Everyone tells you that college is going to be the best 4 years of your life, but what happens when you’re disappointed after only your first year? What if it’s not everything you expected it to be?
If you didn’t enjoy your first year of college, you’re not alone. I remember thinking there was something was wrong with me because my freshman year was not living up to my grand expectation. The perfect college experience I had dreamed about for years did not happen my freshman year. In fact, I hated my freshman year.
As the year progressed, all I wanted to do was go home, and I escaped campus whenever I had the chance. I had nothing that brought me excitement or happiness at college. I had no real friends, despite trying my best to make some, and then finally giving up. I didn’t know how to manage my work and was stressed out constantly. I felt like I was always drowning in work I didn’t understand and didn’t enjoy, and I nearly failed my biology and chemistry classes.
“This is college?” I remember thinking to myself. “How do people enjoy this?”
The idea of transferring popped up in my mind multiple times. I lied to my family when they asked how college, telling them I loved it. It’s what they expected to hear, and I didn’t want to disappoint them.
My story may or may not sound similar to yours. There are many reasons why freshman year may not have lived up to your grand expectations, and there are many things you can do to change that.
So what can you do when you haven’t found happiness at college? Well, you could do nothing. You could replay the less than ideal year over again and hopefully get through the next few years. That would be the easiest option, but please please take my advice and do not do this. Where’s the joy in simply getting through the college experience. You have this incredible ability to change how you go about college life. It may be hard, or scary at first, but what great story ever began with something easy?
Be the change.
Your first step is to figure out what made you unhappy. For me, I was unhappy because I didn’t make friends, didn’t enjoy my classes, was in an unhealthy relationship, was very stressed, and didn’t feel the school pride and community I wanted to feel. Quite the list, right?
Your next step is to make a game plan. How are you going to change these things? At the start of sophomore year, I made the decision to put myself out there. I joined clubs and made an effort to connect with lots of people.
I finally found my friend group and now I couldn’t imagine my life without the amazing people I’ve met! I also changed my major to something I’m passionate about. I love learning and going to class and I get excited thinking about my future in my new field. I left my unhealthy relationship, which relieved a lot of stress, leading to improved grades and overall happiness. With me being happier and more involved in campus life, I grew to love my school and see it as my home. I no longer wanted to go home every weekend because I was home!
It’s sad to think I wanted to transfer schools just because I got off on the wrong foot. I’m glad I didn’t take the easy way out. I problem solved, made a game plan, and created my own happiness and love for my college.
Don’t get discouraged if you weren’t in love with college life after your first year, or even after your second or third year. You have at least 4 years to get it right! You always have the opportunity to make a change. It just takes a little work. So go for it - switch your living situation, join clubs, start a new sport, make friends, or change your major. Take advantage of everything college has to offer and don’t settle for another year of disappointment.
