A Time of New
Oh the precious last days of summer. The fading blooms of flowers, the rusty evening sunlight dwindling on the horizon, the subtle chill of evening—another fantastic season coming to a close. However, while our beach days may be numbered and our shoulders may be burdened now with new tasks and obligations, there is still so much life to be experienced. For a whole generation, doors are about to be opened and minds are about to be expanded. For many high school graduates, this is the start of college! An exciting and unrelenting time, the first-year college experience presents itself differently to every individual that experiences it. For some, the first days of college may be spent in a haze wandering from building to building hoping to bump into a friendly face. For others, it may be spent on a volunteer trip, learning about the local area, and giving back to communities in need. Still others (like myself) may jump right into the deep end hiking in the woods in the middle of nowhere with no immediate access to the outside world. Whatever suits your fancy, really. There is truly an overwhelming amount of emotions that come in waves during the first few days, weeks, and months of college, and as someone who has been known to shed a tear or two, I thought it might be helpful to offer some strategies for making the most of this scary, yet exciting time. Here’s what I’ve gathered from my personal experience so far:
1. Give yourself a break- For many people, starting college involves a complete change of lifestyle. Routines and the activities that make up them are often broken down with the introduction of new obligations and time commitments. From more obvious changes such as the existence of classes and meetings to the more subtle and often overlooked aspects of daily life such as sleeping hours, meal times, and even hobbies, the college experience often affects each aspect of familiar life. Not to mention the social scene. College is a wonderful place to meet interesting people from all over the country and the world, but for those of us who are perhaps less outgoing, the sudden surge of bustling, eager bodies hovering around each other in close proximity can be quite intimidating. I encourage each and every college student to go easy on themselves, especially in the first few weeks. Think about it. You have been dumped into a completely new atmosphere that has upset the flow you have been coasting on for close to or all of your life. Allow yourself to make mistakes, but try to adapt to these new surroundings with some sense of urgency, after all, walking around aimlessly gets old pretty quickly. Constantly remind yourself that you are valid and that you belong here just like everyone else around you. You earned your stripes and although things may feel awkward at first, there are good things to come, always.
2. Don’t be afraid to socialize- I will be the first to say that I am the worst at this next bit. Excluding elementary school, I have always been the person to immediately conclude that just because someone does not converse with me, they hate my guts. This is totally irrational! People are often just as scared of you as you are of them, and while some people have the incredible talent to just attract others with their presence, forming initial connections with people is not the easiest of tasks for most people. Sure, sitting in your dorm texting or calling friends and family from home is important, I am certainly not denying that, but why not go poke your head out into the hall to see what the commotion is about? Why not take that late-night trip to Walmart to get some room decorations? Staying true to yourself and your values is important, that is undeniable, but challenge yourself to expand your boundaries and interact with your peers. Chances are, they are looking for a person to converse with too.
3. Do not make quick judgments, towards others or yourself- How someone acts in one situation may be affected by a plethora of external factors. If someone seems shy or quiet, do not assume that they don’t like to have fun or they simply don’t want to be acknowledged. Go up to them. Talk to them. Let them know that they are valued too. On the other side, do not assume that there is something wrong with you if you do not immediately become the most sought after human on the campus. Relating back to the prior tip, stay true to your morals and values, they have brought you through eighteen years of experiences, yet allow room for growth. Realize that change involves the personal decisions we make every day, and accept that if one method of doing something just isn’t working, you may have to try something else. Do not be satisfied if you are unhappy or hurting, instead actively try to amend your pain. Say hello to that person and get involved with campus culture, after all, you worked that hard to get there, you deserve to at the very least feel a part of it.
4. Have fun, reasonably speaking- College is full of many firsts, some positive and some negative. Think with your head, not your heart, and remember to always be concerned with your own safety and the safety of others. That being said, do not be afraid to let loose every once in awhile. With all of the pressures that college life places on students, one can only bear the load so long without feeling burned out. Choose wisely, but let yourself go out on occasion, and when you do, wear your favorite outfit and fanciest jewelry, soak up every moment of laughter, every lick of ice cream, and every note from the music. Work hard and be successful, but do not forget all of the life around you that doesn’t involve academics. Remember, you deserve to be HAPPY!
Remember, everyone has their own methods for dealing with change, and it may take time for a new lifestyle to feel comfortable, but keep being persistent and patient, and good things are bound to come.
Emma Crowell is a native Cape Codder. She is one of our young blog contributors. Her perspective comes from a place of honesty, and advice we can all relate to.