12 Thoughts Everyone Has Their First Year Of College | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

12 Thoughts Everyone Has Their First Year Of College

A reflection on my first year.

20
12 Thoughts Everyone Has Their First Year Of College
Flickr


Freshman year is a time of great change and a time of experiencing so many new things. Here are a few thoughts and feelings that easily go along with this new adventure.

1. I don’t know anybody here.

There will be moments when you feel like you don’t know anybody around you. Whether it be the first week in a class, going to the dining hall, or joining a new club, there will be times where you feel alone. It takes time get to know people and to start recognizing faces around campus, and even more time to build actual friendships, if you are willing to put in this effort, you won’t be alone for long.

2. I miss home.

Whether it be because of your friends, your family, your pets, or your hometown you will inevitably miss some aspect of your home. Depending on a lot of factors this homesickness can range from very mild to incredibly overwhelming. Taking time to call the people you miss and having old photos around are both helpful ways of keeping the feeling close by. The important thing to remember is to not let these feelings keep you from be open-minded or appreciative of your new environment and all the opportunities you now have.

3. I have no real friends.

Building meaningful and lasting relationships takes time. Many of the people you meet and the friends you make in the first few weeks of school will not be the people you chose to keep as your close friends; you meet so many new people, not all of them can be your best friend. College is a time where most people are still trying to figure themselves out and a time of change, it is natural that friendships you make will change as well. If you put in the effort, you will find the friends worth keeping.

4. I’m being starved.

Even if your dining hall is ranked as one of the best in the country, you get sick of the food. The fajita bar is great the first couple times you have it, but after eating fajitas every Monday for two months, it will no longer be great. The sandwich bar is life-changing the first time you try it, so you have it every day for lunch for three weeks; you won’t be able to eat a sandwich now for six months. It will get bad, you will suck it up and figure out how to feed yourself one way or another.

5. I love all my classes.

Everything feels exciting, your classes are interesting, you feel like you’re learning so much. You’re reading material is enthralling, you have great ideas for the next paper you’re going to write, the last test you took went great. Ride these highs for as long as you can, remember how good it feels.

6. I hate all my classes.

There will be lulls in your excitement. There will be days you don’t want to go to class. As much as you may be interested in the topic of the class, there will be discussions you would rather not participate in, lectures you would rather not attend, projects you would prefer not to do, and papers you just don’t want to write. You feel like you’re drowning in all your work, and days you just don't have any motivation. Push through. It can and will get done. It will get better.

7. I am homeless.

Whether it be because you locked yourself out or because your roommate asked to have the room for a while, the time comes when you feel like you have no place to go. All you want is to lay down in your own bed. It sucks, it can be wildly uncomfortable, you feel like people are staring at you. It will be okay, it’s only temporary.

8. I’m learning SO much.

This feeling can occur during a test, while writing a paper, while in class, or even in a casual conversation with friends. You may not always feel like you’ve been learning all that much, but then you’re asked a question about a class you’re taking and you can go on for 10 minutes with your answer. You can surprise even yourself on occasion with what you know and what you’ve learned.

9. I have no idea what I want to do with my life.

It’s okay not to know. Some people start their first year thinking they know exactly what they want, but this will change, at least to some extent. There is plenty of time to figure it out, and there are always people around to help you with this. Take your time.

10. I have never been this exhausted.

Living a healthy lifestyle can often be forgotten, especially with the busy life of a college student, but things such as exercise, diet and amount of sleep can significantly impact how we feel throughout the day. Keeping these things in mind can help with this feeling of exhaustion.

11. I don’t have enough time.

There are so many things that have to get done, so many things that should get done, and so many things you want to get done. You can’t do it all, it’s impossible. Find a balance, prioritize your health (mental and physical), always remember that you are here to go to school, but make time for the other things in your life that matter to you.

12. I don’t want to leave.

If you’re lucky, by the end of the year you feel like you have found a place where you’re truly happy. This makes it incredibly hard to leave, and absolutely horrible to say goodbye to the friends you’ve made, but you’re excited to come back next year, and that’s what’s important.

By the end of your first year, you've had sometime to get your foot in the door and feel as though you've made some progress. While there will still be many more changes to come in the nest three years, hopefully you've found a place that makes you happy enough to stay.


Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
friends
Photo by Elizeu Dias on Unsplash

If I have learned one thing in my lifetime, it is that friends are a privilege. No one is required to give you their company and yet there is some sort of shared connection that keeps you together. And from that friendship, you may even find yourself lucky enough to have a few more friends, thus forming a group. Here are just a few signs that prove your current friend group is the ultimate friend group.

Keep Reading...Show less
ross and monica
FanPop

When it comes to television, there’s very few sets of on-screen siblings that a lot of us can relate to. Only those who have grown up with siblings knows what it feels like to fight, prank, and love a sibling. Ross and Monica Geller were definitely overbearing and overshared some things through the series of "Friends," but they captured perfectly what real siblings feel in real life. Some of their antics were funny, some were a little weird but all of them are completely relatable to brothers and sisters everywhere.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Types Of Sorority Girls

Who really makes up your chapter...

2296
Sorority Girls
Owl Eyes Magazine

College is a great place to meet people, especially through Greek life. If you look closely at sororities, you'll quickly see there are many different types of girls you will meet.

1. The Legacy.

Her sister was a member, her mom was a member, all of her aunts were members, and her grandma was a member. She has been waiting her whole life to wear these letters and cried hysterically on bid day. Although she can act entitled at times, you can bet she is one of the most enthusiastic sisters.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

10 Reasons Why Life Is Better In The Summertime

Winter blues got you down? Summer is just around the corner!

1948
coconut tree near shore within mountain range
Photo by Elizeu Dias on Unsplash

Every kid in college and/or high school dreams of summer the moment they walk through the door on the first day back in September. It becomes harder and harder to focus in classes and while doing assignments as the days get closer. The winter has been lagging, the days are short and dark, and no one is quite themselves due to lack of energy and sunlight. Let's face it: life is ten times better in the summertime.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

10 Things That Describe You and Your College Friends

The craziest, funniest, and most unforgettable college memories are impossible to create without an amazing group of friends.

1538
College Friends
Marina Lombardi

1. You'll never run out of clothes when you have at least four closets to choose from.

2. You embrace and encourage each other’s horrible, yet remarkable dance moves.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments