What if one day your parents told you to pack up all of your things and get in the car? Being the good child that you are (of course), you did exactly that. You grabbed your favorite shirts, some pictures with your closest friends, and that old teddy bear that you sleep with every night. As you were driving your parents said this wasn’t a day trip; you were moving into a room with a stranger for an entire year. You would be working hard on your studies all year with fellow students your age. They told you that your teachers preferred to be called “professors.” They also mentioned that you would only be coming home a few times a year. If you are reading this, I am sure you’ve guessed it: college.
Going to college is one of the biggest challenges that many teens face due to the amount of changes that one goes through when entering this new environment. If you’re currently a freshman in college I am sure you can relate to me. Personally, I am still trying to find my way. Between balancing my studies and my friend group, it can be incredibly stressful. I asked some freshman that go to my college what they felt like has been the greatest challenge when it comes to adjusting to college. Below I wrote down what they said and some tips of mine to make this transition easier.
“I am struggling the most with adjusting to a new schedule. In high school I was on the same daily schedule for four years.” One thing that is saving me from feeling like there is not enough time in a day is my weekly planned out whiteboard. I highly recommend that if you are in college you buy one and make a to-do list every single day. My whiteboard is big enough that I can write down everything I want to get done every single day of the upcoming week. I sit down every Sunday night and plan out the week. Even if I haven’t received every single assignment I have for the week, it still gives me an idea of what my schedule is going to be like.
“The classes here are way harder. I didn’t study enough for my first test and now my grades aren’t as good as they should be.” In college you quickly learn that you have to study a lot more than you did in high school. If you fail a test the best thing that you can do is not let your emotions get the best of you. Instead of beating yourself up about it, talk to your professor. One thing a lot of college students forget is that your professors want you to succeed. Go to your professor’s office and ask them about the questions you didn’t get right on the test. They will be more than happy to help you. You live and you learn, as cliché as that is. Just accept the fact that you need to put in many hours of studying. Even if you know most of the information, study. There is no such thing as studying too much.
“I feel like everyone has a boyfriend/girlfriend but me.” First of all, this is not true. Many people are single and feel this way. Don't stress about it. The last thing you want to do is force yourself to like someone just to say that you have someone. Give it time. You’re a freshman! There is a huge chance that you’re going to meet someone special within the next four years. If you think you already have, don’t rush it. You have four years to get to know this person. There is no point in rushing.
“Not having my parents there for everything.” This is a tough one. I get it. You saw your parents every single day for the last 18 years. They were there for every sports game, first days of school, and birthdays. College has forced me to accept the fact that I’m going to be homesick some days more than others. Keep in touch with your parents. They’re working hard to make sure you can stay in college. Even if it’s a simple good morning text or a cute emoji, send it. An important saying to understand: “Love your parents. We are so busy growing up, we often forget that they are also growing old.”
“I’ve been struggling with being surrounded by new people. I constantly feel the stress of having to make new friends.” Every freshman is dealing with this. Something I quickly learned this first semester is that you have to put yourself out there. Try eating lunch with someone new every day. Sign up for any club that sounds like it may be interesting; the worst thing that could happen is you realize the club isn’t for you. Try talking to someone new in your class. Be nice to everyone. If you don’t take the risk of talking to someone you could see yourself getting close with, you’ll never know what could have happened.
“I don’t like my roommate and he doesn’t know. He blasts music and leaves all of the lights on when I want to sleep.” I am starting to notice that it is more common for roommates to coexist rather than be best friends. That is perfectly normal. If your roommate is doing something that bothers you, like leaving the lights on when you want to sleep, then nicely tell them to stop. Express calmly that it upsets you; the last thing you want to do is be rude about it because then you spend the rest of the year wasting so much time and energy hating them. Plus, it’s just awkward. If they continue the behavior after speaking to them then let your RA know. They will make sure it stops.
I would like to say that I am still learning. I am still adjusting to this new life. I have many days that are just hard. I am still figuring everything out. Even though I don’t have everything figured out I do know that this all takes time. Day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute, second by second. One assignment, essay, book, exam, meal, party, movie night, and quiz a time.
