I’m going to be a college freshman in the following school year and I’m kind of nervous about entering into a new stage in life. I know that everyone must go through that stage, but I just need some reassurance. I haven’t decided to stay home or go away yet. So how was your freshman year in college? Was the transition from high school to college really difficult? How did you cope?
Thanks so much!
I think that the first year is different for everybody. I really liked my first year at a school that was way more high-intensity than my high school. Everything was new, and there were so many new people, and things to learn, etc. That novelty didn’t really go away until second semester. There were some things that were hard to adjust to, like having a roommate, public transportation, the drinking, and dorm bathrooms, lol. But I made friends pretty quickly, which helped a lot. And by that point in my life, I was too ready to get out of my high school and my house, so that made the transition pretty easy for me.
I really like Freshman year - I especially like my classes (I know that sounds really lame but bear with me) – I like the idea that you are sitting in a room being taught a subject by someone who has dedicated their life to that subject. Never are you gonna be able to have that experience again later in life regardless of how much money you’re willing to pay. For example, my International Relations professor is a triple alum of Stanford and spent 15 years of his life living in Japan doing research on US-Japanese relations, publishing three books in the process. To sit in class and have him talk about something like Pearl Harbor or Japanese bureaucracy is such an incredible experience.
I think my Calculus professor put it well when he was explaining why he doesn’t take attendance when he said that “you don’t get rewarded for going to class; the class is the reward itself.” I always tell myself some version of that when I have the urge to skip and it always changes my mind.
I came into school with a little over a year’s worth of AP credit so my first semester I decided to take a light credit load so I could “ease in” to college rigor. I think that also made my experience a little bit better.
It was awesome. All my high school friends lived in the same dorm building, so it was as if you lived in a neighborhood where all your friends lived on the same street and there was no parents. Upperclassmen in greek life and clubs were overly friendly and loved to spoil freshmen (they want us to stay in their organization) so meeting new people was super easy.
Some classes were difficult as I attended a high school which did not properly prepare students for REAL university courses, but I never made anything less than a B- during my first semester.
The transition was very easy as my high school life was not very sheltered. With the exception of sneaking into bars with fake IDs, the difficult classes, friends living a few feet away from me, 3 hours class days, and optional attendance, life during my senior year of HS was very similar to freshman year of college.
Honestly? I was SO excited about going (5hrs) away and starting fresh! Until we drove off the highway exit and into town on my way to campus to move me in. All of a sudden, reality hit me and I literally covered my head with my pillow! 18yo and hiding! Too late. They moved me in and left. Hard? Oh sure. But I grew up and learned I was strong. I have since moved several times, all around the country, for new jobs. Every. Single. Time. I start out feeling sick to my stomach with nerves but I remind myself that in one month’s time, I will know the people in the hallway and the bathroom will seem old hat (seriously. Going into a new bathroom is always an alienating feeling until, well, it’s not new anymore). It’s easy to stay home; you will benefit from going away. Just my .02
I hated my freshman year (currently almost over!). I am going to my safety school this year and transferring this fall as a sophomore to my top choice.
I commuted from home, which was typically an hour to an hour and a half commute; half by driving and the other half by public transit. Commuting made it super hard to make friends, so I stopped trying. I hated the school from the get go so I never tried to integrate myself. Plus, all the clubs and activities were usually after 6pm, and I have a part time job so I always had to be home before 4 to do my night shifts and do homework. I actually found an abandoned room in the science hall that had working electrical outlets and a sink so I would spend most of my time in that room between classes. That being said, I got a ton of work done always being by myself in silence.
Since the school was my safety, all the classes were fairly easy; easier than my high school by far. I way outperformed my high school self in college this year, which made it easy for me to transfer to my desired university. I hate the atmosphere of my current school. It doesn’t have a traditional campus since it is in the middle of the city (Atlanta) and not the rich parts of Atlanta, but the really dingy run-down parts. I will say, though, that the professors and fellow students are really nice people… but this current school is just not where I want to be.
I am sure most people enjoy their freshman year, but I just wanted share that it’s not that great for everyone. However, I plan to have an amazing sophomore year at the university I am transferring to!
I really enjoy freshman year. I am a commuter student and commute to a college about fifteen minutes from my house, so my experience is different. I was nervous about starting college because I went to a high school that had a sub-par curriculum, and I felt under-prepared. I was an overachiever in high school, however, so I did not have that hard of a time adjusting compared to my peers.
My transition wasn’t too difficult. At first, you are nervous, naturally, but it wears off, and then it becomes part of your life much like high school did. I made sure to establish relationships with my professors so that they knew who I was. This is easier to do if you go to a small college, so if you go to a large university, you may not be able to establish these relationships. I also made some new friends, so be sure to be open with everyone and not moody looking or shallow. People will be able to notice if they should try establishing a friendship with you or not. I am a “smiley” person, and I think that helped me make new friends.
The best advice I can give to you is not to let your schoolwork get the best of you. Do not feel the need to overachieve on everything. College isn’t a competition, and I felt as if high school turned things into a competition. Do not let your work stress you out. Therefore, work on assignments ahead of time. Professors give you a syllabus for a reason - they want you to take advantage of the time that is given to you. Also, do not be afraid to ask questions or go to office hours. Many students drop out of classes because they would not go to office hours and seek help. If you do this, you will become a very successful student.
Oh, and take advantage of the freedoms that you have in college. Be reasonable, of course. When you go to make your schedule for the fall, see if you can work your schedule in a way that gives you a few days off. This semester, I only go to class on Tuesdays and Thursdays and have MWF off. You have your whole life to work a five-day week, so take advantage of this opportunity now!