Getting Back in the Groove: Adjustments Entering College

It’s that time of year again. With midterms coming in full swing and the honeymoon phase of the school year starting to wear off, things can get a bit overwhelming for everyone. College is hard, but it opens up endless opportunities to learn about yourself and the world around you..

As a first-year student, college has been challenging for me in various ways, but a few words of advice have been a saving grace. Here are a few quotes that are important to keep in mind, serving as a bit of motivation amidst the chaos.

“A little progress each day adds up to big results.” – Satya Nani

While simple, the idea of consistent and regulated work is something I have often seen go overlooked by students. The overwhelming feeling of not knowing where to start can lead to procrastination, hindering productivity. As someone who tends to procrastinate,I know how easy it is to trap yourself in a loop of getting things done at the last minute. Though easier said than done, building the habit of doing a small amount of work throughout the day makes a task easier, often leading to better results. A habit I have been working on building to get me through the semester is working a little bit every day on something school-related. Whether it is organizing my to-do list, reading my textbooks or actually working on homework, I make it a point to make a little bit of progress each day. This little bit of progress makes me feel a little less overwhelmed. This ensures that the next time I come back to work on it, I’m not starting from square one.

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” – Winston Churchill

We have all succeeded and we have all failed at one point or another. For a long time, the fear of failure was my main driving force – not my passion or desire, but a fear that I would fail myself or those around me. What got me over this fear was simply experiencing failure myself. Looking back, I can think of countless times my failure has felt like the end of the world. In reality, none of those moments hold any significance to my current world outside of the lessons they provided. Every failure I have had has either made me grow stronger in the area I failed or taught me some kind of lesson that I needed to implement in my lifestyle. For me, academics was the hardest place to learn these lessons, as it became so easy to equate grades with my self-worth. The reality of this is that no exam, quiz or assignment is a testament to your potential success. The only determinant is your will to keep putting in the effort.

“We’re happy, free, confused, and lonely at the same time.” —Taylor Swift

I like this quote because it sums up my college experience so far. Such a drastic change from my life at home has brought up a mixture of emotions, from pure joy and excitement to intense fear and loneliness at times. The sudden wave of independence has been a freeing, yet terrifying experience. This feeling, while isolating, is ironically felt by almost everyone. Every single person has felt lost at some point or another, and it’s okay to feel that way. College is meant to be a learning experience in more ways than academics. This is your time to find your path — explore clubs, go to events and surround yourself with people who you want to be around, because this is the best opportunity you’re ever going to get.

In just a few months, KS WELI has surrounded me with brilliant and kind-hearted people who make me feel more and more welcome each time I attend a meeting. I believe that every student has a place on campus. You just have to find where you feel at home.

About The Author:

Mithra Cama' 27

Economics

Web Communications Committee