Hello Everyone,
I am about to have my advising appointment to plan my last year of college. I can’t believe I have truly gotten this far. All the sweat, tears, and long nights studying are actually going to pay off. I sometimes think that if we could go back in time and talk to our younger self, it could fix half of the mistakes I made, but also, making mistakes is part of learning. Here are some things that I wish I had known as a freshman.
You Belong: College is hard, that’s why not everyone goes; it’s a lot of work. But one of the downsides is that everyone is there fighting to get through; there will be people who will try to take you down. I have had quite a few people tell me I don’t belong. I am dyslexic and am getting a Creative Writing major. That being said, don’t let people tell you what you can and can’t do. UIowa would not have accepted you if they didn’t think you belonged.
You Will Find Your People: Not everyone finds their best friends in the first week. You actually will probably meet most of your close friends later in college. My best friend and I didn’t become super close till later into my freshman year and the summer before sophomore year. Now we are super close, and I am so lucky to have her, but I have lost lots of “friends.”
Other Relationships Always Look Better Than They Are: I remember thinking how badly I wanted to be in a relationship as a freshman in the first month, and I did have a boyfriend for 4 months my first year, but people forget that relationships are work. Those who make it work during a busy college schedule, that’s great. But remember you aren’t behind or the only one if you are single. I have had two serious relationships, and I was lucky they both ended on good terms. But I have met so many people who get affected by relationships, just know that if it works, it works, but it’s ok not to be in a relationship.
Self-love and Mental Health Is Important: My freshman year, I thought I would never be homesick since I didn’t realize that I would not experience a plummet in my mental health till January. As a third year, I have learned that you have to give yourself grace. Mental health is important as well as self-love and care. I do a “spa” day at least biweekly, with a deep skincare routine as well as taking a night to just watch TV or rest and read.
No One Is As Happy As They Seem On Socials: I wish every person could just remember this when they look at social media. If I could have had this in the back of my head all of Freshmen year, I think I would have been happier. I had to fully rewire my brain, and now every time I start to compare my college experience to someone else’s, I tell myself that someone is looking at my own social media, thinking I have it all.
I hope this helps any incoming freshmen. Remember, college will be a beautiful journey, and you will get to experience new things and ideas. You will find something you love and will get to be yourself. I still am pinching myself cause I can’t believe I made it this far. You will someday be here as well. Have a wonderful day
Cheers,
Rose
