As my first year of college comes to an end, there are countless things to reflect on. I’ve made many new friends, learned new things, and grown as a person. From classes to parties, I’ve had an amazing freshman year experience at the University of Maryland.
I’ve taken many courses throughout the year, ranging from anthropology to calculus. The course that surprised me most intellectually was MATH246, Differential Equations. My major, mechanical engineering, requires lots of math courses. I enjoy math, but the classes I’ve taken in the past always seemed to lack applicability to the real world. Differential equations are where that changed. In the course, I got to model and solve real-life problems. It was a peek into the actual role of an engineer in the workforce, not just writing down some abstract equation you’ll never see again. I would like to say I discovered this course of my own doing, but it just happened to be a major requirement. However, my advice for finding a course that actually impacts you is to ask others about their experience and not to be discouraged by difficulty. College is hard, there's no way around it, but what helps is going through something hard that you enjoy.
To be completely honest, I can’t say I have built many strong relationships with faculty here at the university. This is something that I regret and plan to improve on in my sophomore year. That being said, I can say what works to build these important professional relationships. I recommend going to office hours as often as you can, even if you feel you have a strong understanding of the course content. Discussing the material or really anything with the professor will help you build a nice rapport. Another great way to build relationships with faculty is to participate in classes. Whether you're asking a question, providing an answer, or just commenting, it's very important to participate. I often found this also helped me to better my understanding of the material.
Starting university was a difficult adjustment at first, but the relationships I built with other students made the transition much easier. Having friends to study with, talk to, and spend time around helped me feel more comfortable and less stressed during my freshman year. Many of us were going through the same challenges, which made it easier to relate to one another. One of the biggest obstacles was balancing schoolwork with social life and stepping outside of my comfort zone to meet new people. I recommend that next year’s freshmen get involved early, talk to classmates, and stay open to new friendships and experiences.
In retrospect, I was least prepared for the amount of time management and independent studying required in university academics. Finals, especially, were challenging because they covered such a broad range of content from the entire semester, unlike many exams I had experienced before college. Balancing multiple classes, assignments, and studying at the same time forced me to improve my organization and time management skills. I would recommend that incoming freshmen start developing strong study habits early, avoid procrastination, and stay consistent throughout the semester instead of cramming before exams. Using planners, making study schedules, and asking for help when needed can make the transition much smoother.
Overall, college was a difficult yet rewarding experience. I can’t wait for the next three years!