Many can second my opinion regarding the beginning of college—it can be one of the most nerve-wracking experiences in someone’s life. That’s what it was for me. It’s not like going from sixth grade to seventh grade or transitioning from middle school to high school. While those points are nerve-wracking in and of themselves, the concept of college is picking up your life and being thrown into a pool of people who are there to achieve the same things as you. As many say, we are the little fish in the big pond now. It’s difficult not only beginning your work at a new institution, but also leaving your family and creating a comfort zone somewhere else.
My biggest struggle was leaving my family. I have never moved locations in my life and I am fairly codependent on the presence of my family members. I had always dreaded the day in which they were required to drop me off and go home without me. It’s weird and all, because now that they’ve left, all you have is yourself. You won’t see your family tomorrow, nor will they remind you to turn in your homework you forgot to do. In some ways it’s rather liberating, but while you’ve probably never been in this situation before, the freedom was counteracted with fear—at least or me.
You’re here. There is no one here to tell you that your laundry is overflowing, that you have an exam to study for on Monday and most importantly, there’s no one telling you where, when and how to do anything. As many people warned me, these freedoms can be dangerous if I didn’t handle myself the right way. I believe the first semester of freshman year is the time to experiment with things—to see how you work as a person, to make mistakes and learn from them. No one can expect you to be thrown into a new environment and do everything right, so you learn. You learn first hand and upfront as opposed to someone telling you the repercussions of a mistake.
I believe the most important and personal advice I can give someone who’s going into college is to just remember why you’re here. Everyone has different reasons and everyone forgets them at times. I would be less than human if I never admitted to losing motivation—there are times when chronic stress and anxiety overcomes me and there have been many times that I’ve questioned what I’m even doing here. However, in the grand scheme of things, I remember how hard I worked to come here, how badly I wanted to be here and how proud I’m going to make the people who believe in me. I can say as a student who pays an incredible amount of money to go here to go study. Do your homework. Go to class. Find your interests and do what you’re here to do. Don’t forget what’s important.
My semester was a better than I’d ever expected. If I could go back and tell myself what I know now, I’d tell myself that the homesick feeling does go away. You are here because you are qualified to be—there is nothing you can’t do. You have people to help you when you’re down and to congratulate you when you’re up. There is great intrinsic reward that comes with doing well, and once you know you can succeed you have no excuse to attempt for less. It is okay to make mistakes as long as you are conscious of them and learn from them. Everything comes gradually with experience. Three months ago I was scared to death—I didn’t know whether I’d fail or succeed, but whatever I did, I knew it would be based on my own merit. Now, in retrospect, I wish I could tell myself there was never anything to be afraid of.
Aside from academics, the last piece of advice that I would give to anyone is what my dad always tells me. Get yourself involved. Create a life for yourself and surround yourself with people who can enhance it. Go outside your comfort zone and try new things. I found a whole new side of myself through visiting my interests. While grades are extremely important and imperative for success, make sure you’re happy. Happiness is key—and while I am proud of my grades, happiness is how I’ve measured my success.