All in all, going into our freshman year of college was a transition. Some people adapted so easily it was as if they had been prepared for it their entire lives. For others, the adjustment period not only took a lot longer than expected, but feels as if it never really ended.
Despite it being mid-summer, there are already some justifiable nerves for those who didn’t have this life-changing freshman year experience, in which they learned about themselves and changed in ways that gave them the best school year they’ve ever known. If you are one of these people, know that this is a real feeling, and you’re most definitely not alone. If you find yourself completely unaware that this feeling could even exist, then here are some things you should know about your peers who are a bit more wary of the upcoming school year.
They are nervous about leaving home again.
This time last year they had some nerves thinking about saying goodbye to their parents, siblings, and pets, but they never imagined they would be brought near to tears for the first few weeks because they felt so out of place without the people they shared a home with for the previous 18 or so years. Especially for those who believed they would never fall under the debilitating spell of homesickness, the feeling that a large part of them was constantly missing had such an impact that they are dreading even the possibility of that feeling coming back. If you meet anyone who admits to frequent homesickness, be sure to share some of your own remedies that can get them feeling like they can be happy in their new home away from home.
They are nervous about their grades.
Aside from the great experiences forged with new friends, college also asks you to put 110 percent into your academics so that you achieve high grades. Whether due to a combination of factors or not, those who found it difficult to achieve as high grades as they had hoped or were used to are nervous that they will lose confidence in their ability to perform inside the classroom. Sometimes grades seem to be everything, and when students feel that they are not up to par, it can make a serious impact on their lives as college students. When you see someone who looks somewhat overwhelmed or exhausted, be sure to at least send an encouraging nod and smile their way, because it can definitely put some relief into their busy mind.
They are nervous about their social life.
Going to a college ten times the size of your high school can make you feel like a little fish in a very large, unwelcoming pond. Especially for those who are shy, it can be very difficult to branch out of your comfort zone and open yourself up to people you’ve never met before. You can walk by people who share the same hobbies or interests as you and never know it. Those who felt that they didn’t make any real friendships their freshman year of college may find themselves nervous to go back to a place where they aren’t really sure if they have anyone, should they need a shoulder to lean on. This can make going back to school seem a bit more intimidating than usual, which is all the more reason to always remember to smile at everyone you pass by on campus.
They are nervous about their living situation.
Roommates can be tough. Whether or not you’ve shared a room with anyone before going to college, adjusting to living with a complete stranger or someone you know outside of a living arrangement can be difficult for both parties. Even though some people wrote on social media about how they had become best of friends with their roommate, those who found themselves constantly at odds with their roommates may be nervous that they may have to go through that all over again. If you find yourself in the situation of having a random roommate again, and your last one didn’t work out so well, try to find some common ground before school begins so you know what you’re getting into. If you feel that once again things won’t work out, at least you will know ahead of time so that alternative arrangements might be made. If you had this experience in the past and came to terms with it, be sure to offer some advice about how they can handle this situation, because they are most likely as frustrated and concerned as you once were.
They are nervous about “trying again.”
Since everyone’s college experience is different, there are many causes as to why some students may feel reluctant to go back to a place that didn’t give them “the best year of their life.” When summer began and school let out, they decided to shut out everything about their freshman year and focus on the next year ahead. Now that summer is approaching the final stretch, they know it’s inevitable that they will soon be back at school, facing old fears and people that may have given them the indication that their university wasn’t the right one for them. You must understand their courage in deciding to go back to a school that wasn’t what they had hoped it would be, because it’s exactly what you would do if you were in the same position. They’re giving it another shot, however, and you should be grateful for that, because they might be your best friends for life waiting to meet you.
At the end of the day, we’re all in this together. We’re all students spending hours in the library, making full use of our monthly Netflix accounts, walking to class rain or shine, and making memories with people who take us to the most special places our hearts have ever known. Even if times were tough for you in your first year, it’s really important to find comfort in the fact that other people felt this way too. It’s all part of the college experience, I promise. So whether you had the best or worst freshman year of college, there is no reason to sweat mid-summer. Soon enough you’ll find that you’re exactly where you’re meant to be.
