ANNA SMITH
Special to The Leader
Ohhhhhh boy, where do I even begin? Even as a soon-to-be senior, I feel like I’ve only scratched the surface of my college experience, and then some.
That said, there are still irreplaceable, at times uncomfortable, memories I’ve made from the things I have experienced during my time here at SUNY Fredonia, and from those memories I’ve gleaned invaluable lessons along the way.
So, from someone who’s been in your shoes as an incoming freshman, yet unaccustomed to the absolute art of college living (it’s actually not that sophisticated, nor complicated, but there is a particular and special “je ne sais quoi” to it all), I’d like to share with you some of the most important lessons I’ve learned from my three-and-a-half years of experience.
Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there.
I know, all of the “what you need to know as a college freshman” articles start out by saying this, and for some, it might be obvious, but I cannot stress this point enough. To me, college is all about growing into the person you were always meant to be, and more than half of that growth happens as a result of the people you meet in college. Whether it be the person you sit behind in your mass media and society class or the treasurer of Fred Grows, never be afraid to stick your hand out for a friendly handshake or fist bump and say, “Hi, my name’s ______. It’s nice to meet you!,” because you never know when such a simple (and admittedly terrifying) gesture will lead to the start of an amazing, lifelong friendship.
Know the resources available to you in times of need.
At any point in your college career, especially in your freshman year, running into struggles with your mental or emotional well-being is inevitable. That’s why it’s not only imperative to make looking after your well-being a top priority, but also to be aware of the many mental and emotional health resources available to you on campus in times of need or distress.
The first resource that comes to mind is the Counseling Center, which is located in LoGrasso Hall. The Counseling Center provides personalized, one-on-one counseling for anyone who seeks support for either themselves or a friend in need from any one of the center’s professional, personable counselors. You have the option of attending either an in-person or virtual session with an available counselor, and sessions are provided free-of-charge on an as-needed basis to interested students. To learn more, visit the Counseling Center’s webpage at fredonia.edu/student-life/counseling, or call the center at 716-673-3424 to schedule an appointment.
Another great wellness resource available to all students is PAWS, which stands for Prevention, Advocacy and Wellness Services. PAWS provides students with a wide variety of interpersonal and educational support in the areas of drug and alcohol use, sexual health, sexual assault, relationship issues and stalking and harassment cases. Support from this program comes in the form of coordinating initiatives, providing training, advocacy and intervention services, as well as direct help to survivors of interpersonal violence. Any enrolled student interested in learning more about this resource can either access the official webpage by going to fredonia.edu/student-life/prevention-advocacy-wellness or by calling 716-673-3424 to schedule an appointment through the Counseling Center.
Grades aren’t everything.
This may sound strange coming from someone who made it her goal to get straight As in every class she took during high school, but one of the things I’ve come to realize during my time here is that getting good grades is simply not as important as actually learning something in each of your respective courses. Now, if you’d like to earn bragging rights for scoring As throughout the entirety of your college career, far be it from me to stop you — it is your college experience after all — but to me, the knowledge you glean from these efforts is what truly matters in the long run. After all, it’s what prepares you for your future career, it’s what expands your outlook on this ever-changing, intricate world and it’s another source of your intellectual and personal growth in college. The bottom line is, always try to put forth your best efforts towards your classes, but don’t break your back or sacrifice your well-being in the process.
Take advantage of the opportunities that come your way.
Every college student, at some point or another, will be presented with an opportunity, whether it be academic, occupational, extracurricular or personal, that may allow them access to experience and/or knowledge outside of the classroom in their chosen field of study. It may come in the form of an exciting internship, a fun club on campus or even a networking event. Regardless of what this ends up being for you, always be open to anything and everything that comes your way, because you never know if it’ll be just the head-start you need for your future career.
Savor the moment.
This is another cliché notion you may have heard once or a thousand times over, but it is something that has become resoundingly true to me throughout my 22 years of tomfoolery, loss and learning on this planet, and it’s something that I think I’ve earned the right to say as a rising senior simultaneously amazed and devastated by the incredible speed with which my three years in college have passed.
Another cliché coming your way, but you are only young once. You only get one chance to sneak into a frat party you’ll (definitely) regret going to later on, you only get one chance to pull an all-nighter cramming for an exam in that one class that bores you to tears and you only get one chance to go stargazing on Three Man Hill with some of the best friends you’ll ever make. At least, you only get one chance to do all these things before the bills need to be paid, your boss needs you to stay behind an extra hour or you need to get the car fixed on your own dime (good luck with that, pal). So, while it’s still here, savor the present moment as much as you possibly can, my friend.
And so, thus concludes my sappy ramblings on the most important lessons I’ve learned during my time in college. Sappy as they may be, these are all things I sincerely wish someone told me as an incoming freshman, things that helped me see past the chaos and appreciate the true splendor of freshman year. Class dismissed, and I wish you a freshman year filled with exciting firsts, wonderful memories and invaluable lessons of your own to learn and pass along.