Calling All Freshman: Tips From a Senior on Finding Your Place
September 1, 2023, my parents dropped me off at college. I did not know anyone and I was terrified. However, all around me I saw the smiling, joyful faces of students who were happy to be there. I continued to notice this as I completed my first week. I felt as though I was the only one who was experiencing the roller coaster of emotions: fear, sadness, loneliness. However, now that I am a senior and can happily say that I have found my place. Just because it looked like all my other classmates had figured it out does not mean that they did. If you are an incoming first-year college student and are anxious about what comes next, here are some tips that I felt really helped me get through my first year.
1. Put Yourself Out There
There will be many moments where you will have to put yourself out there. It is likely that your college is going to host many events for first-year students those first couple of weeks. If you can, go to all of them. You really never know what could happen or who you could meet. I met one of my best friends at a school dance, which I did not expect at all. If you put yourself out there, you will become exposed to many new people and become more comfortable on campus.
2. Talk To Everyone
As someone who has been quite shy my entire life, this is something that was really uncomfortable for me. I like staying where I am most comfortable, and feel that in high school I rarely ventured out of it. However, because everyone is united in the fact that they want to meet people in this unfamiliar place, most people will want to talk. For the most part, there will not be much depth to these conversations, and they will go like this: “Hi my name is _____, what’s yours?” “Where are you from?” “What is your major?” “Where are you living on campus?” I am not going to lie, these conversations will get old after a while, but it is a great way to see what you have in common with others. You might have the same major or be from the same state. It is also a great way to see who you instantly connect with, because you will be able to notice that right away.
3. Get Involved
When you are a first-year college student, you are not only dealing with a new social scene, but a whole new level of academics. This can make it easy to get caught up in your work and put socializing on the back burner. While it is important to take your work seriously, it is also important to take breaks and have an outlet. My first year, I signed up for pretty much every club I came across. Even though I did not go to every club meeting, it was still a great way to meet others. It is also a great way to see where your interests lie and what you enjoy being involved in. If there was a particular club you enjoyed being a part of in high school, definitely join it if they have it at your college.
4. Do Not Be Afraid to Use Your Resources
Your school will most likely provide a lot of resources for first-year students. That might consist of a student leader, professors, counselors, etc. My recommendation is to not be afraid to use them. They are there for you and are happy to help you. Everyone knows that starting out in college is a terrifying time in one's life, so do not worry about reaching out to them.
5. Do Not Beat Yourself Up
One of the most important points I want you to take away is that it is not just you. Everyone is going through something similar, even if it does not seem like it. It is very important to not compare yourself to others, because things happen at different times for everyone. The first week is not a good reflection of what your entire college experience will be like. Be patient and reassure yourself that you are doing the best you can!
As humans, we find comfort in what is familiar to us. Your first year of college is a completely new environment with new people, which might even be out of your home state. However, it is important to give yourself grace as you navigate this time. There will be ups and downs, but with time, you will start to find your place.
