We still have a month left in the semester, but I’m so mentally gone, it might as well be finals week! My first year of college has been an exhausting, transformative, and a borderline-terrifying whirlwind. Surprisingly, it’s also been the happiest time of my life. Here are five things freshman year taught me.
- Imposter syndrome is alive and well in college
…And it’s even worse in art school! It’s no secret that The New School community contains an abundance of talent. Writers, visual artists, designers, musicians…the list goes on and on. In order to stay motivated, I’ve learned to regularly remind myself of the reasons I create things to begin with. Firstly, I do it for myself. Art helps me sort through my thoughts, discern feelings, and connect to my personal identity. It is easy to forget that art should not be made solely to impress an outer source. When we stop creating out of fear that our work is “bad,” we inhibit our growth as artists and as people. Thankfully, we are all capable of breaking these cycles of comparison – heightened awareness and self-compassion are wonderful places to start. Although it can be difficult, recognizing the value in our art (and the value in ourselves) is a crucial step in developing confidence.
- Wait…I actually like reading?
Who knew! In high school, I liked the idea of reading better than the act itself. I rarely picked up a book for fun. Thankfully, I’ve since surrounded myself with avid readers and writers. This has encouraged me to find my own niche in literature; I have a better idea of the sort of books I enjoy. Reading more frequently has improved my writing, helped me take time away from my phone, and given me something productive to do on the subway. It has also provided me access to stories and perspectives I’ve felt separated from in the past. And guess what? I even started the 2022 Goodreads challenge.
- Get in touch with your support system
Your professors are here to work with you! If you’re struggling, the worst thing you can do is be silent. Whether you’ve had a busy week at your job, something has come up in your personal life, or you’ve hit a mental roadblock, most professors will meet you halfway. It is easy to take on too much out of fear of speaking up, but explaining the situation will lift significant weight off your shoulders. In addition, reach out to friends you can confide in – they want to help you.
With so much changing around me, I’ve also realized the need for a strong internal support system – in other words, taking care of myself. Eating three meals a day, scheduling therapy appointments, and going to sleep at a reasonable hour are examples of self-care. I’m not saying I’ve perfected this by any means, but it’s something I’m working towards.
- The value of a night in
As most of us have probably learned by now, going out all the time can lead to burnout. If your social life begins to wreak havoc on your wellbeing, it may be time for a night in. I’m lucky to live in a cozy dorm that I don’t often want to leave. Since moving to New York, I’ve gotten a lot better at maintaining a clean living space (when you’ve only got half a room to your name, you’re more compelled to look after it). Over the past nine months, my roommate and I have accumulated concert posters, art, string lights, and other mementoes to warm the place up. We also started inviting friends over for movie and collage nights — can you tell we’re introverts?
- You’re just getting started
In other words, stop worrying so much. Even if you think you think you have everything figured out, you’ll likely change your mind – and that’s okay! When it comes down to it, you’ve hardly lived yet. You haven’t met everyone you will love, you haven’t discovered all of your passions, and you haven’t yet experienced some of the best days of your life. So much is still waiting for you. Try to make the most of this time of uncertainty – when nothing is set in stone, you are incredibly free to explore.