Advice from former freshmen on adjusting to your first year

This piece was written by Gianna Callegari and Keenan Yates.

With every new beginning comes a wave of uncertainty and confusion, and starting college is most definitely no exception! It’s hard to know what to expect from something you’ve never experienced before. Luckily, there are tons of people who have gotten past the extremes of freshman year and are willing to lend a helping hand, including us! Keep reading for some basic tips on how to survive the challenges that arise with being a college freshman. 

Whenever you feel yourself starting to slip and struggle, take a deep breath and understand that you’re not the only one that is having a hard time! Courses at Stevens can be quite demanding and can evoke anxiety, which is extremely hard to adjust to. Everyone has their own journey of finding their way that is often quite tumultuous, but struggling is often a sign of growth. Our advice is to maintain an unwavering sense of confidence in yourself and your ability to achieve great things. A confident mindset is often the key ingredient to success. You can do it!

A more exciting aspect about being a college freshman is that there are so many new opportunities presented to you. Even though the seemingly endless number of options might seem slightly overwhelming, it’s truly a wonderful thing. Our advice is to try everything out and keep an open mind. It is super important to put yourself out there in any way that you’re comfortable with. Stevens offers so many opportunities to get involved, whether it be through clubs or school events, and our advice would be to go for anything that interests you! You never know what you might end up enjoying. 

College is a completely new experience and environment, so don’t be surprised if you run into a bit of the good ol’ homesickness when you first move in. Personally, we never thought it would be something we would have to deal with because we were so excited to finally be here, and yet we found ourselves seriously missing home when we initially moved. When it comes to homesickness, the cure is twofold: go out and meet people and just give it time. It’s not something you’re going to get over right away, but is something that will gradually alleviate as you meet new people, make new friends, and explore Hoboken.

On a more practical note, be prepared for all four seasons here. Rain and snow is a guarantee, so be sure to have a sturdy umbrella, good rain and snow boots, and thick socks so that your walk to class is enjoyable or at the least bearable, even in inclement weather. 

Perhaps the most important piece of advice to keep in mind is that, no matter what you’re going through, there is always someone you can reach out to that will lend a helping hand. Whether it’s a member of the Stevens faculty or a classmate, there is always someone that will guide you in the right direction. Even though it might feel like it at times, you are not alone. Make the best of every situation and have a great freshman year!