Going into my first year of college was both thrilling and anxiety-inducing. It was the start of something new and, naturally, I was incredibly nervous about it. This year has been a rollercoaster of emotions for me, as it probably was for everyone. Here’s how I got through those ups and downs of my freshman year of college.
Community
Entering such a strange place after 18 years of being a part of the same communities, I wanted to branch out and join groups of people that shared similar goals and motivations to mine. I joined the honors program and lived on the honors floor; I joined clubs that shared similar interests; I even almost joined the circus! I attended many different events and examined many different organizations to see where I could fit in. This was extremely helpful in finding my place here on campus, and now I truly feel a part of ISU. Even one of my classes in my very first semester helped me connect with other students and understand what the course dynamics can be like here. I am not the most active on campus, but all of the communities I’m a part of have helped me find comfort here.
Friends
Through the communities I was a part of, I met some amazing people that have become my close friends. I was most nervous about making friends in such an unfamiliar place, completely out of my comfort zone. Luckily, I made friends pretty immediately once I got to campus. From my next-door neighbors to my down-the-hall neighbors, I started hanging out with nearly everyone on my floor. Nine months later and we’re still great friends and we’re making plans for the summer. I even met my roommates that I know will be in my life forever. I have also met a lot of people in my classes that I know would help me with anything, even after our course is over. All of these connections have been an integral part of my emotional wellness here and I am so grateful to have all of them. After this year, it seems crazy that I was so stressed about something that ended up being nothing.
Self
I could say that these were solely responsible for my success this year, but I feel it’s important to give myself that honor. I have to pat myself on the back for going through the biggest change in my life and thriving through it. As much anxiety I had about going to college, I also had a ton of excitement about stepping out of my comfort zone and challenging myself with something new. My hatred for change was outweighed by my readiness to throw myself into a new environment after over a year of literally being stuck in one place, and years of feeling stuck where I was. I’m grateful for myself and my strength through this time. It wasn’t always perfect, but I have grown a lot through my time here and ultimately found my groove.
If you’re worried about going to college, or any challenge in your life, remember to give yourself grace. If something scares you, it’s probably good for you. Stepping out of your comfort zone and into something that will benefit you for years to come is necessary for growth. There may be challenges within but finding happiness and community will help get you through them. With confidence in your abilities, you can thrive in any new environment. I’m thankful that I was able to recognize that and succeed in my first year at college.