The best advice for incoming UMD freshmen is to say yes early, give yourself time to find your people, use campus resources before you need them and avoid comparing your college experience to everyone else’s. Freshman year at Maryland moves quickly, and the students who adjust well are usually the ones who stay open-minded, get involved and ask for help when they need it.
If you’re getting ready to start at the University of Maryland, you may be wondering: Will I make friends? How hard will classes be? What should I do before the semester starts? How do I make the most of my first year in College Park?
At Rambler College Park, we know that where you live, who you meet and how you spend your first few weeks can shape your entire college experience. Whether you’re moving into a dorm, joining student organizations or exploring campus for the first time, a little advice from current students can make the transition feel less overwhelming.
In this article, we’ll share some of the most common advice current UMD students give incoming freshmen. Whether you’re moving in this fall or counting down the days until orientation, these tips can help you make the most of your first year.
Read Next: What to Expect During Move-In Week at the University of Maryland
1. Say Yes More Often During Your First Few Weeks
One piece of advice you’ll hear repeatedly from current students is simple: say yes.
Someone in your dorm invites you to grab dinner? Go. A classmate asks if you want to study together? Go. A student organization is hosting an event? Check it out.
You don’t have to commit to every opportunity forever, but your first few weeks on campus are the easiest times to meet people and build friendships.
Most students say their closest college friends came from random invitations they almost turned down.
2. Don’t Stress if You Haven’t Found Your Friend Group Immediately
Social media can make it seem like everyone finds their best friends on the first day of college.
That’s rarely the reality.
Many students spend their first semester meeting different people, joining organizations and figuring out where they fit in.
Some students find their closest friends through dorm life. Others meet them through clubs, classes, Greek life, sports or even part-time jobs.
If you don’t find your people immediately, that’s completely normal.
Read Next: How to Find Roommates at UMD
3. Go to Office Hours
This advice comes up constantly among upperclassmen.
College professors genuinely want students to succeed, but they can’t help if they never see you outside of class.
Office hours are a great opportunity to ask questions, review assignments, clarify difficult concepts and build relationships with professors.
Those relationships can become valuable later when applying for internships, research positions or graduate school.
4. Learn Campus Before Classes Start
UMD is a large campus.
Walking from one side of campus to the other can take longer than many incoming students expect.
Before classes begin, take some time to locate:
- Academic buildings
- McKeldin Library
- Stamp Student Union
- Eppley Recreation Center
- Dining Halls
- Bus Stops
Knowing where everything is can make your first week much less stressful.
5. Use Campus Resources Early
Many freshmen wait until they’re struggling to seek help. Current students recommend doing the opposite.
UMD offers resources including academic advising, tutoring services, career counseling, mental health support, writing assistance and academic success workshops.
Using these resources proactively can help make your transition much smoother.
6. Get Involved Outside the Classroom
Some of the best college memories happen outside of lectures and exams.
Whether you’re interested in club sports, student government, cultural organizations, professional clubs, volunteer opportunities or Greek life, getting involved helps make a large university feel much smaller.
It also gives you opportunities to meet students with similar interests.
7. Don’t Bring Your Car Freshman Year
This is one recommendation that comes up surprisingly often.
Most freshmen quickly realize they don’t need a car.
Between walking, campus buses and the occasional rideshare, getting around is relatively easy.
Parking can be expensive and finding a spot isn’t always convenient.
Unless you have a specific reason to bring a vehicle, many students recommend waiting at least a year.
Read Next: Pros and Cons of Bringing a Car to Campus
8. Take Advantage of Living in the Dorms
Even students who eventually move off campus often look back fondly on dorm life.
Leaving your door open, meeting people on your floor and participating in residence hall events can help create friendships that last throughout college.
Many upperclassmen say they wouldn’t trade their freshman dorm experience, even if communal bathrooms weren’t exactly their favorite part.
9. Explore Beyond Campus
One of UMD’s biggest advantages is its location.
While College Park has plenty to offer, don’t forget you’re also close to:
- Washington, D.C.
- Arlington
- Alexandria
- Baltimore
- Annapolis
Take advantage of Metro access and spend some weekends exploring the surrounding area.
Many students discover some of their favorite college memories happen off campus.
Read Next: Best Weekend Trips Within Two Hours of College Park
10. Don’t Compare Your College Experience to Everyone Else’s
This might be the most important advice on the list.
Some students rush Greek life. Others don’t.
Some students join five clubs. Others focus on one.
Some students find internships immediately; others take time to figure things out.
There is no single “right” college experience.
Current students consistently emphasize that the best thing you can do is focus on your own goals, interests and timeline.
11. Take Pictures More Often
Freshman year moves faster than you think.
Take pictures with your roommates. Take pictures at football games. Take pictures during move-in week, Maryland Day and late-night study sessions.
Years from now, you’ll be glad you did.
12. Remember to Actually Enjoy College
It’s easy to become focused on grades, internships and career planning.
Those things matter, but so do the experiences you’ll remember long after graduation.
Attend the football game, run the Midnight Mile, take a picture with Testudo, watch the sunset on McKeldin Mall and spend time with friends.
The students who look back most fondly on college are often the ones who found a balance between preparing for the future and enjoying the present.
Starting college can feel intimidating, but every Maryland student has gone through the same transition.
The advice current students share most often isn’t about having the perfect schedule, joining the perfect club or making the perfect decision. It’s about being open to new experiences, putting yourself out there and making the most of your time in College Park.
Before you know it, you’ll be the upperclassman giving advice to the next generation of Terps.
If you have any further questions, feel free to reach out to our leasing team at Rambler College Park North or Rambler College Park South. We would be happy to help you transition into your new home away from home.
Allison
Allison is a Property Marketing Intern for Rambler College Park. She's a student at the University of Maryland, majoring in Marketing and Management. Her favorite drink to order is a vanilla iced latte!
Published On: October 16, 2026
Last Updated On: October 16, 2026
