Adjusting to College 101
Looking back on my Freshmen year of college I think I mentally blocked out the awkwardness of the first few weeks. You are thrown into a new environment with new people and sometimes it can feel like you are a fish out of water. Do not stress or think that this is a permanent feeling. I am here to tell you it gets better! However, it only gets better if you completely buy into the college concept and actively give it the good old college try. Here are a few easy ways to do just that!
Embrace feeling uncomfortable
You are never going to be able to enjoy the tailgate before the football game if you are constantly worried about whether or not those around you care if you are there. It is a weird adjustment going from high school friends who you grew up with and who know everything about you to knowing very few people. Use this opportunity to branch out and get to know a lot of different people who are into a diverse range of things. The ‘uncomfortable’ you are feeling is actually helping you grow as a person because it indicates you are trying something new outside of your comfort zone. A+ for personal growth my friends!
Get involved in everything
The ONLY way to feel connected to your college campus is to get involved. Try everything, because why not? What harm will going to a few Quidditch Club meetings do to you? In reality, none. I can only foresee in your future great entertainment and awesome stories from trying out Harry Potter related anything. Who knows, you may discover an entirely new passion. The day my plane landed in Seattle was the first day of Formal Fall Recruitment. In my case, joining the Greek community was initially how I made a huge school like the University of Washington just a little bit smaller. Next I ran for a house position, contributed to a fundraising effort for a non-profit, joined a club, and started writing for Odyssey. Soon I realized I was over-involved to the point where is started to stress me out. I made the decision to scale back my extracurricular activities but if I could go back and do it all over again I would not change how many new things I tried. I learned a lot about myself and most importantly was busy. Staying busy and socially active is vitally important to the college experience.
Prioritize yourself
College and your early twenties is the only time in your life where it is acceptable to be selfish. Now, I am not saying it is okay be a bad friend or shirk your responsibilities. My point is that at this time in your life you do not have a nine to five job, a spouse, kids, a mortgage, etc to factor into any decision you have have to make. It is only your personal, mental, emotional health and happiness that matter. If a friend is incredibly negative and bringing you down and preventing you from learning, growing, and having fun, then wave goodbye because life is too short. If you want to go out to a party and people are telling you that it will be lame, go anyway because you want to. If you want to take a class in Scandinavian Children’s Stories because you are genuinely curious, take it even if you are the only of your friends doing it. Do what you want, when you want, how you want because college is the only time you get to 100% focus on yourself and your own personal growth.
Adjusting to college takes time and for each individual the time it takes varies. It could take a few weeks or it could take all of Freshmen year. When I look back on my first year of college, I realize that I found my best friends and made the most incredible and hilarious memories. I sincerely hope that everyone entering their first year of college practices these three things to make their experience as phenomenal as mine. Good luck and remember that the awkward phase does not last forever!
