As I get comfortable on campus, I recognize the major transition from teenage life to young adulthood. Only one month into this new environment, I feel as though I know everything and everyone on campus. Although college has encouraged me to become more independent, it has drastically changed my habits, routine, and lifestyle.
Stevens has so many opportunities with clubs, work, and events that I want to try everything. With assignments and exams, it is difficult to manage my time and pursue everything at once. It has led me to procrastinate, which causes unnecessary stress and affects my work quality. As a result, I stay up late at night to finish assignments, which disrupts my sleeping schedule. Many students can relate to this endless cycle, and yet few break out of it. These habits go under the radar, even as students try to juggle both. Don’t get me wrong, I am guilty of convincing myself that I am powering through in college. I understand the effort and time it takes to even recognize these bad habits, but I believe that developing stronger routines in our daily lives can help establish these responsibilities and create motivation to continue holding ourselves accountable.
A consistent schedule helps me stay organized and manage my time more effectively. For example, I have time in between classes to focus on reviewing assignments, completing classwork, or taking a break to relax. Although I do not have the same classes every day or at the same times, I enjoy the variation that each day brings. Additionally, I love to go out to eat with friends! As long as I get my work done, I can have fun with friends while enjoying really good food at the same time. The independence college brings is liberating. However, at the same time, it is disciplining, but when applied in the right ways, independence can push you towards better and bigger things. Some experiences here in college could be your first, and most of mine are, too. I think we should embrace experiences as they come, whether it is scary, exciting, or a mix of both. You never know what will happen, so experience everything while we are still young and free!
My lifestyle is nothing like what I am used to. And honestly, whose lifestyle hasn’t changed? Sure, maybe people are from the city and are used to walking and public transportation. But you cannot deny the amount of effort it takes to get used to school life as well. Seriously though, I am trying to get used to both, and it is a real challenge. What has helped me are my friends and the random activities we seek out, whether in Hoboken or in New York City. It has definitely fostered some memorable moments and welcomed distractions from school. There is so much to explore and things to do that you will genuinely never get bored here. As much as I hate to admit, I love the city life and the chaos it brings, whether it be strangers arguing on the side of the street or the loud music from the fraternities, it is all so new to someone from the suburbs. With this all said and done, the experience of college is not only academic success, but the new personal growth it brings and memories that can never be forgotten.
