Everyone may have different feelings entering their second year of university; excitement, anxious, intrigued or pretty indifferent. For me I am relieved. This is not because freshman year was not a great year for me, it is because I am doing what I love and I am doing it well.
As an International Student from England I often get asked the question, "So what brought you to America?" It is a totally valid question, and my reasoning is equally as valid -- but stops slightly short of emotional detail and the full truth.
I grew up in England and finished my schooling there before moving to Hong Kong with my family for my Dad's job. The last year of high school we were told to start preparing our university applications. I was one of a small group who didn't. I didn't feel ready to go to university and had a feeling I just wouldn't enjoy it. I had no confidence I would be able to succeed. The thought of big scary lecture halls and Doctors and Professors was so intimidating I quite frankly did not want any part of it.
So, I moved to Hong Kong with my family and got a full-time job in an elementary school as a teaching assistant for two years. It was one of the most rewarding experiences I have ever done. But, I kept being told I was capable of more. My parents wanted me to pursue some kind of higher education, and with two years of work under my belt I knew I would have to do it soon. With no idea what I wanted to major in, I heard about the U.S. system of not declaring until your second year and a broader liberal arts education. I was interested, so began the grueling task of studying for SAT's and writing college essays in just 3 short months.
With each acceptance letter I received, I felt my confidence grow and my mind began to tell myself I could do this. If these university's believed I could do it, why couldn't I believe that? I then went to visit two universities in upstate New York. I loved them both. After visiting the second I broke down to my dad and told him how as much as I wanted to go to these schools I was filled with doubt that I would be able to succeed and graduate. My parents guided me through and I accepted a place at the University of Richmond: a top, highly selective liberal arts school in Virginia a couple months later.
I moved into my dorm with my wonderful roommate in August 2015. I was nervous, I knew it hadn't really hit me yet and soon the doubt and dread came back. My parents flew 3734 miles home and I told myself I would move back with them in six weeks when my mum was due to visit for parents weekend.
I am about to go into my sophomore year, I still have days when the thought of classes terrifies me and I'm worried that I won't be able to deal with it all. The thought that terrifies me more is if I had moved home with my family after those six weeks. I would have missed out on the best year of my life. I owe so much to Rebecca, my roommate and best friend, who walked and talked me through every first experience we had together. I found my feet, am on the Dean's List and was invited to join a Student Honor Society. I joined a sorority with fun, smart, and passionate girls. I made some wonderful friends who (most of the time) see beyond my British accent. I built relationships with professors, some who aren't so scary behind their Doctor title. I loved every minute. I did not just get by, I thrived.
I truly believe that my path, no matter how unconventional was meant to lead me here and that will push my doubt away for the next three years. Doubt and lack of confidence can be so scary, but keep going, and you will get through it, and the scary part will be the thought you had of giving up. So congratulate yourself, acknowledge when you are doing well and remember it when you need to most. Bring on sophomore year.
