Ah, freshman year of college. You’re wide-eyed, full of hope, and the world is your oyster. Graduating high school means you get a fresh start. You get to start a new chapter of your life and try things that you’ve always dreamed of doing. But wait – the doubts start to kick in. What if you don’t make any friends? What classes should you take? What if you get lost on the first day? If you’re anything like me, you’ll probably stress out before the first day of college and think of everything you’re not ready for. Now that I’m almost done with my first year, here’s my breakdown of the 4 stages every college freshman will likely experience:
- Making New Friends
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College is a great place to meet new people. At first, the idea of leaving everyone you know back in high school might seem daunting, but after a while you embrace the chance to step out of your comfort zone. Fortunately, I was able to find an amazing group of friends who accept me for all my strange quirks and hype me up whenever I feel down. Remember, most freshmen are in the same boat as you and want to make as many friends as possible. So don’t be afraid to be yourself because sometimes, that curly-haired stranger sitting next to you in the library can become your best friend (can personally confirm that this happens).
- Settling Into your Major
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“What’s your major?” is a question that most freshmen are used to hearing. The question’s a great conversation starter but the answer can get complicated when you’re not really sure about what you want to do. That’s OK. No one has everything figured out right off the bat. Don’t worry if your major courses seem intimidating. Everyone’s struggling to stay afloat but as long as you’re passionate about what you’re learning, you’ll be able to do anything you set your mind to.
- Feeling Homesick
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The truth is, missing home is inevitable. Some days, you’ll miss your cozy bed or your mom’s signature cooking. Hang in there though. Over time, your twin-sized dorm bed will feel like the most comforting place in the world and the food at your favorite dining hall will soothe your soul on a bad day. And when you miss your family, just give them a call. You’ll feel much better after you catch up and realize that they will always be with you even when you’re far away.
- Getting Into the Groove
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Wait, how did I already get here? You attend orientation, start your first day of classes, go to your first college-level hockey game, and then BAM – summer’s almost here. Before you know it, you’ll be so into your schedule that you’ll barely notice the time fly by. So, don’t forget to take a breather and remind yourself that this is the start of an incredible journey.
Frankly, I’m going to miss being a freshman. But I can’t wait to see what’s in store for next year. Maybe I’ll double major in political science, dye my hair blue, and even get a puppy. Who knows what the 4 stages of being a college sophomore are going to be?