My freshman year of college was interesting to say the least. I came into it thinking I knew pretty much everything, but soon realized that I had a lot to learn. Adjustment to college life can be tough for incoming students, so here are a few things I want to share from my experience to help incoming freshman with their experiences during their first year.
1. Adjusting will be tough, and that's okay. While the situation differs for each individual, typically going from high school to college is a rather large change. For students living on campus, being away from home can be quite difficult. Not seeing your parents or hometown friends every day may feel overwhelming during your first few weeks there because that's what you have been used to. Just know that this is normal for first year students, and with time typically things will even out.
2. Time management is key. One big difference from high school to college is the increased level of independence that you obtain. For instance, you might only have two classes on a Tuesday morning and have the rest of the day free. Now, what you do with that time makes all the difference. Try making an organized schedule and try and be mindful of your time. By doing this, you will feel more organized and less stressed.
3. Don't be intimidated by large friend groups. My first weekend on campus I was shocked at the amount of people who had already found cliques or larger groups of people that they mesh with. Meanwhile, I had made one friend and did not know how to venture out and meet new people. Try starting off small and branching out to one or two people. Starting off small helped me gain the confidence for when I was introduced to larger groups later on. Because of this, my social and interpersonal skills were strengthened and I made a rather nice bunch of friends.
4. Still make time for yourself. It is true that school work is a priority, however putting your mental health first is crucial to success in a college setting. When you get too overwhelmed, anxious, or frustrated, that can lead to becoming unfocused with schoolwork. To try and combat this issue, reach out to counselors on your school's campus to talk through some of these problems. You can also get advice from peers or upperclassmen who may have experienced similar situations in the past.
5. Remember why you are there. College unlike grade school is not mandatory, so therefore you are not forced to attend. Some people decide not to pursue higher education after high school or obtain a job instead. With that said, those who do chose to attend a college or university are obviously there for some reason or goal in mind. Maybe your goal is to get a bachelors degree in mathematics or maybe you aspire to become a registered nurse. Whatever the case may be, there is an end goal in sight, With that said, always remember who you are and where you came from. It can be easy to lose yourself in new, possibly stressful situations, so try to stay grounded within yourself.
While adjusting to college life may be scary, remember that it can also be just as exciting. You are beginning a new chapter in your life with so many possibilities ahead of you. There may be times where you get discouraged or frustrated with a particular class, but trying to make the positive out of these situations makes all the difference. Good luck in your future endeavors to whomever is reading this, I believe in you.
