If somebody were to ask me, “What is the one thing you’ve heard repeatedly throughout college?” I would say it is that silly saying that doesn’t mean any harm: “Enjoy it, it goes by so fast.” And honestly, that was something I didn’t really like hearing.
You’re only about a third of the way through your first semester. Maybe you’re still figuring out where your classes are (especially if you have a class in Holt), trying to come up with new food ideas at the dining hall, or wondering how you can befriend the girl next to you.
By now, you’ve been going to class, going back to your dorm or apartment, repeating the same routine everyday. I remember when I first started college I felt like I was supposed to immediately become this independent version of myself. But realistically you do not have to have college figured out yet. In fact, the first year is the perfect time to be a little uncomfortable with yourself, try things you normally wouldn’t do and figure out what actually makes you happy. As a current third year student now, and if there’s anything I wish I could tell my freshman year self, it’s this: stop waiting around and do it yourself.
 Go to a Club Alone
I know sometimes walking into a room where you don’t know anyone can be so, so terrifying. But if there’s a club you’ve been thinking about joining, just go. If a club required you to have a friend to come with you, many wouldn’t go. The point of a club is that people are there because they share an interest and want to be around like-minded people. That automatically gives you something to talk about.
You might feel awkward for the first five or ten minutes but that doesn’t mean you made a wrong decision. Introduce yourself. Even if you don’t become best friends, you should feel so proud of yourself for putting yourself out there.
Try a WREC Class
If you’ve been walking past the WREC and thinking about trying one of their classes, this is your sign. Go to Pilates. Try a Spin class. Find out if you enjoy Dance Fit. Take that class even if you have to walk in by yourself. The beautiful thing about these classes is that you don’t have to be an expert, and you definitely don’t have to look like you know what you’re doing. Truth is everyone is going to be at different experience levels.
Trying these different classes is such a perfect way to find something new to add to your college routine. Freshman year is the perfect time for you to discover what your thing is even if you don’t like it, either way you tried something new.
Stop waiting for the “right time”
If you’re waiting until you feel completely confident to start putting yourself out there, you’ll probably be waiting for a while. I wish I could tell my freshman year self that my confidence won’t come before I do something but sometimes (or in my case majority of the time) it comes after. You might feel nervous walking into a club alone. You might overthink talking to the person next to you. You might feel awkward going to your first workout class alone. But do it anyway.
Your freshman year isn’t about having the perfect friend group, knowing exactly what you want to major in or having your whole life planned out. It’s about giving yourself opportunities to discover who you really are and what you like. Go to that club meeting. Talk to your group partners. Try that new workout routine you saw. Find a new study spot. And if you think any of that isn’t for you? That is okay too.
The importance of college is to try. You have an entire college experience ahead of you. Don’t spend it waiting for someone else to make you feel comfortable.
