If you asked me before moving to Iowa what my first two weeks of college were going to be like, I probably would have said something extremely confident like, “I’m going to meet so many people, be super organized, never get lost, and totally have my life together.”
That was cute.
Two weeks later, I have learned that college is basically just figuring things out as you go and hoping you look like you know what you’re doing.
Move-In Day: Where Did All This Stuff Come From?
I thought I packed pretty reasonably.
Then I saw everything sitting in my room.
Apparently, I needed enough clothes to dress a completely different person every day for three months. And somehow, after bringing all of that, I still forgot something I actually needed.
Move-in was definitely exciting, though. Seeing my room come together and realizing that I was actually going to live here was when it finally hit me.
I’m a Hawkeye. Like, actually. This is happening.
On Iowa!: So… What’s Your Name?
On Iowa! is basically a giant social experiment where everyone has to make friends at the same time.
You meet someone and immediately ask:
- “What’s your name?”
- “What’s your major?”
- “Where are you from?”
- “Where do you live?”
And then five minutes later, you meet someone else and somehow have the exact same conversation.
The best part is that everyone is doing it. Nobody really knows anyone yet, so talking to random people doesn’t feel nearly as awkward as you think it will.
On Iowa! also had me realizing that saying yes to things is probably one of the best pieces of college advice ever. Even if you don’t know anyone going to an event, just go. There is a pretty good chance you’ll meet someone once you’re there.
Also, shoutout to whoever decided freshmen should walk around campus approximately 47 miles during their first week. My step count has never been happier.
The First Day of Classes: Wait… This Is Real?
Then came the first day of classes.
I walked onto campus feeling very confident until I had to find my first classroom.
I had checked the location beforehand. I had looked at a map. I had convinced myself I knew exactly where I was going.
I did not.
Once I actually made it to class, though, it was exciting. Sitting in my first college class made everything feel official. This wasn’t high school anymore.
There is also something slightly terrifying about realizing that nobody is going to remind you that an assignment is due tomorrow.
Your professor puts it in the syllabus and basically says, “Good luck.”
And you realize, “Oh. That’s my problem now.”
Making Friends Is Weird
One thing I wish I could tell every incoming freshman is that making friends does not happen exactly like it does in the movies.
You aren’t necessarily going to meet your future best friend on day one and immediately become inseparable.
Sometimes it’s the person you sit next to in class. Sometimes it’s your roommate’s friend. Sometimes it’s someone you randomly start talking to while waiting for an event.
And sometimes you meet someone, talk for 20 minutes, exchange Instagrams, and then both completely forget each other’s names.
It happens.
The important thing is to keep putting yourself out there.
Two Weeks Later…
After two weeks, I have learned that college is a lot less about having everything figured out and a lot more about being willing to figure it out.
I’ve gotten lost. I’ve met a ridiculous number of people. I’ve probably asked “wait, where is that?” approximately 100 times. I’ve gone to events I wasn’t sure I wanted to go to and ended up having a great time.
I’ve also realized that everyone else is figuring it out too.
So if you’re a future Hawkeye reading this and stressing about college, take a deep breath.
You don’t need to know your entire college friend group.
You don’t need to know every building on campus.
You don’t need to have the perfect routine.
And you definitely don’t need to have your entire life figured out during On Iowa!
Just show up, say hi to people, try new things, and enjoy the chaos.
You’ll figure it out.
Probably.