Though it may feel like summer is a distant daydream and classes have been going on for an eternity, it is still only the beginning of the semester. With the new semester comes a rush of fresh starts, new experiences, and new worries. Nearly every student feels this way, but first-years especially so. For first-years, going to college is a big leap, whether it's 20 minutes away or across the Atlantic. College is a nerve-wracking experience the first time around and there are many anxious thoughts that meander through a first-year's mind.
1.What's going on?
Your first moments on campus are completely overwhelming. Why are these orientation leaders screaming at me? Where do I put my stuff? What is an L course? What is Midnight Breakfast? Am I supposed to know everything about everything? It's a lot all at once, but it's a lot of fun all at once. Just take a moment to breath, go one step at a time, and everything will become clearer.
2. Is everyone making friends but me?
It may seem like the minute after everyone moves in, everyone but you has clicked with a group of people on campus and they are all instantly best friends. They're all making plans for dinner and to go out late while you're sitting alone in the dining hall and spending the night watching Netflix. Honestly, though it looks like everyone but you has settled in already, no one has really settled in. These groups of friends are just for immediate gratification so people can feel like they have a sense of belonging. I made my close group of friends during orientation, but I also met a lot of new friends during classes, and that's the case for most people. Don't feel like you're missing out already, because you're not. You have plenty of time to meet plenty of people.
3. Is the rest of the school year going to be like orientation?
No, it won't be. And that can be a good thing and a bad thing. For some, the new student orientation program is the best thing ever, for some it's super awkward, and others wish it was never in existence. Take advantage of orientation while you can. Never again in the school year can you shamelessly make a fool of yourself, talk to new people every day, and enjoy your campus without the stresses of classes. Campus is different once classes start. People work into their routines and it's not a party 24/7. So if the constant energy of screaming orientation leaders is not your thing, don't worry, everything will settle down. But if you love the constant party, enjoy it while it lasts.
4. Is it normal to eat alone in the dining hall?
Absolutely yes! I was very self-conscious of eating alone in the dining hall, mainly because I didn't want people to judge me or think I was a loner. I was still in that insecure stage of thinking that everyone had friends but me. Everyone eats alone in the dining hall though. Some people have just too busy a schedule to meet with people to eat all the time. It's okay to just grab a sandwich and sit down, whether or not you want to make friends with the person sitting next to you. And if eating alone in a dining hall really really freaks you out, most dining halls have to go boxes, so you can grab and go as you please.
5. Do I have to be best friends with my roommate?
Some people are and some people aren't. My first-year roommate and I got along wonderfully, but we each had our own friend groups. We cooperated, we understood each other and would hang out together, but we each had our own thing and needed our space. Two of my best friends that I live with now were roommates their first year. Our other best friend did not get along with her roommate at all. Do your best to get along with your roommate. Open up to each other and learn how to give and take. If you two just do not get along, set boundaries, cooperate, and respect each other. Do what will work best for you and your roommate.
6. Should I keep in touch with my friends from home?
The newness of college can be a bit much, so it's normal to miss the familiarity of high school and seeing your best friend every day. Don't dwell on it too much. Be open to new experiences and be willing to meet new people, ready to move forward. That doesn't mean not to keep in touch though. Call your friends once and a while to update each other on your lives. Keeping in touch will make things a lot easier when everyone catches up when they come home for breaks. You may lose touch with people too, and that's okay, because everyone is going off in their own direction now. People may come and go, but hold onto the happy memories.
7. How involved do I have to be on campus?
You don't have to be the president of five clubs, the secretary of four other ones, and attend every cultural appreciation meeting, but don't do nothing at all either. Attend the activities fair, sign up for some clubs you think you might be interested in, and try something new too. If those don't end up working out for you, then don't continue on with them. Getting involved on campus is great way to help you feel more at ease and like your contributing to the campus community, ultimately resulting in a happier college experience.
8. I don't know where any of my classes are! How the heck do I get around campus?
A new place is daunting, and when you're under a time crunch, it can be especially so. Why do all these old buildings look the same? Where are these 27 libraries? Why am I on the fourth floor when I walk into the building on ground level? The first day jitters are bad enough without having to worry about the anxieties of being lost. To avoid all this, take a walk the night before your first day of classes to figure out where all of your classes are located so you will be prepared and confident to be the hotshot college student that you are.
9. Is shopping period always this stressful?
Yes. Yes it is. The first two weeks of the semester tend to suck. Everyone is freaking out because they don't know what classes they're taking or where they're going to be the next day, let alone the next 10 minutes. It helps to have a plan the semester prior (which as a first-year you'll get to do every upcoming semester) to alleviate the pressure of figuring everything out in two weeks. The rest of the semester will be like a diving into a cool pool on a hot day once shopping period is over. Everyone will settle into their schedules and develop their routines, lowering the average stress level of the campus down a million and one notches on the stress-o-meter.
10. Am I going to get along with my professors?
Sometimes you will, sometimes you won't. In big lecture classes, chances are your professor won't know your name unless you make the serious effort for them to know your name. Go to their office hours, ask them questions after class, and be actively involved in class. In smaller seminar courses, you will have a more one-on-one relationship with your professor and they will have a more active role in your education. Ultimately, it's up to you how your relationship is with your professors. They won't baby you and reach out to you first, so if you put in the effort, so will they.
11. What if I don't know what I want to study?
Everyone may be freaking out over what classes to take, but it's okay to have no idea about the specifics of what you want to study. You're only a first-year, you have four whole years to figure out your life ahead of you. This is the start of something new. Take classes you've never heard of before, learn something new, broaden your horizons. You might change direction completely even if you did think you knew what you wanted to study. Go on a mini-adventure and explore new classes.
12. Is it okay to be homesick? What if I'm not?
I am very close to my family, so I definitely miss them every day. Adjusting to college life was difficult for me at first. I was used to coming home from school and telling my mom anything and everything about my day, but now I came back to an empty room. But I had to keep reminding myself that my family is only a phone call away. A phone call home a day is completely normal and healthy, even if it's just to chat for five minutes between class. If you are truly homesick and are having deeper problems, there are plenty of resources on campus to talk to for help. And if you're not missing home at all, that's cool too. Good job for adjusting well to college life! But, call home every now and then. Your mom misses you more than you can even imagine.
College is new, it is exciting, and it is overwhelming. Take everything one step at a time and appreciate every moment of your first college experiences. As long as you keep your mind open to new experiences, your first year of college will go along smoothly and happily.
