ANDIE VÉLEZ-DAVIS
Special to The Leader
Despite how exciting it may be to go to college, the transition between high school and college can be a scary adjustment for some. There’s so many new things to be explored — new friends, new home, new professors, new classes — the list goes on and on.
Although a lot of the changes that may be happening may be exciting, it can very easily become overwhelming and maybe difficult to navigate your very first year of college.
As a rising senior at SUNY Fredonia and a former resident assistant (RA) for freshman students, my goal is to share my advice so that you can make the most out of your college experience.
You don’t need to be the same person you were in high school.
High school is a strange time for a lot of people.
Going to college, for many, means that you’ve been given the opportunity to get away from all your hometown drama and start out with a clean slate. Don’t be afraid to do new things and reinvent yourself.
College is the time to make mistakes and discover what you like and don’t like, and that includes learning from your mistakes and experiences.
Don’t be afraid to get involved.
Getting involved is something I think is a huge benefit and one of the best things you can do when starting your first year at Fredonia.
Luckily enough, getting out there can be as easy as joining a club or your residence hall’s Hall Council.
At SUNY Fredonia, there are over 150 clubs and organizations to choose from. Most of these clubs are showcased at Activities Night, which happens at the very beginning of every semester.
It’s definitely a good idea to stop by with friends or go solo, and sometimes, your RAs will invite everyone to walk over together to the big event. I promise there is always something for everyone!
I ended up joining the co-ed community service club, Alpha Phi Omega, my first semester, Sigma Gamma Phi my second semester and two of the campus media clubs, WNYF-TV and The Leader, during my fourth semester at Fredonia. All organizations gave me the opportunity to continue doing something I love, and I met some of the most amazing people because of it.
Lean on your support system, but don’t be afraid to branch off.
College is often the first time many of you will be living away from home, and with all that new independence comes a lot of responsibility and a new need for different kinds of support.
As a young adult on your own for the first time, you want to feel independent and like you don’t need to ask for help.
However, having a support system to lean on, including your RA, your professors and the Counseling Center is extremely important. But even more so, building connections within your community is vital.
You and your peers are all on the same boat. However, it’s important to note that the people that you interact with will change all the time.
You will meet new people in every class you take, every club you join and any place that you go. Odds are your best friend will be the one you least expected it to be in the end.
Make sure you still take time for yourself.
A very wise person once said to me, “You are a person first and a student second. Make sure you still take the time to take care of yourself because you being okay is what matters most, whether that means physically or mentally.”
I’ll be honest, life sucks sometimes, and everything going on with school, clubs and personal matters can become overwhelming, and that’s 100% okay.
It’s not the end of the world if you mess up or to ask for an extension on that paper that was due two nights ago. Just make sure that you are taking the time to allow yourself to mentally and physically recharge, even if it means taking a mental health day every now and then. And make sure you are communicating with your professors when you need that break. If you need it, do what will benefit you in the long run.
Have fun!
College will more than likely be the best four years of your life, and believe me, it goes a lot quicker than you’d expect it to.
Remember to truly make the most of what you are here for. College gives you the opportunity to start a new chapter in your life.
Being open minded in this new stage of your life is the best thing that you can do. Don’t be afraid of exploring new things or stepping outside of your comfort zone.
Make the most of your experiences and learn from your victories and downfalls, but most importantly enjoy the ride.