When I committed to UMD, I didn’t have much expectations. Truthfully, I wasn’t even sure if I wanted to attend UMD, but I did it out of convenience. It was close to home, cheap, and it’s a good school, but in the end, I was sure I wouldn’t be happy here. I don’t know what about it made me think that. In fact, I really had no reason to think that either. I was so full of doubt that I never announced that I would be attending this school. I was almost ashamed. While everyone else was excited for what their future held, I was terrified. I wasn’t sure if I’d make friends or like the classes I signed up for or even get along with my roommate. But I’ve come to realize that I may have been scared for no reason. I have made some amazing friends this past semester and I get along with my roommate so well. I have an on campus job that I love as well. Overall, it seems like college isn’t terrible.
The one thing that took the most time to adjust to were my classes. I still don’t think I’ve fully adjusted. I’m not used to having so much work all at once. As someone who struggled throughout senior year of high school, it was not an easy transition. I’ve come to realize that I smaller classes over huge lecture hall-sized classes because of the individual help I receive, especially since I have a very short attention span. It’s a lot more difficult to ask for help in lecture hall classes. I don’t think I had any expectations for college classes except for them being super hard. I was always told that college would be very difficult, and although it is a lot of work, I think I expected much worse. I’m definitely glad it isn’t worse.
I wasn’t sure if I’d enjoy scholars. When I first read that I had made it into the program, I wasn’t sure if I’d want to be in it. As an elementary education major, I didn’t have many great options. I was never big on science, but nothing else sounded too interesting. When I heard I had to participate in activities such as service day, I was ready to drop out before it even started. It has nothing to do with the actual service day since I actually do enjoy volunteering, but I wasn’t sure if I wanted to be outside in the middle of August. After I had come back from the trip, I found out I was right. It was miserable. It was so much hotter than I had expected, the dirty pond water leaked into my waders, and I had a raging migraine). But oddly enough, I had also enjoyed it. I made some of my first friends on the trip. I got to sit in a boat to rake out the water plants and it was quite interesting, so in the end, it wasn’t the worst thing in the world. My biggest complaint would probably be when we came back from the trip and everyone who lived on the second, third, or fourth floor of my dorm hall tried to take the elevator, while I lived on the eighth floor, so out of pure pettiness, I climbed up the whole eight flights of stairs to get to my room. I refused to wait for 20 minutes and stop on every single floor just for me to take a shower. It was a nightmare. Probably the worst part of the day.
My life as a university student is quite mediocre. While my friends go out to parties over the weekend, I spent the first half of mine going home. I loved being home because it was something I was familiar with. During the second half, I got closer to my friends and spent more time on campus. As much as I missed home, I was glad I stayed. I still have not attended a single party like I thought I would've, but I’m more than glad to have not attended. Instead, much of my time was spent at the front desk of my residence hall at which I work. My best memories have been made at that desk, and I can’t wait to make more. Thanks to my job, I found a group of friends that mean so much to me. And thanks to them, I’ve had so many laughs. I can’t tell if this is exactly what I imagined my college life to be like or if it is nothing alike. All I know is that I am more than grateful for what I have right now.
One advice I’d give to any incoming college student is to go out of your way to make friends. You never know what they’ll mean to you. In the first couple weeks of college, I tried so hard to befriend every one of my coworkers. I’d sit with them during their shifts and try to talk to them, even if it was awkward. But now, they’re my closest friends. It’s always scary to go out of your comfort zone, but it will never hurt to try. I was so sure I wouldn’t make any friends in college, but here I am with the most amazing people who support and care about me. Don’t be afraid to make friends.