Insights
Like so many things in life, we think we are well prepared for what’s coming, but when it arrives, we are still surprised by it. In this case, for me it was college.
The schoolwork, the level of personal responsibility, the schedule, all things I believe need to be experienced to fully appreciate. You give as much effort to be prepared as you think necessary. For the environment of college, I don’t believe that anyone can truly be ready for all its challenges and opportunities. I have met people from all types of college preparatory schools; public, private, secondary, and we all share a common feeling…college is hard; at least some aspects of it. I’m not saying that I thought it would be easy, but I thought I had a stronger foundation to find early success than I truly had. Before the first day even begins, everyone has something to say, insights to share, and advice to offer, all to support you. It may be good advice, but how do you take that and truly make it a part of your preparation?
In the short time that I have been a college student, I have learned that this advice doesn’t mean much to someone who hasn’t experienced it for themselves. Replicating a month, a week, or even just a typical college day, filled with courses, expectations, pressures, responsibilities would go a long way toward proper preparation. You may find, like I have, that a lot goes on in a short amount of time.
At times it feels like it will never settle down. There are a hundred “firsts” that we can experience in the first semester, and a many of them can be significant. Living away from parents, learning to navigate a new city or state, and finding new friends to make these adjustments a little easier.
I believe most students can be placed into a few basic categories when entering college.
- Those who are fully equipped to take whatever may come.
- Those who at least possess the basic knowledge or understanding of what’s to come.
- Those who feel completely unprepared, they know it, and are stressed about it.
- Those who are super pumped about the idea of new experiences.
- Those who believe they know what’s coming but are woefully underprepared.
- And those who are just okay with not knowing.
Where do you fit?
Something that everyone in these groups has in common, regardless of their perceived level of preparedness, is that they will face adversity, situations with no obvious good answer, surprises, and great challenges. I have learned that this is inevitable. But that’s OK; it’s what makes this worth doing. For many of us, it’s what’s needed to prepare for life beyond college. And I would argue that college is not meant to be something we should have all sorted out before we even get there. Many aspects of it are truly difficult, but so many people have powered through and find their own success, so it will continue to be done. It is important to know that you are not alone. It may not be obvious, but we are all in this together, experiencing many of the same things you are. And don’t forget to take time to appreciate that you are in college and can experience all of this.
