There is an undeniable luster to the famous “Freshman Year.” Almost every American teenager has some fantasy of the year they finally get to re-invent themselves, get away from home, and embark on this wonderful adult adventure.
Freshman Year gets a lot of hype, and rightfully so! It can be one of the most pivotal moments of your life. But underneath all of those glamorous anticipations of your “college experience” lie some unpleasant realities. Your Freshman year could very likely be the most wonderful year of your life, but just make sure you’re aware of these potential hiccups.
1. You might get terrifyingly lost.
I don’t just mean that your orientation-issued campus map will lead into the wrong classroom on the first day (Really, that probably won’t happen at all). I mean that you might lose your entire handle on what you want to do with your life, and if you do, it will probably be really scary. If you and your entire family have anticipated your future as a brain surgeon since birth, it’s not going to be pretty if you take a few biology classes and realize you couldn’t possibly bear to do this for the rest of your life. It might be especially hard to tell your parents that you want to major in art instead of biology. It’s intimidating, but it’s really not the end of the world. College does a really good job at expanding your mind and revealing to you what your true passions are. So if your career plans go a little haywire, don’t sweat.
2. You’ll get homesick.
I promise. No matter how long you’ve fantasized about this monumental moment of independence, and no matter how eager you are to shoo your parents away when you first move in—you’re going to miss them. Change is scary, and familiarity is very comfortable. If you cry your first night at school because you’re sleeping in a weird new place in the same room as someone you hardly know, that’s okay. Don’t be ashamed to admit that you’re homesick even if you insisted on attending school as far away from your hometown as possible. Just know that the feeling will pass and once you begin to settle in, your campus will feel like your second home.
3. You’re probably going to have to eat by yourself a few times.
College comes with the romantic promise that you’ll meet your group of lifelong friends. However, please don’t start school with the delusion that you’ll always be conveniently flanked by a group of friends as you walk across the quad or to class. College schedules can be chaotic, and chances are you’re not always going to be able to be accompanied by a friend when you want to go to grab a bite to eat. When that time comes (and it will!) don’t be afraid to go to the cafeteria by yourself. It’s good to be able to spend time by yourself, even in public. If the idea still freaks you out, you can multi-task and bring a book to read or catch up on your coursework. It might feel uncomfortable, but I promise, no one is staring at you. And if they are, they definitely think you’re mysterious and cool. So embrace it.
4. You can develop unhealthy eating habits.
Every incoming freshman has heard of the infamous “Freshman Fifteen.” It’s easy to be scared of gaining weight, but don’t let your concerns about your body image develop into unhealthy obsessions over exercise and calorie counting. If you’re hungry, eat. Even if you have to sit by yourself! (See point #3) Don’t just skip a meal because you couldn’t find someone to eat with, and nourish your body when it asks you to. Realistically though, make sure you don’t overdo it. The “Freshman Fifteen” isn’t just a cruel myth designed to terrify young girls into obsessing over their bodies, it’s a real thing that can happen, and it’s really easy to gain weight in school if you’re not conscious of what you’re eating. Stress eating is very, very tempting during finals week, so try not to fall victim to your body’s unhealthy urges. Eat when you’re hungry, but eat well. Eating healthily will benefit both your mood and your body, and if your school has a gym (and you have some miraculous free time) take full advantage. Exercise is great for relieving school stress, but again, make sure you’re exercising for your mental and physical health, and not for appearance and numbers.
5. Your mental health might take a serious hit.
College is challenging in all sorts of different ways! Some individuals excel academically, but struggle socially, and others have a great social life but have trouble maintaining their grades. Just be conscious of the way your stressors are impacting your mental health. If your text anxiety has developed into full-blown panic attacks before you enter your classroom, or if you can’t get out of bed because you’re convinced you have no future, you need to consider talking to someone. A lot of colleges offer counseling resources and even events designed to de-stress you, so take full advantage. College is not designed to put you through hell, even though it might seem like it occasionally. It’s easy obsess over the fine details of your transcript, but remember that a collection of numbers is not a measure of your character and worth. Remember that your academic performance is never more important than your physical and mental health.
