03 Sep The Freshest Freshman Advice

You are about to enter some unfamiliar territory. Beware, for there are snakes, traps and even more snakes up ahead. But don’t worry my fresh-faced Freshman: I have been there before and I can guarantee it will all work out!

You’re heading off into your first year of tertiary education and as scary as that may sound and as anxious as you are, remember that you survived high school which is the absolute worst time of anyone’s life(in my opinion). So to ensure that you make the most of your college years, balance all your assignments with a bit of partying, here is the Freshest Freshman Advice. From those of us who have been there and done that!

Note: All the women who have contributed are to remain anonymous.

Here’s some advice from women of colour to women of colour!

One of the few things that stress new students out is the idea of having to meet new people. And if you’re going to a college that none of your friends are, then the pressure to make friends can be overwhelming. It’s true that meeting new people is a difficult task, but many universities and colleges have an orientation week. A week or a few days where all the freshies come together with activities and ice-breaker exercises. Now, many expect that once the week is over that you’re going to be besties with your entire class. Everyone will like you and will have memorized everyone’s names. Wrong! That is so not going to happen – and it’s normal! I am in my third year of college and I still don’t know the names of everyone in my class.

The student dynamics are different: some are here just to go to lectures and leave. Others are may want to socialize, while others only ever materialize during the exam periods. In short, everyone is there for themselves!

“I realized that not everyone is going to want to be friends with me and when I stopped focusing on making friends and just sticking to my guns, I felt more at ease and that stress never bothered me again!”

“I thought I would get to spend time with my friends, but honestly, it’s nothing like the movies. You get so busy that you only end up spending time with them in class doing classwork!”

I really enjoyed the new schedule. I loved the idea of not being stuck inside a building for hours on end to be quite invigorating! My college is in the city center and many institutes are surrounded by cafes, arcades, bookstores and shopping malls. So, whether you have a large group to entertain or want some quiet time to yourself, the surrounding environment will provide you with enough space to do whatever you want to. This sense of new freedom can be invigorating or daunting.

Be prepared for long lecture sessions and long break sessions. But as tempting as the latter may sound, these breaks will be used to complete last-minute homework, last-minute assignment tasks and last-minute reading – so like what you did in high school, except with a heaping cup of stress!

“A new schedule filled with new topics is sure to be a challenge and to be honest, each year becomes a challenge. The subjects you cover in your first year are far different than what you learn in your final year. Remember, this isn’t like school where what was learnt in the previous year is all that is essential – external reading and knowledge gathering is vital! Relax, relax, it sounds scarier while I write it. But if you keep your head, everything will be fine. I swear!”

“Keep your head above the rising stress, to keep it held high through tough times and to keep your head clean from negative people, negative vibes and negative ideas. Do what your mind, your heart and soul tell you to do. And if after then you look back with regret, then ask yourself how to do better next time. Failure is all part of the learning process. It gives you a chance to refocus on yourself.”

I truly enjoy what I am studying. Not gonna lie I would recommend my course to anyone who is a passionate writer or interested in media. However, it is my college that has made it a forgettable experience. Each institute has its own rules, regulations and policies. And what you’ve become accustomed to at school, might not be necessary or welcomed at your college/ university. In my case, it was the latter. In these circumstances, it is important to stand up for yourself! I do not mean to go out and violently protest in front of the doors, but to demand that you get what you pay for. Schooling fees are expensive and take a hefty bite out of your bank account, thus it’s vital that you do not get walked on by big corporates and fancy titles.

Each campus has a list of complaint centers and student advisors – use these resources if you are unhappy about anything. And if you find yourself struggling to cope with managing assignments, exams stress, peer pressure or abusive behaviour from anyone, most universities or colleges have on-campus therapists and counsellors that can offer you the proper guidance you need, all for free!

“I tried to add more to my college years through external experiences.”

There are other Freshman stresses out there, but I tried to be as universally-relatable as possible. But every struggle is real, and every struggle is valid. One thing that I learnt in my second year of studying was that when someone is very happy no one ever tells them to stop being happy because someone other deserves to be happier than they are. But when people are sad, they’re told not be because someone out there is in more dire circumstances. And when you apply it to the previous thought, what does it matter if someone else, somewhere in some other random place is in a worse position, it doesn’t mean that your feelings are not valid.

“Revel in your off days, because they will come. Let yourself get angry and upset, it’s normal. But never be afraid to call out for help, we all need it sometimes.”

“Enjoy the freedom that comes with this time. Take the time to develop yourself and enjoy the journey in doing just that!”

I hope that these scoops of life will help you on your journey through the wilderness of college or university. It’s times like these that call for a bit of introspection and reflection. And it doesn’t have to happen before your freshman year, it can be done while your studying, in your last week of finals or once you’ve completed your studying. And to end off this Freshman advice, all I have left to say is don’t compare yourself to others. A comparison will make you bitter so focus on yourself and have fun!