My first year at The University of Maryland was a time of major transition, filled with both challenges and unexpected personal growth. Navigating academic pressures, social adjustments, and new responsibilities taught me valuable lessons about resilience, self-awareness, and adaptability. At times, I struggled to balance coursework with personal life, but these experiences pushed me to develop better time management and self-discipline. Looking back, the obstacles I faced during my freshman year became opportunities that shaped both my academic goals and personal values.
Of all the courses I took this year, the one that was the biggest surprise for me was HIST111, The Medieval World. Throughout high school I've taken the required history courses and while at times I was intrigued, teachers were never fully able to grasp my attention and gain my full interest. However, HIST111 with Professor Halsted was one of the most interesting classes I’ve ever taken. I came across the class when creating my schedule for the second semester of my freshman year after I was stuck at 11 credits and needed to add one more course. It was one of the only classes that fit into my schedule so I decided to take it as a genED. I recommend incoming freshmen take genED courses that are outside of their comfort zones because they may be more interesting than you think. Checking course and professor reviews may also help when selecting these genED’s to get a grasp of what the course’s structure will be like before selecting it.
Developing relationships with faculty has been one of the most helpful parts of my freshman year. Being in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, advising appointments are necessary before choosing courses for the upcoming semester. This requirement has granted me the opportunity to connect with my advisors, Rose and Sara, as well as my peer mentor, Kevin. In doing this, I’ve learned of numerous scholarship opportunities, internships and volunteer work, and various tips to succeeding at the university. The biggest obstacle in making this connection was being hesitant to reach out. It took me some time to realize that advisors are here to help with much more than just guiding you through selecting courses, but are individuals you can go to for advice and help when needed. I recommend that incoming freshmen connect with their advisor and peer mentors if they have one. I would also recommend not being hesitant to reach out to professors asking if they are looking for any students to help in research or studies. Being a nutrition and food science major, my first semester professor for elements of nutrition was often looking for students to participate in studies.
Making relationships and connections with fellow students has been the most impactful part of my freshman year. In attending clubs I made numerous friends, a lot of which were seniors who helped me navigate university life. Connections with other students have provided me with resources I can go to when I need help in various aspects of my life. The biggest obstacle in forming connections is being hesitant to talk to others. As someone who is quite reserved, going to talk to new people isn’t always an interest of mine, but making friends this year has been pivotal. Incoming freshmen should make connections with other students because these may be life-long friendships, people who can help them in classes, or even individuals who can help them navigate their college experience.
Reflecting on my freshman year, I was least prepared for finals week my first semester. In high school, AP exams took place across the span of a month, while in college final exams span over a week. Additionally, in high school final projects and essays never took place at the same time as AP exams, but in college, final exams, essays, and projects all take place simultaneously. I recommend that incoming freshmen stay on top of their work and get final projects and essays done ahead of time, so that when finals week approaches they can focus strictly on exams.
Looking back, my first year in college was a period of both challenge and personal growth, pushing me to adapt academically, socially, and emotionally. Through the ups and downs, I developed resilience, learned to manage my time more effectively, and discovered new passions and interests. The experiences I had, from stepping outside my comfort zone to connecting with diverse communities, have shaped my perspective in lasting ways. As I move forward, I feel more prepared and motivated to continue embracing new opportunities and making the most of my college journey.