Transitioning from high school to college is a very interesting lifestyle shift. One moment you are hanging out with your best friends, driving all around your hometown and the next, you are alone in a new, undiscovered place.
Yes, my college experience was rough at first, but honestly, whose isn't? I missed my parents, sister, and friends. I missed knowing where everything is in my environment. And most of all, I missed knowing what to expect. High school was all I knew the last four years of my life, and now it was finally time to move on.
Although I was immensely worried about what college had in store for me, somehow I calmed myself down and everything went a lot better than I expected. For me, academics are a huge stressor; however, my first semester classes were the perfect balance of challenging and calm. Even though I go to a large school, my gen-ed classes were relatively small and intimate, which was shocking to me. Luckily, this class size made learning easier than I initially thought.
When I was a senior in high school, a few students that graduated the previous year came back to speak on a panel. I vividly remember them saying that you have to get out there and explore various clubs and communities to make connections. Now I know that sounds super obvious, but making friends really counts on the effort you put into searching for organizations that interest you.
During my first semester, I joined Temple's literary magazine, Hypen, Eco-Eating, and last but not least, Odyssey. Without these communities, I wouldn't be as well established and sociable as I am today.
It's essential to reflect on what I did this semester that made it amazing. If I ever feel overwhelmed in the Spring, I can look back to this post for guidance and maybe even provide some insight. Personally, time management is key in my daily life. Thinking and working ahead are fundamental in order to achieve success. In addition, there also comes a sense of accomplishment when you finish an assignment before the due date (who doesn't like the feeling of crossing something off their to-do list?)
After becoming incredibly overwhelmed my first week of college, I texted my dad and he sent me all these tips. I immediately wrote them down and attached the list to my agenda that I open every day for a helpful reminder.Isabella Hornick
Another element that helped me have a successful semester was allowing myself some free time. As much as I love completing work early, it can get tiring. This semester, I went to the gym three times a week, and it honestly helped me through all my schoolwork. Yes, after a while working out feels like a chore, but I kept reminding myself that this quick hour allows me to listen to my favorite playlist, catch up on my youtube subscriptions, and release stress all at the same time.
I am also making the effort to try new things this year which corresponds to the start of my spring semester. I really want to expand on my hobbies and do more than just rewatch episodes of "The Office" (even though it is my favorite show.) Drawing used to be one of my passions, but over time, I lost my drive because I started doing more reading and writing. My goal is to draw at least one sketch a day and get back into art little by little.
Additionally, I am trying to teach myself how to play the guitar. In elementary school, I played the clarinet, but I didn't have much dedication to continue. Since my junior year of high school, I wanted to learn another instrument. I always liked the acoustic guitar, and luckily, my dad had one just lying around. So on the ride back to Temple, I had my new guitar in the trunk. I'm eager to practice, and hopefully, I can learn a couple of songs while I'm here.
Multiple things made my first semester of college a positive experience, and I am so incredibly grateful for everything and everyone that contributed to it. From my classes to clubs, I truly felt welcomed and capable of achieving my goals. This semester really helped me ease into college life and made me feel more comfortable in my new home away from home.
I can't wait for an even better second semester!
