As the spring semester dwindles to a close, and the whispers of summer are encroaching, I begin to reflect on all I’ve experienced throughout my freshman year. It’s a bittersweet finale as I become nostalgic for the people I’ve met and the new experiences I’ve faced. Furthermore, I would like to share some of my experiences in hopes of making someone else's freshman year as fun as possible.
Many things in college are drastically different from high school, not only from the more obscure cases of social and mental growth, but also the more obvious cases in academics. College is unquestionably different from high school in academics, not only in rigor, but in class content. In specificity, many of the courses I have taken, I’ve found surprising and enthralling. For example, the class CHEM 135, although it is a challenging course required for my major, this was a very interesting class. The class went over quantum mechanics, and I found that very surprising for a freshman level intro chemistry course. Additionally, an astronomy class for my minor, ASTR230, talks about the formation of stars, the planetary systems that surround them, and even delves into how life evolves. I found this extremely engaging as I have always wanted to learn about the historical geology of the Earth, and how life initially started. I discovered this class sifting through the astronomy minor website on a random day in December, as I had picked up an Astronomy minor earlier that semester. I’d recommend that incoming freshmen pick up minors if they are interested in a topic or spend more time researching all classes offered here.
Regarding making relationships with the staff, I initially found this process to be extremely overwhelming. Everything in college is so grandiose, fast-paced, and innovative. And furthermore, many professors on campus have grand extensive accolades that make them intimidating. In order to get over this initial daze, I began to ask professors about their specialties that I was interested in. Additionally, I would go to office hours, ask questions during lecture or discussion, and be engaged in the lessons. I would encourage future students to do the same, especially since professors are in fact human too (I know crazy), and just want to see their students succeed.
Now, finally answering possibly the most daunting question which plagues the mind of every incoming freshman: “How is the social life on campus?”. And I am here to (hopefully) quell some anxieties. Yes, college can seem scary, and isolating. You are in a completely new environment, all on your own for the first time, that’s absolutely nuts, but so many people are in the same position as you. So as long as you put yourself out there, (and I mean really put yourself out there) like asking about a book someone is reading, complimenting an outfit, going to extracurriculars, or RA events, it will be relatively simple to meet people. The adjustment period was awkward and a little uncomfortable at first, but that comes with change in general. The uneasy feeling is good, it means you are growing and embarking on a new journey. To really make use of connections with people though, I would say be open and vulnerable when possible, and let people know that you’re scared too. It makes you more human!
Finally, concerning the infamous academic life of college, it is important to be prepared. Yes courses are hard, yes you need to know how to take notes, and no you should not take that 8 AM. But on another level that no one really talks about in academia is that you will be studying a lot more than you prepared for. Many STEM classes (at UMD) have multiple midterms that span all semester, and they don't always line up with each other. I was definitely the least prepared for this when I entered college. I also did not take studying as seriously as I should have for the first few exams. Make sure to be smart and study all the material for your classes. Or even do it ahead of time, so when something inevitably comes up on campus that you want to do, you’re not staying up until 2AM huddled in the ornate reading room of Mckeldin cramming for an exam….All things considered, college is challenging, but it can also be so incredible and fulfilling. I am so grateful for this semester and I am ecstatic to see what the next one brings me!