The entirety of my secondary school life was spent dreaming about how great my college life was going to be. New friends, frequent nights out, and studying the course I’ve wanted since I was 16. What could possibly ruin that dream? Me. Oops.
I’m going to explain how much I hated college in Semester 1. But fear not, I’m also going to tell you how not to end up like me and make college the best it can possibly be.
My first college event was mildly traumatic. It was a college accommodation ‘block party’, where we were expected to socialize while drinking cans. Amazing, right? Wrong. First of all, I F*@#ing hate beer. Secondly, I was too afraid to talk to anybody. Here is where I mention my crippling anxiety. I am terrified of talking to new people and so my two friends and I spent the evening in one of their rooms. What a great start to my college life.
Lectures began soon after and we were forced to do those awful ice breaker games (my idea of hell). As the weeks went on, I wasn’t making friends because of how anxious I was. To keep things short, I cried like 98 percent of the time because I was worried about making friends. I did make friends eventually, but I kept overthinking and worrying that I was bothering them. I’m the worst.
I was also afraid to try new things. I am intimidated very easily, so you can imagine how uncomfortable I felt at Media Production Society (MPS) events, where everyone was outgoing and talented and then there was me.
So, now you’re wondering how I learned to love DCU.
Last semester, I started keeping a journal. I wrote about my interesting days, my boring days, my shitty days, and my good days. In hindsight, I thought this would be a good way to look back on my college days. Oh, Neasa. How wrong you were.
My journal entries were not helping with how unhappy I was. So, I stopped writing about my crap days. If I were to offer anyone advice, it would be to NOT write in your journal about your terrible experiences in college because unfortunately, the bad experiences will then drown out the good.
I came back to college in January with a completely different mindset. I told myself that I had to make an effort. I wasn’t going to let my fear destroy me. I was going to make friends. I was going to enjoy myself. I was determined.
If you can relate to any of my problems, then listen up. As cliché as it sounds, everyone is in the same boat when it comes to making friends. Some people are more outgoing than others, and that’s okay. All you have to do is say “hi” to the girl sitting next to you and she will be relieved that someone actually spoke to her. She could be your new best friend (think of how lit your prinks would be!).
Take lots of photos from nights out, or even nights in. Nothing makes me happier than looking at physical representations of good memories. This is also a good way to make yourself feel more at home in your college room. Photographs personalise the room and make you feel at ease.
As much as it pains me to say this, get involved with things. It took me a while but here I am writing for Her Campus, I have a great group of friends in college, and I have my own radio show on a Tuesday. I never thought I’d even make it past the block party.
If I can do it, so can you.
Thumbnail by Baim Hanif