Being a freshman in college was one of the scariest experiences I went through. I couldn't believe how different life was away from the structure and security of home. Planning and getting ready to enter college was also a struggle because I had no idea what I was getting myself into. You go throughout elementary school, middle school, and high school knowing what to expect each year, however, when going to college it is a completely different ballpark. Just like every 18-year-old I had expectations of what it was going to be like, some of which were true and others not so much. However, now that I am beginning my senior year I have noticed that I have learned a lot from my experience of being a freshman.
I decided to go into Montclair undeclared because I didn't want to study something that I wasn't sure I'd enjoy. I chose classes at times that I thought would fit best and decided to go on from there. Turns out choosing at 7:00 am history class isn't such a good idea and night classes weren't all that bad. However, classes were tough, more so than I had imagined and there were times that I felt like I had no idea what I was doing. Homework took hours because you had to actually apply yourself to understand any of the material. Taking notes is essential and it is very hard to sort the important information from the "not worth writing down" information and studying, you ask? What's that? I never did that. Well, this is college and you kind of have to study until you get sick of the material and unfortunately procrastination and I are best friends. I learned that in order for me to effectively get work done I have to lock myself in a room free of distractions because everything and anything grabs my attention.
Other than the issues with classes there was the issue of having a social life. Making friends is easy when you see the same people every day for the past 10+ years but when being thrown into a new place away from home with people you have never met can bring on feelings of anxiety and fear. However, when this happens it forces you out of your comfort zone and you're able to find joy in different experiences that you never thought you would. Finding your home away from home is ideally what every college student wants to do and for me, that was joining a sorority. I was able to meet girls that like and dislike the same things as I do, essentially creating my new home. However, this is not something I would have ever known had I not been pushed out of my comfort zone.
I will never take another home cooked meal for granted after eating food from Montclair for days straight. I could not believe the lack of taste and fulfillment I received from eating food that had not been prepared by someone I had enjoyed. The first few days it's wasn't so bad but then after weeks of eating it, I could not do it anymore. I pleaded and begged my mom to make me enough food to at least last me three days out of the week so it can satisfy the longing I had for a good home cooked meal (thanks, mom!). This then allowed me to appreciate all the home cooked meals, so much so, that when I went home I stuffed my face with whatever was for dinner. Talk about freshman 15!
My advice to you is try whatever interests you and don't be discouraged when the going gets tough because despite all the bad situations, good results always follows. Being away from home allowed me to find more of myself and helped me understand life through a different perspective. Going into my senior year I am so grateful to have made all the mistakes, cried all the tears, and laughed all the laughs because all of those moments have lead me here and I cannot wait to see what my final year at Montclair State holds for me!
