April 29, 2022
Wow. freshman years coming to a close.
It feels like this spring semester went by faster than the fall; at the same time, the fall feels like a lifetime ago. I don’t think my path is as clear as it had been when I first enrolled here, but I am content with what I accomplished over the past year. I don’t feel particularly qualified to give someone else advice on adjusting to university, but I can certainly give it a shot. Here goes.
I think the overarching difference between high school and college is that everything is scaled up. One of the first classes I took at UMD was Intro to engineering design in JM Patterson Hall. Open to anyone in the school, They had, I believe, eight 3-D printers for use by students and faculty of the university, two labs with various construction tools, and a full-fledged woodshop, all in the basement. I don’t know where you went to high school, but we didn’t have any of that. Despite having full awareness of all the money colleges make, it still left me in awe to see it materialized in front of me, providing so much for just one core course for one major. You get access to a lot of things–books and research reports, software programs, workshops–through your enrollment. Whether it's for a class or your own enjoyment, I recommend you access them all. Besides the increase in resources, there’s also an increase in stakes. As far as I know, Montgomery County Public Schools still has a system in place where the lowest grade a student can be given is 50%, and I think that does a great disservice to the kids, because there's no pity 50% in college; you either pass, or you don’t. Add in the fact that you (or, your family) are paying for these courses you're taking, it can be very stressful falling behind in a class that you need to be successful in to move forward. My first word of advice is to adequately prepare yourself for a more difficult academic experience. If you can, start studying for classes before they begin.
On that note, another word of advice would be to use every resource allotted to you. Fall semester I was failing calculus I by isolating myself, but when I finally started going to office hours, I developed relationships with my TA and other students, which ultimately led to me passing the course and making new friends. Don’t be embarrassed or afraid to ask for help. Making friends can be a flick of the wrist, or a herculean task depending on your personality. I’ve always had a very reserved disposition. Over the past year, without really meaning to, I’ve come a long way in socializing and forming relationships; come out of my shell, you could say. (ha, ha…I'm sorry.) If you’re a social butterfly, skip ahead to the next paragraph, more power to you. If you’re not, relax. you’ll be okay. It can be nerve wracking walking into a meeting for a new club but people aren’t as scary as they seem. I’m smirking to myself as I type because it's rich coming from me, but try to put yourself out there, a little bit at a time. You can miss out on some really wonderful things by being afraid.
For most people, college is the first time you get to be away from home for an extended period. A lot of new freedom….I won’t say anything on here other than this: enjoy it.
I have a class to get to, but I want to finish this off by encapsulating all that I’ve said. Prepare yourself academically. There's a lot of resources you’re paying a hell of a lot of money for, so use them. This is a new experience for you. Don’t be afraid to try new things. And, finally, I can’t promise your first year of college will be a walk in the park for you, I know it wasn’t for me. But I can promise you that it will be an altering experience in your life.
Good Luck.
Raphael