BRIANNA HOWARD
Special to The Leader
The exhilarating yet extreme change from high school to college can be intimidating — and you aren’t alone in that feeling. I went from a district I grew up in for nine years and moved six hours away to Western New York, where I knew only one other person.
I wouldn’t change my schooling and my experience for anything, but I wish I was able to tell myself that overall, everything will work out.
I came into Fredonia as a communication disorders and sciences major, only to start my senior year as a double major in video production and journalism.
Life changes and your interests change.
You shouldn’t be expected to know what you want to do for the rest of your life, and if you do already know, that’s great. However, you shouldn’t be afraid to take other classes in different areas you find interesting.
It’s always good to explore the many classes Fredonia offers so you can have an idea what you do and don’t like. Taking different classes lets you make friends with different interests that you might have not crossed paths with until that class. Also, there are several classes students can take outside of their major that will fill Fredonia Foundations requirements needed to graduate.
Coming into Fredonia, I took my shot at going to Activities Night with my friends, and as overwhelming as it was, I loved seeing the clubs there. Fredonia has over 150 clubs, which is way more than I would’ve even thought, so go out and get involved.
I joined Alpha Phi Omega my freshman year, a co-ed service fraternity, and I loved that I was able to continue the service projects I used to do in high school.
I joined WNYF-TV, the campus television station, and The Leader my junior year. I was able to get real world experience by joining two of Fredonia’s campus medias and do the things I love within the communication department. It was also a great way to make lifelong friends and memories.
And as I said before, it’s okay to change your major, or add a minor if you want. College is meant to lead you in the right direction of what you want to do. With that comes reevaluation, change and following your heart.
The Registrar’s Office is located in Reed Library, and the receptionists are more than helpful when it comes to help guide you into what you want to do.
Advisors are a great tool to use as well. I was very scared to talk to my advisor my freshman year, probably due to the fact I had the same guidance counselor in high school for four years who was practically my best friend, and now a random adult is helping me with my schedule.
Ask any and all questions you have, and be sure to research your classes and what you need to take ahead of time. If you find you don’t have a great connection with your advisor, you can always request a different advisor within your department by contacting your department secretary.
I definitely needed to adjust to the new life I was forming for myself, but I didn’t want to hear that almost three years ago. I dove head first more excited than ever, and that’s okay, but for the freshman who are scared, that’s okay, too. We were all there before.
I remember my freshman year walking outside at night, thinking “I feel so free.” I would walk around as other students outside laughing and doing homework, on their bikes and long boards. It’s a feeling I couldn’t describe until now. As a rising senior at Fredonia, I really want to soak in every last moment I have left.
I wish I could’ve told my freshman year self advice, but she probably wouldn’t have listened anyways. So take it from me, you have a lot of growth and exploration to do. But you are ready for everything these next four years have in store for you.