Congratulations! You have just started Film School! You must be very excited about all the possibilities that lie in front of you, all the new people you will meet and all the new things you will learn. This new experience can be extremely exciting and scary in the same time. With so many options that you have and a newfound freedom, it can become overwhelming and difficult to keep a balance between learning and enjoying the student life to its fullest.

Here are a few tips that every filmmaking freshman should know:

1. Go to class

An important part of expanding your knowledge about the film industry takes place in class. Teachers are there to guide you, pass down knowledge and answer your questions. Even if you do not currently have a big understanding of this field, you can make a big difference if you just show up and pay attention to what they have to say. Going to class can also make a difference in your grades because there is a lot that you can learn from simply being there and listening.

Your teacher will also appreciate your enthusiasm that you will show towards their course. If you have any question or if you need an advice for your future filmmaking journey, they will be more than happy to help you.

2. Teachers are humans, too

Your teachers are not robots whose only purpose is to come to class, do their job and then grade you based on your performance. Your teachers are also humans, just like you and your classmates. They have dreams and aspirations too and they have conducted many years of research in the field they are teaching. Their passion and dedication can be a source of inspiration for your future projects, too. Aside from being teachers, they are human beings and they are capable of empathy and understanding their students. They love to see when a student is excited about what they are teaching and they appreciate when you show them respect, show to class and ask for guidance or feedback when you are working at projects. Take advantage of their office hours.

3. Internships help your future career

One of the best advantage about being a student is that you can gain access to student-only internships. Many Universities have partnerships with companies that provide special internships for their students so make sure to look them up as soon as you can. If you cannot find an internship early on, try volunteering. For example, you could become the volunteer and help to organize a Film Festival in your area. This experience will help you understand more about how the film industry work and will also help you create new connections in the industry that might help you later on.

4. Join clubs around your school

This will help you meet new students and will allow you to create many fun memories. Start looking for clubs around your University as soon as you can and find the one that best matches your vibe.

5. Meet your Academic Counselor

Many schools provide an Academic Counselor that can help you prepare for your future career. They can educate you on making conscious decisions and even advise you on your course selections and extracurricular activities.

6. Keep an open mind

A part of your student experience is to explore and try new things. You never know what you might learn in class, who you might meet and what ideas you might have. You are surrounded by like-minded people, with a passion similar to yours and some of them are experts in their fields. Try to make new friends and work together on short films or other creative projects. 

These are great tips I will keep in mind! I am not currently in film school but I want to apply in the near future!

In my opinion, the first tip matters the most for your career