This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Amherst chapter.
A little background information about me: I go to Amherst College; I am (or was) a sheltered Southern girl from Louisiana. My first time flying was for the Summer Science and Humanities program here. I knew no one here before going to the summer program.
BUT. I was excited to go someplace “strange” and unfamiliar, as well as meet new people, see new things. I did not have a culture shock at all. It was not until I actually got here that I realized being a freshman still had its drawbacks and pre-dispositions as in high school. I did not let any of it get me down though! I had some good times and some bad ones, but through it all, I enjoyed my first year experience.
- EXPLORE. Figure out what you are really passionate about by doing extracurricular activities and going to events.
- CHALLENGE YOURSELF. I have learned that nothing truly great comes from comfort zones. Get out and try something that challenges you, forces you to face your fears or be a little more social, go to events you would not normally go to (unless it goes against your morals then I would recommend steering clear). In addition, if someone tells you that you cannot do something or that they do not think that you can do something that you believe that you have the ability and/or experience to do, make it happen. Do not let anyone place limits upon you and your capabilities.
- DO STUFF. You only have four years. This year passed by so fast for me, but I have done and experienced so much that I feel that this has been a very productive and exciting year for me and my personal growth. I never thought in a million years that I would have gone rock climbing, salsa dancing (and be a pro at it), or visit New York—but I did.
- DO NOT FRET over grades. I had a problem with perfectionism my first semester, and it was only this semester that I realized it is not the end result or product, but the process that truly matters. I felt the result of this after I co-choreographed a belly dance and realized that though I was happy with the final result, I was sad that the journey had ended. So enjoy the process in whatever you do rather than always work towards a certain result
- TAKE TIME TO ENJOY your surroundings and get to know the people around you. Sometimes you are so focused—or at least I was—on work and things you want to do that you forget to spend time with those you had become acquainted with beforehand. It was only this semester that I realized this, as well as making time for myself.
- ASK QUESTIONS. The only dumb questions are the ones unasked.
- BE YOURSELF. What people think about you does not matter; in the end, it only matters what you think about you. I look at myself, with or without a zit, after a workout, after eating 5 chocolate bars back to back and say to myself, “Dang you are fabulous!” Even when at times I do not think so highly of myself, I literally just get over it because I know, whether I can always see my own beauty or not, that I am beautiful (inside and out), and all that really matters is my personality, which is darn charming if I say so myself.
- DO NOT SUCCUMB TO PEER PRESSURE. This goes back to number 7, but rather not only be yourself, but stay true to yourself. If you don’t smoke, don’t smoke. If you don’t drink, don’t drink. If you go to a party where everyone is making out or looking to hookup and you are not into that, leave. Forget what anyone else thinks. You need to do what is best for you, and trust me, it is the right choice in the end.
- REALIZE that you do not need a companion to go sightseeing or eat out. Go treat yourself to a restaurant, go to a party by yourself (if feel safe that is), or go for a walk, a run, go the gym BY YOURSELF. It is okay go someplace public with you, yourself, and you.
- IF YOU ARE A CHRISTIAN, understand that you will make mistakes, and let no one make you feel bad about that because frankly, they are no better. Confess to God, pray forgiveness, and do better, and remember to always keep God first in whatever you do. When you are in need of anything: a Counselor, a Protector, an Advisor, a Father, a Mother, a Friend…He is your everything. Remember that. Constantly, pray, for prayer is simply a conversation with God; it makes everything you will deal with throughout that day much more bearable. Take it from someone who has experienced God’s grace and mercy for herself; do not under any circumstance, force yourself to believe that God has abandoned you; college has its ways of implementing these thoughts in your mind, but if you remain faithful, He will reveal so much to you, and you will be all the wiser (literally). To help, remember what God has brought you from in the past. I have a prayer book in which I have written down prayers and then spoken them to God, and I made a mark when every prayer was answered. I also have a journal so that I know what God has brought me to and from throughout college.
I hope these were helpful, and have a wonderful summer!