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One of the biggest revelations for me this semester was realizing how much more capable I actually was academically once I changed my mindset and study habits. During Calc 1 I struggled heavily and honestly doubted whether I could handle the pace of engineering courses at UMD. Going into Calc 2, I expected it to be even worse, but surprisingly it became one of the classes that showed me I could succeed if I actually put in the effort consistently. I started spending more time in McKeldin Library, attending office hours, and dividing my studying into smaller and more manageable sessions instead of trying to cram everything into one exhausting night. I also learned that balance matters more than simply studying for the longest amount of time possible. While engineering is definitely difficult and demanding, I realized that burning yourself out is not productive either.
What surprised me most was not necessarily the content of the class, but the fact that I was able to adapt to the challenge. In high school I relied too much on the habits I developed in IB classes and assumed I could continue doing the bare minimum while still succeeding in college. I quickly learned that university courses require much more independence and discipline. One of the best strategies for incoming students is simply staying ahead and not allowing work to pile up. Even when motivation disappears for a day, it is important to maintain some level of consistency. Mental health is important, but there is also a difference between taking care of yourself and simply avoiding responsibilities.
Another thing that helped me throughout the semester was building study groups and surrounding myself with people going through similar experiences. Studying with other engineering students helped me stay accountable and reminded me that everyone around me was also struggling at times. At the same time, having friends from completely different majors gave me different perspectives and made college feel less overwhelming. Those friendships reminded me that life at UMD is not only about academics but also about building connections and creating balance. Looking back, one of the greatest surprises of college was realizing that success does not come from isolating yourself, but from learning how to balance work, friendships, and personal wellbeing.
The chance to develop mentoring relationships with faculty has also been one of the most meaningful parts of my first year at UMD. Looking back, I can think of three important relationships I built this year that genuinely changed my confidence as a student. The first was with my Calc 2 TA, Emma. Since I have always struggled with math, I entered the semester determined to improve. When Emma announced her office hours, I was initially too shy to attend. I waited until the week before the first exam to finally go and ask for help. Very quickly we connected because we realized we were both from the same area of Maryland. Hearing her talk about her own struggles learning calculus made the subject feel much less intimidating and helped me realize that struggling did not mean I was incapable.
For the first time, I felt like I was more than just another face in a massive lecture hall. That one-on-one connection motivated me to work harder because it felt like somebody genuinely believed in my ability to succeed. I realized that faculty are not simply there to grade assignments, but that many of them truly want students to grow academically and personally.
The other major relationships I developed were with my engineering professor and the TA for my introduction to design course. This class pushed me far outside my comfort zone because it focused heavily on teamwork, design, and technical building skills. My group had students with completely different levels of experience, and early on I realized I was the only person comfortable using power tools. At the same time, none of us really knew how to use CAD software properly yet, which made the project stressful in the beginning.
Since I am naturally someone who enjoys talking and asking questions, I began spending long hours in the workshop not only working on our robot but also speaking with my professor and TA about the project, hobbies, and campus life in general. Over time those conversations helped me feel much more comfortable in the engineering environment. Through their encouragement I slowly became more confident using CAD software and eventually stepped into a leadership role on the team as co-captain. I became responsible for ensuring that our physical build matched the digital design, which was something I never imagined myself doing at the beginning of the semester.
For incoming freshmen, I think the biggest obstacle to building relationships with faculty is simply being too intimidated to start conversations. My advice is to show up to office hours even if you do not feel fully prepared. Professors and TAs become much more approachable when you start seeing them as regular people rather than authority figures. Most importantly, relationships like these can completely change your confidence in a subject and open doors you did not think were possible.
My relationships with other students have also played a huge role in helping me adjust to university life. Freshman year can feel overwhelming because everything is new at once, from the academic workload to the social environment. Having a strong friend group made the transition much easier for me. I now have a close group of friends who understand me well enough to recognize when I am stressed before I even say anything. Sometimes support simply means eating together at the dining hall, taking a short break from studying, or celebrating after finishing a difficult project.
Most of us are freshmen, which helped because we were all experiencing the same struggles together. Seeing other people deal with difficult classes and stress normalized my own experiences and reminded me that I was not alone. Beyond emotional support, these friendships also introduced me to opportunities that I would not have explored by myself. Through friends I joined the boxing club, which became an important stress outlet and allowed me to meet even more people outside of engineering.
The hardest part about forming these relationships was overcoming the fear of putting myself out there. Walking into a club meeting or talking to strangers in the dining hall can feel awkward at first, but those moments are often how long-term friendships begin. My advice for incoming students is to prioritize building connections early on. College becomes much more manageable when you have people around you who genuinely support you.
At the same time, friendships are a two-way street. You cannot expect people to support you if you are unwilling to support them in return. Kindness and empathy matter just as much in college as academic success. Some of the best memories and strongest friendships start from a simple conversation with someone you almost chose not to talk to.
Looking back, the aspect of university life that I was least prepared for was the amount of personal responsibility required as a first-generation college student. In high school there were constant reminders about assignments, deadlines, and expectations. In college, especially at a large university like UMD, nobody is checking whether you are staying on top of things. I quickly realized that being successful meant treating my education almost like a full-time job where I was responsible for managing my own progress.
Another major challenge was learning how to navigate the university system itself. Registration, degree audits, waitlists, and scheduling classes all felt extremely confusing at first. Since I am a first-generation student, I did not have anyone at home who could explain how these systems worked. Watching classes fill up during registration and trying to organize a schedule without really understanding the process created a lot of stress. It taught me that college success is not only about academics but also about learning how to manage the administrative side of university life.
To prepare for these challenges, I strongly recommend that incoming students focus on maintaining balance. It is easy to spend endless hours studying or working on projects, but burnout happens quickly if you never give yourself time to recover. Scheduling breaks, joining clubs, exercising, or simply spending time with friends is just as important as studying. Success in college comes from consistency and sustainability rather than exhausting yourself all at once.
I would also encourage incoming students to stop being afraid of looking inexperienced or asking questions. Some of the biggest improvements I made this year came from admitting when I was confused and seeking help from professors, TAs, or classmates. Going to office hours early, even before you feel completely lost, can make a huge difference academically and personally.
Finally, I think one of the most important lessons I learned this year is that empathy and kindness matter just as much as grades. Everyone at the university is struggling with something, even if it is not visible. Supporting other people, building friendships, and learning how to balance responsibilities with personal wellbeing are what truly make the college experience manageable and meaningful.