Coming into my first year at the University of Maryland, I knew college would be different from high school, but I do not think I fully understood how many new experiences, challenges, and surprises would come with it. A research university is not just bigger because of the number of students. It is bigger because of the amount of ideas, courses, people, and opportunities you can be exposed to if you are willing to step into them. Looking back on my first year, I would tell incoming Scholars students that college is truly what you make it. The more present you are, the more you will get out of it. One of the biggest surprises for me was how much my supporting courses connected back to my Scholars colloquium. At first, I thought supporting courses would just be extra classes that helped fulfill requirements, but they ended up helping me see the bigger picture behind what we talked about in Science and Global Change. One course that really shocked me was ANTH240. This class focused on the study of past life and the different methods used to understand it. We learned about material culture, fossils, bones, and how scientists use evidence from the past to tell a larger story about human life and development. I did not expect to become interested in identifying bone structures or learning about the relationships between mammals and humans, but the course helped me see how science is not just about memorizing facts. It is also about using evidence to understand where we come from and how life has changed over time. Another course that connected strongly to Scholars was AREC210. This course focused on agriculture and the major challenges we face as a society. A lot of what we discussed centered around food systems, climate change, water use, technology, and how we can feed a growing population without causing more environmental damage. What surprised me most was when ideas from AREC210 would come up again in Scholars discussions or lectures. It made the term “supporting course” feel real to me because the material was not separate. It actually supported what we were learning in colloquium. Incoming students should not just pick classes to check off requirements. They should look for courses that challenge how they think, connect to real-world problems, and help them see their Scholars theme from a different angle. Another important part of college is learning how to build relationships with faculty. This is something that can feel intimidating at first, especially at a large university where some classes have hundreds of students. However, I learned that developing relationships with professors and TAs starts with being present. That means coming to class, asking questions, answering questions when you can, and showing that you are actually engaged. Professors are teaching many students, so standing out does not always mean doing something huge. Sometimes it just means showing genuine effort and curiosity. One of the best ways to build these relationships is by going to office hours. Office hours are not only for when you are completely lost. They can also be used to talk through ideas, ask about assignments, or get advice about future opportunities. If going to a professor feels intimidating, TAs are also a great resource, especially in larger classes. They are often more accessible and can still give helpful guidance. The biggest obstacle is that many students may be trying to do the same thing, but that should not discourage anyone. You get out what you put in. If you make the effort to connect, ask thoughtful questions, and show up consistently, those relationships can grow over time. Adjusting to university life is not easy, and relationships with other students play a big role in making that adjustment smoother. Coming into college, it can feel like everyone else already has everything figured out, but most people are also trying to find their place. One thing that helped was putting myself out there early. Before even getting to campus, there are social media pages like “Meet Class of 2030,” where incoming students can introduce themselves, find possible roommates, and start connecting with people. Orientation also helped me see how diverse the student body was and how many different types of people I could meet. Welcome Week, clubs, campus events, and even casual conversations in class can help freshmen feel more connected. Most people are open to talking, especially during the beginning of the year when everyone is trying to make friends. The biggest challenge is maintaining those relationships. In college, people move quickly. Schedules change, friend groups shift, and it can be easy to lose touch with people if you do not follow up. My advice is to connect with people, but also pay attention to which relationships feel genuine. If you meet people you actually want to keep around, make the effort to check in, study together, eat together, or go to events together. Friendships do not always continue on their own. Sometimes you have to be intentional. Freshmen can make the best use of peer connections by being open-minded. You never know who might become a close friend, study partner, roommate, mentor, or even someone who connects you to an opportunity. At the same time, you do not have to force every connection. Talk to people, get a sense of who they are, and follow up with the people who match your energy and values. College becomes easier when you have people around you who understand what you are going through. Academically, one thing I was least prepared for was understanding how the credit system works and how important it is to know the requirements for your major. In high school, your schedule is mostly planned for you. In college, you have more freedom, but that also means more responsibility. You need to understand which courses count, which ones are required for your major, and how decisions like withdrawing from a course can affect your progress, financial aid, or graduation timeline. I would recommend that incoming freshmen meet with advisors, read their major requirements carefully, and ask questions before making big academic decisions. Do not wait until you are confused or already behind. Overall, my first year taught me that college is full of opportunities, but you have to be willing to engage with them. Take classes that surprise you. Build relationships with faculty and TAs. Put yourself out there with your peers. Learn how your degree requirements work early. Most importantly, do not move through college passively. The students who benefit the most are usually the ones who show up, ask questions, and take advantage of what is around them. Incoming students should know that they do not need to have everything figured out right away, but they should be willing to grow, adjust, and make the most of the experience.