The shift from high school to college is abrupt and daunting. No matter how far you end up from home, the first year of college seems to be a never-ending learning curve. However, if you are able to get even a little bit ahead of the curve, you may save yourself from some of the typical stresses of freshman year.
Although college is full of opportunities and excitement, the first step to making the most of your freshman year is acknowledging that stress and anxiety are a normal part of the college experience. Just because you’re stressed does not mean that you are unfit to attend a university.
During this time, you may feel like the idea of socializing is scary, but perhaps like-minded people could help lessen your stress and help you feel more at home. There is a large range of clubs that can be found on the TigerQuest site and seen during Tiger Prowl, including ones like the scuba club, art club, LEGO club and many other organizations.
Besides the uneasy feelings of being in a new place, sometimes academics can be just as nerve-racking as socializing. One of the most important things that college can teach you is to ask for help. Many universities, including Clemson, offer a plethora of assistance to anyone who seeks it. Many professors enjoy when students come to their scheduled office hours, and the Academic Success Center is filled with relatable, helpful and free tutors who are eager to help you succeed in a variety of courses.
Your ability to succeed in your academics and social life is also reliant on your mental health. CAPS, or Counseling and Psychological Services, is a crucial resource that can easily be overlooked, especially by freshmen or incoming students. CAPS provides free mental health services to Clemson students.
Besides these major things to remember, there are other things that I wish I had understood during my freshman year. One of the most important things is that friends and opinions change throughout your life. As you go through college, you also grow as a person. The types of people you surround yourself with will shift, and the things that you enjoy doing may change.
This isn’t bad, it’s just personal growth. Although it may be tempting to make yourself into what you want others to see, you may soon realize that your genuine self is the one that helps you gain true friends and wins you the experiences of a lifetime.
Another important, but underrated, piece of advice is to find a quick and easy comfort meal that will cheer you up anytime. Just something to lift your spirits. This can be an old but quick family recipe or even a warm bowl of macaroni and cheese. This staple meal will get you through a lot.
At the end of the day, college is not just about the nitty gritty schedule of classes and deadlines, but also experiences and knowledge. So, put yourself out there and try new things, but don’t lose yourself while finding who you’re meant to be. Always remember to just keep swimming!
