My first semester of college was a whirlwind of deadlines, new experiences, and lots of living on my own. Coming from a prestigious high school that stressed college preparation, I assumed the transition from high school to college would be easy. For various reasons that included my cocky attitude about college, it was not nearly as seamless as I had assumed.
First off, I desperately missed my friends. It seems as though once every few articles I write I mention how much I miss my friends, but the truth is I didn't get enough time with them in high school. My friend making phase happened quickly and late, which left me with far less time devoted to my friends than I would have liked. Welcome week was a great opportunity for me to make many friends on my own campus and I took advantage of these opportunities. I had a solid group of people I loved being around and was barely missing my friends. However, by week two or three into the semester I was already wanting to see my friends and was messaging many of them because I missed them so much.
Second, I was not prepared for just how independent the school part was. Brebeuf prepared me beautifully for the work itself, but could only do so much to show me what kind of time I was going to have to myself. By one o'clock on Friday I was done whereas at Brebeuf I had my break and the blocks of allotted free time. This different structure felt odd and at first I didn't know whether to do all my homework, bask in the free time wth Netflix, work out, or do something entirely different. In addition to the copious amounts of free time, the lack of repeating deadlines felt very weird to me. I remember my high school teachers repeating when assignments were due numerous times whereas professors would mention deadlines a couple of times at maximum and gave all the responsibility to the students. This practice by professors proves that just as great power comes with great responsibility, great responsibility comes with great power. I learned that this power may be used wisely, such as doing things long beforehand, or it may be used unwisely, such as doing the assignment two or one day prior.
Thirdly, I was not prepared for the general sense of not having a set of rules set by my parents. When I was living at home I had a set bedtime, some dietary guidelines, times I could not be out, and other various rules. At college if I want to stay up until 4 o'clock in the morning when I need to wake up at seven thirty, I can do that. If I want to eat fries for dinner, I have that power. If I hang out until one in the morning with my friends I don't get in trouble. At first all of these possibilities freaked me out a little because I was used to having a set structure. However, as time went on I started staying up until I wanted to go to bed, I ate lots of fries at dinner every night, and I sometimes hung out with friends until early hours of the morning.
The transitions I have made from my life as a high-schooler to a college student have not always been easy, but they've been helpful for me in the long term. These decisions are what will help me build routines and a lifestyle for when I have to be an adult and pay bills and be my own person. While some of these transitions may seem weird, they're worth it for the long term growth they'll bring me.
