It's the most stressful time of the year, when stores are overflowing with dorm essentials and parents are putting together their kids' packing lists.
The class of 2026 is preparing to embark on their next adventure: college. Meanwhile, ASU is preparing to welcome them.
Riane Leith, an incoming freshman studying biological sciences, said she chose ASU because of its proximity, culture and cost.
"Going into a new place (with) people all around the world with different cultures and different backgrounds that I'm not completely familiar with is definitely a little intimidating," Leith said. "But, I can say it's still one of the things I'm excited about."
As the largest public university in the nation, it can be a bit of a shock to meet so many different types of people around ASU.
Micaela Golez, a sophomore studying nursing, said she felt welcome coming into ASU for that exact reason.
"Everyone has a lot of grace for one another," Golez said. "Although it's something that can be daunting, there's a comfort in knowing that it's everyone's first time here too."
The best thing a person can do in this situation is to keep an open mind. College is an opportunity to learn about other lifestyles.
Leith said the question she'd ask upperclassmen is what they regret not doing while they were in college.
April Stevens, a sophomore studying economics, said she regrets not reaching out to her classmates. She added that everyone is nervous to make friends at first, and she wishes she hadn't been scared to break the ice.
READ MORE: Welcome to ASU: The top 5 freshman year canon events
Teagan Savage, an incoming freshman studying biochemistry, has a few concerns about starting college — "My knee-jerk reaction would be eating too much food at the dining hall," she joked.
But the dreaded "freshman 15" is a real concern for some students.
Golez said she experienced similar fears before coming to ASU, but quickly realized it was a harmful stereotype to be scared of.
"I don't think it's a worry anyone in their freshman year should be prioritizing, because it's just not worth any energy to think about," Golez said.
Golez added she enjoyed meals at the dining hall that were new foods she hadn't tried before, but there are also everyday staples that everyone can enjoy.
READ MORE: Got M&G? Top 5 places to spend your Maroon & Gold dollars
Budgeting Maroon and Gold dollars can also be a challenge. There's almost a science to balancing your Chick-fil-A trips before you inevitably run out. It can be helpful to plan out your weekly budget at the beginning of the semester.
Golez advised Sun Devils to "not get trigger happy" with M&G, and to prioritize using meal swipes.
"Try to emphasize with your future self," Stevens said. "Remember that they also would like to have a little spending money in their pocket."
Cadence Rowe, an incoming freshman studying criminology, said she was mostly worried about classes being difficult.
Stevens said her trick to staying on top of assignments was to get work done in advance. She also said using organizational tools on Canvas helped her remember deadlines.
READ MORE: Expert promotes work-life integration over work-life balance for students
"There’s nobody to hold your hand, and no one’s gonna help you if you don’t help yourself," Rowe said. "There’s no one babysitting you."
Independence is one of the most exciting and terrifying aspects of college. The biggest lesson learned freshman year is to take initiative in every aspect of life.
"Being an adult is really about self-discipline," Stevens said. "There's no one there to tell you to do your homework, to wake you up or to help you find your classes."
Another drastic change of moving away from home is living with new roommates. Savage said she is a little scared to coexist with people she hasn't met before.
Golez said roommate bonds can lead to strong friendships if there is clear communication and respect for one another.
"You hear these horror stories about roommates not getting along," Golez said. "But you never really hear about the happy endings of it, and there are a lot of happy endings."
Savage also said she'd want to know what resources there are to help students.
The University has a plethora of resources — so many that it can almost be overwhelming to figure out where to go for what.
RAs and guidance counselors are excellent people to lean on. They can help narrow down which specific department students should go to, depending on the type of support needed.
Freshman year is a whirlwind of emotions. While there's no manual for making it through, there are a few tips that might lighten the emotional weight.
Edited by Mia Sweador, Senna James, Natalia Jarrett and Claire Bixby
Reach the reporter at ajanusee@asu.edu and follow @lexijanusee on X.
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Lexi Janusee is in her second semester with the State Press. She is a freshman studying Journalism and Mass Communications with a minor in Theatre. Lexi also works for Blaze Radio, and is an on-air host for Open Mic.
