Congratulations, first year college students! You made it through one whole semester, and maybe it was everything you dreamed of, but if you were like me your grades certainly weren’t straight As and your friend group isn’t as big as you’d planned.
I tried to be very smart about picking my university: I factored in tuition costs, proximity to home, and reputation of institutions. I ended up picking a big state university. All of my costs were covered, I was going to live in one of the nicest dorms, and my schedule was gorgeous.
My first mistake was thinking that because I was staying in-state some of my high school friends would tag along. They all ended up going to the other state university, and I was left to find a roommate and go through welcome week all by myself.
By the end of my first semester, my GPA was lower than I wanted, and I only had two friends. I found myself pretty lonely and wishing I had done things differently. Did I make the right choice staying in-state? Should I have gone where my friends went? Should I transfer?
I loved my school, but I couldn’t help but feeling like I was rushed into picking a school. After talking to my friends from home, I learned that they were all questioning their choices, too. Instead of retreating and going to a new school altogether, I decided to go back to the drawing board and work to make my experience better.
I joined a sorority first semester, but I didn’t really take it seriously. It was just events I went to and if I didn’t feel like going, I didn’t go. My second semester I tried to take advantage of all of the sisterhood events and get more involved. It was there that I met two more friends: one of which is my roommate and girl soulmate.
Second, I got a job. People told me that having a job in college was academic suicide, but it kept me busy and gave me a lot of talking points. I also had money in the bank which let me go more places and hang out with more people.
Then, I changed my major. I started to realize that my grades weren’t a result of laziness, but a result of not loving the material I was learning. I changed lanes completely, and now I am so much more involved in my classes.
Being an incoming freshman, especially one who isn’t an extrovert made my first semester iffy, but sticking it out second semester, joining and actively participating in extracurricular activities, and just putting myself out there really helped. The best advice I can give to someone who’s thinking about transferring after their first semester is that when you have the opportunity, don’t think, just do. You’re sure to find a place in the big world of college.
