Moving into college is intimidating. You are leaving everything and everyone you know to start fresh. Hence the term: freshman. Living with total strangers and having your own responsibilities is the start to the next four years of your life. This can either be scary or exciting. For me, it was both. I learned many lessons at college already. The past four months set the precedent for the rest of my college experience. I will pass on the lessons I have learned to the incoming freshman in this upcoming year.
“Don’t count the minutes, count the laughs.”
Sometimes it is easier to dwell on the goodbyes and harder to look forward to the new and thrilling matters. The first two weeks of college are stressful— I will not sugar coat that. Trying to fit in and make friends is frightening. Time moves so slowly. Rather than focusing on the time that is passing, focus on the interesting and enjoyable opportunities that your college has to offer. Sooner than you think, you will be wishing for those first moments back and desiring that it did not go by so fast.
“Just because something isn’t happening for you right now doesn’t mean that it never will.”
Going from a big fish in a little pond at high school to just a number at Rutgers is a shock. Wanting things to happen right away becomes something of your wildest dreams. Opportunities aren’t always immediate; they take time. In moments of rejection, keep telling yourself that it is not the end of the world and there are more things out there. Doors will open if you look inward and find other interests. When you do this, opportunities will come. Just remember to be patient and never stop trying. You have many talents and are capable of anything.
“This too shall pass.”
Of course when starting college, everyone is waiting for when they experience the dreaded feeling of being homesick. No one ever wants this to happen, but it does. Feeling homesick is bound to occur, because everyone is human. Just remember that nothing is permanent and tough times will soon turn into great times.
“You don’t have to have it all figured out to move forward.”
Going into college, there are a lot of expectations. You are expected to have a ten-year plan and follow exactly that. High school makes you think this. The reality is that you are allowed to change your mind and keep updating your plan. Everything will fall into place. College is a time to experience it all and figure out who you truly are. It is okay to change your major a few times and experiment with new interests. Get out there while you can, because it will fly by fast.
“Friends become our chosen family.”
With the absence of your real family at college, it is important to form strong friendships and have people in your life that you can rely on. These friends from college will stick around for years— being in your life way after graduation. They are your family. Having family dinners, vent sessions, and making plans eases the transition. Not only this, but these are the memories that you will remember forever.
All in all, college is an emotional rollercoaster. It encompasses all of the feelings of happiness, anxiousness, and nervousness. Rather than letting these emotions get you down, embrace them!! This is an experience that you will never forget!
