When I started my first semester at Syracuse, I was excited about the chance to start over. I wanted to get good grades, make amazing friends, and have the time of my life. However, as days turned into weeks and weeks turned into months, I started freaking out whenever things didn't go the way I wanted them to.
When you're overwhelmed, it's so easy to feel like you've made all the choices. I became upset and angry with myself for not making the most of college.
Only recently have I truly realize the importance of forgiving myself. Making mistakes is part of the process of becoming an adult. Though it seems like the end of the world, you will get through it and learn from them. Here are some typical freshman mistakes I made and a reminder that you're not alone.
1. You didn't get the grade you wanted
So...you studied all day for that exam only to get paperback and see a grade you didn't expect. It happens to the best of us. Getting a bad grade sucks. It puts you in a bad mood for the rest of the day and you begin to wonder whether you're as smart as you thought.
However, it's so important to remind yourself of everything you're still adjusting to. You're learning how to manage your time, doing your laundry, and keep your space organized all while dealing with the emotions that come with being away from home. You're bound to get at least one bad grade but it's not the end of the road. Remember, you have three more years.
2. You partied too much
One of the biggest things we learn as college students is how to prioritize. Obviously academics are a huge part of the college experience but when weekends start on Thursdays its pretty easy to get peer-pressured into going out. It's not the most fun experience in the world to wake up the next morning to an 8 a.m. or 9:30 class only to realize you have an exam.
I beat myself up for making the wrong decision and going out despite having work to do. Eventually, though, you find a balance after learning your lesson once or twice. It happens.
3. You missed too much class
It's the worst feeling when you wake up only to realize your alarm didn't go off. Running down the Mount stairs to a class all the way at Newhouse is really not fun. Keeping track of your schedule isn't an easy task. Your college schedule is not the same as the one you had in high school and having free time also comes with the responsibility to manage it well.
Sometimes your absences catch up to you. As long as you learn your lesson and show up to class you'll be ok. paperback isn't the end of the world.
4. You lost a friend
Sometimes you can click with someone instantly but eventually, realize that he or she isn't going to be your best friend for life. It's inevitable that you will lose friends in college. The people you start off freshman year with may not be the people you end it with and that's ok. It's hard to feel like everyone has their own friend group when you're still searching for the people you really click with. Remember that finding true friends takes time and often times its worth the wait.
College is a learning experience. It takes time to figure out how to deal with the stress of being away from home and managing your life on your own. Allow yourself the time and space to make mistakes. Freshman year is a challenging but really fun and exciting time in our lives. To my fellow freshman, forgive yourself. You'll get through this and have some stories to tell.
