My Experience In My First Year Of College

The impression of starting college creates such an excitement for myself. Within the article “Your First Year of College: 25 Strategies and Tips to Help You Survive and Thrive Your Freshman Year and Beyond” by Dr. Randall gives imposing tips on ways to survive college the right way. An important quote that he said was to “avoid temptation” (Hansen), such as the 8am alarm clock I have set can be so tempting to turn off every morning. He provided a substantial amount of information that will help anyone or myself who has the basic college questions. Some information he provided was to always strive for good grades, get involved, and take responsibility. By doing so will significantly help me out as I survive my freshman year of college.

The first year of college comes with many changes and challenges. These changes can include the food in the cafeteria, study habits, time management skills, and much more. Every student has to find their own way to handle the first year and determine what works best for them. For many the most essential change is living away from home. Campus life provides opportunities to become a part of a unique, diversified community. With these opportunities come challenges, such as having a roommate, being away from one’s parents, and determining self-limits.

It was once said by a famous poetic philosopher, Lao Tzu, that “ The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step”, and one of those many steps begins with the foundation of entering high school. Adapting to the swift and major changes of high school engulfed my mind with excitement and anticipation. Though the expedition of transitioning from high school to college has only merely begun, the lessons learned throughout my time in high school has enabled me to not only share my adolescent experiences and outcomes, but to also create a new account of myself within college.

In my first year of high school, I overcame my anxiety of being independent.  All my life since the elementary school, there had always been someone telling me exactly what I should be doing, where I should be going, what needs to be done, and how to get things done. This was especially apparent in elementary and middle school. Students walk together in an assembly, go to lunch as a class, play together during recess, have interactive conversations, and pack up together at the end of the day. Eventually, high school started and everything changed. I was expected to become independent. This concept was new to me and made me anxious. Sooner or later, I had to overcome the fear of being alone.

In high school, it is illegal to be truant and classroom attendance is required to graduate so, the only responsibility that a student has is to arrive at school on time. Since attendance is required, it is easy to get into a routine that stays constant over four years. All that is needed is to show up to the first class of the day and all classes are set up for the rest of the day. In class, teachers usually hand out assignments regularly and tell their students the due dates of each assignment. Some teachers even go ahead and have any assignments that are due posted in their classroom to remind students every day. The only responsibility that the high school student has is to look at the white board and remind themselves that they might have an assignment to do that night at home. Once they go home after a day at school, students will have the help of their parents or guardians to ask if they have homework that night. Parents are an enormous help when it comes to high school. Students have the responsibility from their parents to help them be reminded constantly of upcoming events and due dates.

As an individual who has encountered many challenges with the adjustment to college, I am proud to conclude that I have finished my first semester of college with complete success. The first semester of college is one of the critical points for freshmen students because you truly learn more about yourself and the skills you are lacking. My experience from last semester was fun yet difficult and I realize that there are many changes that needs to occur in order for improvement and growth. The objective of this semester is to not only to excel as a student, however as an individual as well. Spring semester I will become more organized, improve my time management skills, and improve my work ethic skills.

Reflecting is an uncomfortable yet nurturing journey one must go through in order to recognize the inner workings of one’s being. It is through reflection that one will become more self-aware of what potential problems could develop. I find myself disquieted with the complexity of honest reflection and revealing truths about myself that are uncomfortable in accepting.

Six months ago, as my first semester of college comes to an end, I was diagnosed with severe depression. The news of my family and I moving across the world after my high school graduation is unsurprising, but it signals the time for me to make up my mind. This, along with my new found existential crises, is more or less the reason for the formation of my illness. However, in an ironic twist of fate, my depression, the dreadful enemy of my family, social life and academic achievements, plays the part of the main motivator to push me towards my final decision in exchange.

