I am assuming if you are reading this blog and have been following me along the way, you are a freshman. It’s crazy to think that the year is already over. Reflecting on my freshman year makes me feel emotional as it was definitely filled with some really low moments. However, my years only got better every year. Here is my reflection on my experiences and what changed for me.
Social Life
I think one of the reasons my freshman year felt so overwhelming was this social aspect. It was difficult for me to make friends in such a big college environment. I can say confidently as a junior that this has improved significantly. I started going out of my comfort zone and speaking to more people in my classes (it isn’t as scary as it seems). I went out of my way to maintain the relationships I had and felt much more fulfilled. I also joined a sorority in my sophomore year. Greek life isn’t for everyone but joining greek life/ clubs can make the college experience much more rewarding. I have friends who have joined intramural sports and musical groups and also have very active social lives in these communities.
Academic Life
This was one area I immensely struggled with in my freshman year. I felt very often overwhelmed in my academics and felt disappointed in my grades. After some more matured reflection here is what I am realizing.
First of all, it is normal for your grades to be lower than they were in high school. College is a very big transition that I am not sure anyone can quite be prepared for. I have learned to give myself some more grace and reflect upon my improvement. I can say that my grades have gotten better and so have my study skills. I have used many more W&M resources such as Penji, Study groups and office hours. I stopped being afraid to ask for help. Also do not be afraid to reach out to an academic advisor over academic weaknesses; they might be able to give you advice on how you can pivot from these challenges.
Mental Health
I think this is what really took a hit my freshman year. My freshman year was full of a lot of unexpected issues with my physical health and personal life. This led me to sometimes struggle with my mental health, which lowered my grades, which lowered my mental health (quite a vicious cycle). I can also assure you that this for me has gotten much better. I started using campus support such as our free therapy services and Academic Wellbeing. I made sure to prioritize time for relaxation and time for friends as well. These tiny steps made a massive difference. Everyone has their days but dealing with it gets easier. Don’t be afraid to lean on each other when you need it most.
I hope you all can reflect upon your college experiences with a positive lens. It goes by so fast and trust me, it gets better.
Leave a Reply