It’s genuinely impressive how quickly this first year has flown by. Looking back to the beginning, the pace of the semester definitely serves as a reminder to incoming students not to waste their time. College is a very unique privilege, where you can dedicate yourself to subjects that actually interest you, as well as meet a bunch of smart people to connect with. While the transition from high school to college is demanding, it’s also incredibly fun if you take advantage of the opportunity. Balancing the rigor of your classes with the excitement of university life is the ultimate goal, as the four years go by before you know it.
Beyond the Scholars curriculum, the greatest academic revelations of my freshman year came from exploring subjects I never expected to take. Coming from a very heavy STEM background, I looked at my schedule like a science and math paradise. However, CLAS170 (Ancient Myths and Modern Lives) was a major surprise. I originally chose it to satisfy a Gen-Ed requirement, but it quickly became a break from all my STEM courses. Stepping away from the rigid structure of engineering, math, and science classes and engaging in open-ended discussions about classical Greek and Roman texts taught me that I don’t have to take only STEM courses and that other types of classes can serve as a mental break. At the same time, courses like CHBE101 and BIOE120 served as confirmations of my professional path. Seeing the interdisciplinary connections between biology and chemical engineering solidified my passion for my major. To those going into college next academic year, especially those in STEM fields, I would recommend scrolling through Testudo’s Schedule of Classes, especially the Gen-Ed section, with an open mind. Look at departments like American Studies, Latin American and Caribbean Studies, and Classics to step out of your academic “bubble,” gain new perspectives, and refresh your brain from heavy STEM coursework.
While the coursework is manageable with effort and time, developing mentoring relationships with faculty has been one of my steepest learning curves. As a naturally independent student, my instinct to solve every problem myself, like not understanding material, often stopped me from asking for help. However, I’ve realized that this kind of independence can actually be an obstacle to growth in a university setting. I’ve found that the best strategy for building these relationships is consistency: showing up to office hours and staying for a few minutes after the lecture when the professor isn’t in a rush to leave. The goal isn’t just to get answers to homework questions, but to show genuine interest and curiosity. I advise incoming students to treat professors as resources for your future, not just people who grade your work.
Adjusting to university life for me was a dual process of getting used to the coursework and navigating cultural shifts. Moving into college meant entering an environment that differed from my Latin roots, which was challenging at first, but my relationships with fellow students became my solution. My roommate was a godsend, I was honestly very lucky to have her, and she provided a foundational connection that branched out into a bigger, supportive friend group. Additionally, specialized living programs like Scholars acted as a natural community builder. Being placed with students who share similar interests is a very helpful tool in forming relationships, and many of my close friends now are people I met through my Scholars program. I encourage next year’s freshmen to lean into these connections and talk to people in their program, as your peers will most likely be the ones who understand your workload and help make a large campus feel smaller and more like home.
In conclusion, the aspect of university life I was least prepared for was the reality that having an easy high school experience, even while taking “hard” courses, doesn’t always translate into success in college, especially in a demanding major like chemical engineering. I learned that if you need support, whether that’s academic accommodations or other resources, you should seek it out, the university offers a lot of help and resources. Also, despite waking up every day at 6 a.m. for years in high school, the college schedule is truly different. This became clear when I only showed up to an 8 a.m. chemistry lecture a number of times that could be counted on one hand (if you know what I mean). While I still did very well in the class, it wasn’t ideal. My final advice to future students is to be realistic when planning your schedule. It’s said a lot, but the 8 a.m. really is rough. Study, have fun, find a balance, and enjoy the experience. This is a time that prepares you for your future, and it has more to do with the connections you make than people often realize. While grades are important, so are relationships, and these are years you don’t get back.