As a young adult just getting out of high school many people feel like they ultimately have two choices: they can enter the job market with minimal skills and hope that they can progress without secondary education; alternatively, they can follow a very typical path that most people see as a way to the American dream--they can go to college, get a degree, and pray the job market has a place for them. Nearing the end of high school, I was torn between joining the Army and going to college. What eventually ended this debate for me was my extremely supportive parents who gave me an ultimatum: they told me they would pay for my first year of college and if I still wanted to join the military after that, I could.

During my first week as a freshman in college, I was still wondering if I had made the right choice for myself. Intrigued if the major I had chosen was right for me, I decided to attend a workshop strictly for product design students. I wanted to meet people in my major and also get a taste of what I had gotten myself into. On my way to the event, I ran into a girl with short curly hair that seemed lost and looking for a specific classroom. I asked her if she was a freshman and, relieved, she replied that she was, wondering if it was my first time in that maze of a building too. The URBN Center is the building where all the design classes are, and accordingly, it has an intricate system of half floors that is eye-pleasing yet confusing to get around.

I can clearly remember the my first day at university it was one of the happiest days of my life and I fully appreciate the opportunity I was given and have enjoyed the learning experience However I feel there has been several issues that have impacted my experience and turned it into something negative

Freshman year finally came around and I reeked of excitement. I planned to take advanced classes and participate in the Prosper High School marching band, along with my best friends. We were eager to meet new people, but terrified to be the new freshman on campus. For most of us, our schedules coincided; we believed our teachers had a lot coming. However, the strict high school teachers prohibited talking, so my classes were quiet besides the popular kids, who could do whatever they pleased. I never fit in with the popular kids, but I could not figure out why. Over the years of attending Prosper schools, I convinced myself I did not fit in with the popular kids because I lacked the looks and money, which killed all the confidence I had.

College is a time for discovering oneself while educating themselves on how to live on their own efficiently. College also develops a student’s way of life that they will carry on throughout their adult life’s. I am currently a sophomore and in the two years that I have attended here I have lived with a roommate as well as by myself. Living in these two different environments has affected my territoriality in many different ways. For me personally, college has changed my view on personal space, living space, personal property, privacy, hygiene and how to talk to new people. These views changed significantly from my first year when I was living with a roommate to now when I am living by myself.

Not being able to graduate has affected my life, a bunch. Not graduating, made effects difficult for me, however, made effects bigger, however, on the other hand, made them even worse for what I had been under, stress and pressure. The one person putting greater pressure on me, was none other than me, still my family puts pieces of the stress on me too. Not being able to walk from Ridge community and graduate from High school and be a graduate, had been already humiliating enough for me, how I brainwashed myself, and continued thinking of my future, had yet to hold for me, it enduring setting off all those stress factors those lasting was a suffering for a long time. These thoughts that were racing constantly, "what should I identify now?" The stressful tension had been already too much to handle, but having a few of my family put me down was even worse, I struggled with my ACT, and worried around passing my classes at Ridge, and competing my requirements.

Life as a young 19 year old college student may consist of many hours knowingly or unknowing on social networks. Social networks are a network of social interactions and personal relationships. They are a way for many individuals to stay connect to their friends and a way for people to entertain their self. Just recently I began to notice how much social media actually runs my life... It’s crazy how in the morning when I wake up and roll over and the first thing I reach for is my cell phone. After swiping to unlock my iPhone 5 and checking to see if I have any messages I click the light blue birdy app called twitter and then tell the twitter world good morning before I even put my feet on the ground. That’s not really a big deal but that goes and shows how a much of a habit social media can become. Throughout the entire day I do notice I am on and off social networks even scrolling threw my favorite app instagram during my class lectures. That was a problem for me…I decided I needed a change. Social media has become a distraction in my life and to me while trying focus. I became aware of the distractions social networks caused when I was trying to focus on my schoolwork. I decided to dedicate myself towards not using any social media apps for 1 month and I learned that life without social media has many beneficial consequences leading you towards a more focused and nature fulfilled life. I also learned how to manage my time while on social networks.