by Stephanie Healion
September signifies the end of summer, the start of a new school year and the inevitable approach of the cold weather. For new college freshman, September means beginning a brand new stage of their lives.
The teenagers who opt to leave home and go away to college are ultimately choosing an unfamiliar environment with its own community to get involved in. With this comes a full host of challenges to be taken on, such as meeting new friends, discovering interests, and adjusting to a new routine that blends school and sociality.
Jenna, who attended Gettysburg College as a freshman in 2007, says that one of the hardest parts about living at school was sharing a space with people. “It was hard trying to get sleep living on a floor of partiers,” Jenna said. “But after a while, I learned to ignore what was happening outside my bedroom door at night.” When asked whether or not staying home and commuting to school would have been easier, Jenna answered that each choice has its own challenges. “If I stayed home and commuted, I would have slept and ate better…but I would have struggled making friends and staying connected on campus,” Jenna said.
Despite taking the initiative to choose a school far from home, it can be difficult for incoming freshman to remain open-minded in a new environment. It takes time to adjust to the changes that dorm life has to offer, and remaining open-minded during this can lead to meeting new people and getting further involved in campus activities.
Tim, an Oneonta freshman in 2006, clearly remembers how he dealt with being away at school. “I loved being on my own, but it was the hardest part and the best part. I got so caught up in making my own life that I didn’t balance things. I partied a lot instead of going to class. It didn’t work out well.” Tim says he did learn from this though. “I learned how to be independent and how to take care of myself,” he said. “I dealt with consequences for my mistakes, but they made me who I am now. I don’t regret anything.”
Dr. William Gustafson, the Associate Provost for Student Success at C.W. Post, Long Island University, has one big piece of advice for the new freshman of 2011. “Stay connected. The primary issue for freshman is figuring out what it means to now be in college. No two students are the same. It’s important for them to have someone to talk to about being successful throughout college, for someone to ask them how it’s going and how they can help you. Talking to counselors helps with that stress within the transition from high school to college by having a plan created for them that helps balance everything out.”
Being on one’s own for the first time can be daunting, especially when faced with new responsibilities such as going to class, homework, and other activities that require commitment. Balance is an important factor when handling an entirely new schedule. It is important to set aside enough time for the necessary things, such as schoolwork and studying, while also having ample down time to not get stressed and overwhelmed. Each college has counselors that are meant to help with this, and talking to them is a great way to learn how to hone and perfect this balancing act. It may be tricky at first, but accomplishing this balance will lead to a more stress-free environment and help freshman embrace college life.
Going away to college is an exciting time for any teenager. Challenges await, but so do amazing opportunities and interesting people. Staying open-minded and learning to balance a new routine will be helpful in making college into a home away from home.