Beginning a new chapter in an unfamiliar environment can seem very scary. I became stressed whenever the thought of entering college came to mind. Would I be able to find my classes? What if I got lost? Would I make any new friends? All of these questions and would make me nervous, rather than excited. However, as move-in day grew closer, I began to accept the fact that I’m going to be a college freshman; and I’m ready to take it on.
Typically, the mentality of an incoming freshman consists of being nervous, doubtful, and excited. The combination of these emotions building up since the moment you step off the podium at high school graduation. However, you may feel as though you’re the only one feeling distraught rather than feeling the excitement others show, and believe me, you are not the only one. Many people can come off as confident, but there are definitely people out there who feel the exact same way as you. Fear. Stress. Anxiety. After going through Welcome Week and attending the events, I became more comfortable with the college lifestyle and have gotten into the groove of things. The first week of college has blown by quickly, and being away from family isn’t as big of a deal as it was when I first slept in the dorms after moving in. You will get into a constant rhythm of going through the day, and find that those mixed feelings begin to melt away and instead, you begin to feel at ease.
Here are some tips that I would have wanted to know before coming to college:
- Be Who You Are
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Loving yourself will always be something that everyone is working on, but the first step is not to be so self-conscious and to just be yourself. Show off what you like. Don’t be embarrassed, but rather be proud of the things you enjoy. Everyone is so focused on achieving their goals and on their own lives, there really isn’t time to judge others.
- Be Open to New Experiences
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When you come to college, there are definitely moments where you will have to get out of your comfort zone. Try new activities and get involved! It is another way to meet more people and make new friends who share similar interests as you.
- Don’t Be Afraid to Talk to Upperclassmen
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While it may seem intimidating to talk to someone who is older and seems more mature, they often provide better insight on the questions you have and are more than willing to help you out.
- It’s Okay to Feel as Though You Don’t Fit in or That You’re Out of Place
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You may see others automatically clicking with one another, and wonder why you can’t really relate to that. Time and patience will handle it and friends will come naturally. Don’t try to force yourself into a friend group that you know you won’t enjoy. I have noticed that it is easier making friends in your classes. Ask for your classmates’ social media and numbers, so you can form study groups and help each other. This will be beneficial throughout the next few years because you will most likely see some of the same faces in classes and clubs. Making these connections earlier on will make life easier in the future.
- Try Not to Rely Too Much on Family (if they live close by)
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If you keep visiting your family or staying at home instead of the dorms, it’ll be harder to adapt to living independently. Along with that, make sure to take care of yourself and set aside time for you to do activities you like. Better to start sooner than later!
- Learn to Build a Strong Mindset
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It’s okay to enter a new surrounding and not know what to expect. It’s a learning process that continues for the rest of your life, as there will always be new obstacles to maneuver through.
- Time Management
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This is a big one! Since we don’t have our parents around to keep our life organized, make sure to have some sort of planner to ensure that assignments are completed on time, and so you know when there are meetings scheduled
And just remember to take a deep breath, reset your perspective on the issue you’re facing, and in the end, everything will be okay.