I can't believe my freshman year is already coming to an end! It feels like just yesterday I was moving into my dorm and trying to figure out where all my classes were. This year was full of a lot of new things, like getting used to harder classes and finding a routine that worked for me. There were definitely some tough parts, but those moments helped me grow.
As a kinesiology major, we are required to take four activity classes, which range from pickleball to yoga to swimming to trampoline. This spring semester I took barre and pilates. Barre is a high-intensity workout combining yoga, pilates, and ballet. I had no experience going into barre class, but I knew that I was excited to try it out, and it's safe to say that I enjoyed it a lot! This is because looking back at my fall semester, I did a poor job of staying active and taking care of my body. Taking these classes twice a week was the perfect way to reintroduce physical activity into my routine. Because it was a scheduled class format, I knew I couldn’t skip. If I had to hold myself accountable on my own, I probably would have skipped the gym because of homework or just feeling lazy.
These classes pushed me outside of my comfort zone and gave me a great chance to meet other girls on campus. My advice to incoming freshmen would be to take fun elective classes like these as a mental break from the heavy and dense coursework of your major. It is also important to remember to keep being active in small ways. It doesn't have to be a crazy workout, even a simple walk to get food off-campus goes a long way. At the end of the day, doing something is always better than doing nothing!
To be honest, I haven’t quite succeeded at developing strong relationships with my professors yet, but that is something I really want to focus on next semester. The main obstacle for me has been the difficulty of putting myself out there, especially in large classes where there are so many students. With so many people in one room, it can feel a bit intimidating to try and make a personal connection because it feels forced in a way.
On the other hand, I feel I’ve done a much better job of connecting with my TAs. It has been very helpful to get their advice on assignments and hear about their own experiences within the major. Additionally, I am currently in the process of training for an undergraduate research assistant position. This has already started to help me connect with graduate students and faculty members, and I hope to get to know them even better as I move forward with the work. My advice for incoming freshmen is not to worry too much about having perfect relationships with faculty during your first year. It takes time to get comfortable, but you should definitely still try to get that experience. Don’t be afraid to ask questions as most professors and faculty members are very willing to help and appreciate it when students show interest.
Getting to know my peers and making new friends has been a huge part of my transition from high school to college. Whether we are going on random side quests or just studying together, spending time with friends is a great way to destress and keep from getting homesick. However, social life can be draining at times, so I’ve learned how important it is to save time for yourself, even if that just means eating lunch alone or staying in for the night. Making friends can honestly feel like a chore sometimes, but I’ve realized that it usually happens most naturally when you aren't forcing it. Everyone says that you have to find your group during your first semester, but the truth is you have three more years to keep meeting people. You shouldn't feel pressured to have it all figured out right away. For incoming freshmen, a great way to find connections is by joining clubs and organizations. That is something I want to focus on more next semester to keep expanding my circle. My biggest advice is to just be patient with the process and remember that it’s okay to move at your own pace.
Looking back, I think I was least prepared for the mental and emotional side of the college transition. Because a good portion of my high school also attends UMD, it is very easy to compare myself to them. Whether it’s their academics, their social life, or their accomplishments, I find myself constantly measuring myself. I thought this feeling would go away after high school, but it has actually followed me here. It can be really discouraging to feel like you aren't doing enough compared to people you’ve known for years. So far, the best way I’ve found to counteract these feelings is to stay away from social media and try to focus on myself more. It’s a constant process of reminding myself that my path doesn't have to look like anyone else's to be successful. So, my advice for incoming freshmen would be to focus on your own lane. It’s okay if you aren't doing exactly what your old classmates are doing or if your first year looks different than you imagined. Everyone is on a different timeline, and the more you focus on your own growth rather than someone else's, the better you will feel.
Overall, I have really enjoyed my first year here at Maryland. While there were definitely challenges I didn't expect, the lessons I've learned about balance, friendship, and staying true to myself have made the experience worth it. I'm excited to look back on this essay in the future to see how much I’ve grown since my freshman year!