Adjusting to college as a first-year
Growing through the challenge of living alone
MARIA SIMPSON / OPINION EDITOR / THE USD VISTA
Adjusting to new classes, teachers and schedules is always a part of the new school year, but first-year students in college have an even bigger adjustment to make: starting a new life. For most students, college is the first time you are living on your own, and that’s not always easy. Adjusting to college can be tough. There are lots of obstacles to overcome, but it’s worth the challenge and you will get through it.
USD brings in students from all over the country and world. Even if you are a California resident, moving out of your home and living on campus can be a hard adjustment; it’s important to remember that there is nothing wrong with struggling through homesickness. Moving away from home means that your day-to-day life and surroundings will no longer be the same, so you lack the familiarity and comfort you used to have. When you’re stressed, your parents and high school friends may not be physically there to comfort you. It is completely normal to miss those people and even to feel doubtful or sad about leaving them.
I’m from Tennessee, so moving out to USD for my first year was a big adjustment. During the first few weeks of living on campus, I would often call my mom, sisters and friends because I missed them and everything I knew. However, I found that the key to finding comfort at school was finding new friends. Whether you’re living on campus, or commuting, gaining a sense of community through new peers and connections can help ease the adjustment to college life. Finding people who care about you makes campus feel like home. Friends are the part of college that transforms it from a place to get your degree into a second home.
However, there can be a lot of pressure around making friends in college. My advice: don’t overstress. I found that the best way to make friends in college is to reach out. Ask someone in your class if they’d like to study with you. Join a club or organization and see if anyone would be down to grab coffee at Aromas some time. If you’re nervous about making friends, remember that everyone else is in the same boat.
Everyone is hoping to find good friends, so chances are if you reach out to others they will be happy you did. Personally, I find reaching out to new people a little intimidating, but I made some of my best friends at USD that way. When a girl in one of my classes mentioned that she enjoyed taking walks around campus in the morning, I mustered up the courage to ask if I could join her sometime. I’m so glad I did, because that girl is now one of my closest friends. You never know where one small walk or study date could lead.
College is the first time most students live on their own. It is a big and necessary step in life. For the first time, you don’t have someone to remind you to keep up with homework, make appointments on time or do chores around your living space. Living on campus also means that you are probably learning to live with a stranger or two, which can be daunting. It is critical to stay responsible, and communication is key.
Write reminders about what you need to do, talk with your new roommates about expectations for chores and what makes everyone comfortable, and if you forget something important or you don’t know how to do some “adult thing,” don’t be too hard on yourself. Accept it as a learning curve and go from there. Don’t be afraid to call your parents or hometown friends from time to time to ask for tips. Not only are you living on your own, you’re starting your own life. This is a chance to start fresh and to make life what you want it to be. Although it can be scary and difficult, the excitement of the chance to begin your own independent life trumps those obstacles which you will overcome.
Adapting to college life is different for everyone. Some may find where they fit almost right away, while for others, it can take a little longer. Some people might be excited for independence, while others may hit a steep learning curve there. Whatever that journey looks like for you, just know that you’re not alone.
Learning to live on your own, starting fresh with new friendships and becoming independent from family are all important steps toward real growth as an individual and will propel you into adulthood.
Remember, college is the time to try new things, adjust, make mistakes and learn before you are truly in the “real world”. A cliché, I know, but take it to heart and use this time to grow into yourself.