Also known as "Freshman", the College Freshman is a first year student who is enrolled at a college or university. As previous high school seniors, the freshmen that come to college usually span the spectrum of very shy to overly cocky. Either way, freshman students tend to be confused and sometimes overwhelmed the first few weeks of school. Their lack of experience shows when trying to accomplish simple tasks such as finding a class, getting food at the cafeteria, and going out to parties and social events. College freshman students tend to make friends in the dorm and leave for social events in very large groups of people, carry trays at the cafeteria, and get lost the first couple weeks trying to get to class.

Because of newly acquired independence, freshmen at college tend to make decisions for instant gratification. This can lead to weight gain, injury's, sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy, and alcoholism. Students attending their first year at a college or university need to find the balance between the extremes and find out on their own what is right and wrong. By doing this the freshman will help define themselves as a person for the rest of their lives.

One in four freshman drop out before senior year, and nearly half of all freshman do not graduate. This can be alarming for parents and students. College freshman need to stay focused on school to make it to sophomore year. It is such a new an exciting time with a lot of distractions and temptations but the focus needs to be on school and getting good grades.

Don't get discouraged! Many have survived freshman year of college and you can too! Stay focused and get that degree!