As a high school student, I am eagerly preparing for my visit to the campus I have chosen for college. The transition from high school to college is an exciting moment in our lives. It was also significant for me personally when I was accepted into one of the world’s greatest universities and began my own educational journey. However, leaving behind my family and friends presented a major challenge. Still, I couldn’t wait to experience living independently in a new place. So, I scheduled a date and time for my campus tour, which filled me with overwhelming anticipation.
The night before, unable to sleep, I occupied myself with video games until exhaustion took over. Finally, at five o’clock in the morning, full of excitement, I got up, showered,dressed up and was ready to go.
On the way to the campus there was heavy traffic as others were also trying to reach their destinations.
Once there though,I had the opportunity to meet people from diverse backgrounds and cultures which further confirmed that The University was indeed my top choice for pursuing my education.
I shared with my parents that I had a positive impression and imparted, “There is no need to search further; I believe I will enjoy this place.” They too felt excited. After exploring the campus, we encountered a helpful individual who directed us to the Sports Center. Once there, I completed an application for consideration as a walk-on player for the university’s football team. Unfortunately, my high school coach failed me by not submitting my paperwork on time. Being a running back for my high school football team, I possessed confidence that scouts would take note of me and had a strong desire to join the team. Graduation and summer’s end were approaching swiftly, therefore I was prepared for this new chapter in my life.
After completing all the preparations, summer is over and I moved on campus to start my first semester of college. There were no fears at this point. The University and its committees organized fun activities during the first week to make the freshmen feel at home.
Upon starting my first day of class, I maintained a positive attitude towards both my professors and classmates. My expectations were met. However, I knew that challenges were yet to come. I anticipated adjusting to a higher level of learning independently. To manage my workload and study efficiently, I structured my class schedule accordingly.
I expected classes and exams to be easy; however, little did I know that the pressure to perform well would negatively impact my educational experience.
Prior to leaving home, my parents stressed the importance of taking education seriously since they were financially supporting me. Although they wouldn’t monitor my attendance directly, any failures would not go unnoticed.
Being away from family has been overwhelming but having supportive professors helps alleviate some of those feelings. This was one of my greatest fears after realizing that college coursework is significantly more challenging than what I was accustomed to.
Although I initially believed college would be manageable, it eventually became necessary for me to seek assistance. The difficulties of studying and adapting to college life require more time and effort than I anticipated. The once friendly atmosphere has faded, leaving me feeling isolated. The transition to college has proven challenging during my first semester. As those around me embark on their own journeys, they too must make adjustments. Exams that are much harder than expected have made me realize the value of home. I reached out to my mother, expressing remorse for my previous statements and longing for her lectures rather than the current stressful situation. However, I also acknowledge that overcoming these challenges will ultimately greatly impact my life. Kirk Kidwell’s article, “Understanding the College First-year Experience,” resonates with me as he describes the shared struggles of fellow students entering college. Like myself, they arrive at campuses across the United States filled with hope, optimism, anxiety, and fear. We all venture into unknown territories determined to forge our own paths and shape our futures.
As a student, I must adapt to the challenges of college. While some may drop out, my goal is to get a high-quality post-secondary education. At first, I felt overwhelmed by campus activities and tried to bond with my roommate. But now, I know where all my classrooms are, have met my professors, and have all the necessary materials for the semester.
Attending classes and meeting deadlines has become routine over time. However, my essay grades were not as good as expected. To solve this problem, I asked one of my professors for help and saw improvement. Some exams went well in certain courses while others didn’t meet expectations.
The “Understanding the College First-year Experience” class was particularly stressful for me. It felt like too much to handle alone, so I sought emotional support from my mother and explained what I was going through.
My mother, like many others, encouraged me to work hard and believe in my abilities in order to achieve something worthwhile. She acknowledged that success wouldn’t come easily and I would need to put in extra effort.
As students enter their first year of college, they may not fully realize it but they are about to face a different set of challenges academically. However, if they can overcome these challenges, two important lessons will be learned: (1) College is not the same as high school and requires active engagement; and (2) Successful college students take responsibility for their own education instead of relying solely on teachers.
“Understanding the College First-year Experience.” It is crucial to accomplish this independently.
In order to reach my full potential in college, I am working towards finding a balance between my workload and study habits. It is crucial for me to heed the advice given during orientation, which emphasizes the significance of establishing strong connections with professors. They are always ready to offer support; we just need to ask. Professors possess the knowledge required for succeeding in exams. Whenever I face challenges in any of my classes, I am learning to promptly schedule a meeting with them for guidance.
Work Cited
Kidwell, Kirk S., and Bob Reising. “Understanding The College First-Year Experience.” Clearing House 78.6 (2005): 253-255. Academic Search Premier. Web. 14 Nov. 2013.
