To all those going into their first year of college: congratulations, you've made it. While this may seem like a fantastical adventure, let me remind you that your parents are liars. All adults who’ve attended college are for that matter. It isn’t because they’re trying to lead you astray. On the contrary, they are trying to get you revved up for adulthood so that you can walk in confidently. The fact is, people usually remember the highlight reel; no one ever remembers the day to day grind. Here is a more honest breakdown of the freshman experience.
Yes, freshman year is a year full of development, the likes of which you have never seen before. Not only are you living independently, you are surrounded by people who, thus far, only share your taste in colleges. It is a different world from the one you grew up in; one where you are treated like an adult— even if sometimes you don’t act like one— and have adult peers. You will be exposed to brand new situations, ideas, habits, and relationships.
But, there are growing pains. At some point you will realize you are doing a hundred new things a day, you are growing and changing rapidly, and you do not yet have a solid support system when you falter. For this reason, Freshman year is lonely. All of your new friends don’t share your history or know your story. They can only be so supportive of you while they themselves undergo the same changes. Expect that.
Yes, college is going to be so fun. You can actually do what ever you would like. You will see people... utilizing that fact: puking in the halls on a Friday afternoon or streaking at will. I am not condoning anarchy. However, realizing that this is a facet of college is the most surreal part of being there. Everyday you have the choice of going to class, eating that extra slice of cake, staying up until 3 a.m. partying, or road tripping with friends to another state.
But, the initial novelty of choice eventually wears off. You will wake up one Sunday afternoon with a wrathful hangover, a paper to write, and the realization that you may choose to shirk responsibilities but you cannot make them disappear.
Yes, college is nothing like high school. College classes set a bar for you that you cannot yet reach. Few classes hand out concrete rubrics for what makes a good paper. Lab work hits the ground sprinting. Professors expect you to read hundreds of pages a week. It takes an unprecedented amount of time to adapt to the pace and structure of classes. The learning curve can be steep. Furthermore, the time that you are not in class usually has to be spent doing things for class. Your time management skills will fall apart when the ratio of class hours to study hours is 1:3, your friends are playing outside at all times, and you’re always tired
But, you will figure it out. The first few months of college are trial and error for everyone. Eventually you will work out how to prioritize your time and work with your learning style in this new environment.
Yes, you will gain weight. I know zero people who did not gain a pound or two their first year. It happens when you’re stressed, you’re tired, you’re eating grease, and you’re regularly drinking… juice. Surprise— you will be a combination of the above at all times. The freshman 15 may sound gratuitous but it is not unfounded.
But, you’re only a freshman once, Y.O.F.O. Consider college weight gain as perhaps another form of personal growth.
What people forget to mention while raving about college is that college is still life. They both will have natural highs and lows. College is wonderful, but it isn’t your personal Eden.
