Freshman year move-in day—what a day to remember… Right? Many of us remember move-in day like it was yesterday. So many new emotions, people, and experiences have yet to come. College has a huge way of bringing out the best version of yourself. Sometimes you don’t even realize the identity shift that comes as students begin to navigate college, exploring newfound independence, environments, evolving social roles, and the pressures of the new level of academics.
Most first-time freshmen are around 18 years old, just entering young adulthood. Eighteen is a pretty confusing age, though. Especially while trying to navigate through this jungle called college that you’ve just been thrown into. The shift quite literally begins the moment your parents leave you alone in your dorm room to get to know your roommate and get used to your new life. No matter the distance between you and your family, trust that it will be a part of the reason you first begin to see changes within your identity. College tends to push strangers together, creating lifelong friendships that seem like a newfound family in a strange new place.
Being exposed to different cultures, different ways of living, beliefs, and even perspectives also has a huge impact on the identity shift taking place. The way your parents raised you as a child will always stick with you, as it does with most people. The only problem with that is that everyone was not raised the same… at all. College not only offers a huge change in your identity but also a huge change in friends and those that you keep around. New friends will allow for new perspectives and ways of thinking that never originally made sense to you as an adolescent, as well as teaching you how to navigate new friendships. From late-night talks with friends to early morning 8 a.m. classes, you will be given so many perspectives that you won’t know what to do with them. You are the one to decide what you will take from these friendships. Being surrounded by new differences may leave those around you shocked, but to grow, you must embrace the discomfort of it all.
The independence that comes with being in college is kind of crazy. It makes you really think about being considered an adult at the ripe age of eighteen… Scary to think about, isn’t it? This independence allows you to make the decision that you may or may not stick with for the rest of your life: choosing a major/career. This is usually chosen during high school, but imagine getting into your major courses and then not feeling the major align with you, your beliefs, and personality. Then what? Another change… Now what do you do? How do you find something that aligns with your beliefs and personality when you’re not too sure of your new beliefs and personality? You will! You’re young, and you won’t have everything figured out at this moment. Start with what you know, your passions. Experiment, seek guidance, constantly reflect on how you feel about everything happening, and never stop exploring the world around you. Make it your own. Find your strengths and weaknesses.
Going back home to visit family and friends will have you seeing the shift within yourself that you didn’t see while away at school. Your parents will notice, and they may or may not mention it. You seem older, more mature… Yet you’re still their baby. To your friends, you’re still the 17-year-old who just graduated high school a couple of months ago. Some will accept the change that comes with the new you, and some will seem confused and may lean away from you. Luckily, you’ve learned to adapt to moving on from others while away at school, right? Being home seems like such a small world to you now. The realization will finally hit; you’re no longer that “17-year-old from a couple months ago.” You’re not even done changing and becoming you just yet; this is only the beginning of the best you’ll be. The most successful, the most loving, and the most motivated you. Somewhere in between “who you were” and “who you’re becoming.”
College didn’t change you as many will say or think… It just exposed the real you. Remember to embrace the new you. The new you won’t stand for the same things as the old you did. You’ll be walking across campus, seeing just how much more confident you are in your new self, and you have every right to be. You’ve lost and gained friends, navigated through your first semester of college, gained some independence, and set boundaries for yourself. With both the new and old versions, you will thank you for your sacrifices. Don’t let this shift worry you; you’re doing great, and you’ll be fine. Trust me, I learned the hard way!