time finding your groove/niche in college. You will also lose motivation very quickly. So, if you’re not career driven yet, join a club, play sports, be a part of a community and only then you will find your own aspiration.

spongebob.wikia.com

G: Growing Up

Yes, if you’ve finally arrived at your brand-new school already unpacked and settled in and all that’s left to do is wave goodbye to the people who love you unconditionally, two things will happen. First, the tears and second, the realization that you’re growing up into a somewhat mature adult. This can be scary for some, normal for others, and just simply confusing for people like me.

It’s very hard being on your own, but also very fun and rewarding. If you’re having a hard time with the realization that you’re becoming your own woman/man know that yes there will be plenty of mistakes (over sleeping on a final) plenty of embarrassments, even many doubts. And even though I’m probably scaring you even more, know it’s all worth it in the end.

The feeling of self-accomplishment is the best feeling you can have in the world.

“I did this on my own.”

“I became this person today because of my willpower.”

Saying statements like these will give you so much confidence to do college all over again (but ain’t nobody got time or money for that).

playbuzz.com

I: Independent

“Miss Independent, that’s why I love her.”

If you want to be like this Miss Independent who Ne-Yo was talking about, you must have confidence in the person you are, motivation to pull it off, and the drive to get all the way to the end.

“Love the way you shine, Miss Independent” (the song’s stuck in my head now).

twitter.com

N: Negotiation

You are going to have to negotiate in college a lot, whether you have roommates, or you’re working on a group project, or if you have a job. You’re this little fish in this big pond now, so most of the time what you do affects others. You must learn how to work well with others not only to ease tension but to build bonds, and a community with people.

Remember you’re growing up now so building friendships or even avoiding conflict means having to split the room in half for you and your roommate or staying up until midnight with your group partner so no one feels like they are doing the majority of the work on their own.

pinterest.com

A: Accomplishments

If you’ve made it this far, congratulations! This means you’ve achieved another milestone in your life … what now? What now is that you’re on your way to accomplish another. Yes, the journey is long and there will be casualties but remember the best war stories are always the bloodiest ones.

fark.com

T: Time Management

Face it, we’ve all battled with procrastination since grade school, for some of us since birth (yes, I was a stubborn newborn). It’s so hard to not procrastinate that I started calling it a disease. But starting college you are going to have to fight against your lazy instincts and be more organized and efficient.

Trust me, starting that 10-page assignment that’s due in two months the day it was assigned will save you from so much last minute stress. Set alarms, buy a planner, just find some creative way to keep yourself on task and focused because time flies, so we should take advantage of it and not become a victim of it.

tumblr.com

I: Intuition

Being away from home and your parents is tough because you’re going to start making decisions for yourself now. So, remember to trust your intuition because most of the time it’s not wrong.

If some of your college buddies are going out to party at midnight but you have a gut feeling telling you to get some rest for that midterm coming up trust it; your body/mind always has a way of protecting you because it knows the consequences that can come from taking certain risks. So, if you have a feeling that something is wrong, or that the influences of people around you are bad, trust it. So, eat your vegetables, don’t do drugs, and stay in school kids, your body is watching you.

pinterest.com

O: Open Minded

Starting a new college you may see a lot of other students from different cultures, backgrounds, and countries. If you do then that’s great, as this means your college is diverse. So, make sure you mingle and get to know new people because even though they’re from a different culture one thing you guys have in common is that you’re both probably scared, nervous, and filled with anxiety, which can be a great icebreaker if I say so myself.

So, go on and talk about how you’re this close to crapping your pants and they’ll probably already be mid process. But whatever you choose to talk about or laugh about be open minded. Getting to know someone who is culturally different than you are is an awesome experience because it not only makes you more aware and knowledgeable about the world around you but it makes you a better person in the process.

imgur.com

N: Never say Never

Did Plankton ever give up trying to find the secret Krabby Patty formula? No, no he did not. He might have his days of doubt but he never quits, even when he gets stomped on, blown up, kicked out, and literally stretched out and flown back to the Chump Bucket. He’s still coming up with strategies for the next day, and the day after that.

So, if a fictional sea plankton can have so much confidence in his goals why can’t you? (This is where the pep talk kicks in.) Going to college, yes there will be obstacles, yes you might start snoring out loud in a packed lecture room, no you might not feel like you belong yet especially in your major, and yes you might get stuck with a crappy roommate (make that two for me).

Regardless of what people say, the embarrassments and mistakes are a part of the college experience because college is preparing you for the real world, and the real world as we all know is not always nice or fair. So, if you’re ever feeling your doubts and hopelessness don’t think about how the road ahead is long and messed up, think about the long and messed up roads you already accomplished and that will give you the motivation you need to believe in yourself.

pinterest.com

So, my college freshmen be brave, be strong, and I hope you have a wonderful, fun, and meaningful college experience.

weheartit.com

Follow Uloop

Apply to Write for Uloop News

Join the Uloop News Team

Discuss This Article

Back to Top

Log In

Contact Us

Upload An Image

Please select an image to upload
Note: must be in .png, .gif or .jpg format
OR
Provide URL where image can be downloaded
Note: must be in .png, .gif or .jpg format

By clicking this button,
you agree to the terms of use

By clicking "Create Alert" I agree to the Uloop Terms of Use.

Image not available.

Add a Photo

Please select a photo to upload
Note: must be in .png, .gif or .jpg format