Author: rop-dog

 

            College seems different from middle school and high school, but these differences can cause incoming freshmen in college to get the jitters. But as a current freshman in college that is almost finished with the first semester, college isn’t that scary. There were some challenges when it came to the first week of school as a commuter, since I really didn’t stay on campus much and didn’t know where anything was. I would advise freshmen to take time either before the school year starts or the first week of school to walk around and get to know where places on campus are. UWGB also offers tours on campus where student mentors and staff will guide you to your classes. Another tip when it comes to being a commuter and even a student living on campus is to put yourself out there. Don’t be afraid to sit next to a stranger in each of your classes and get to know them better. So many people that I have met in my classes are nice and are easy to talk to. Who knows, you may even become close friends with your classmates and keep in contact after college. 

 

            When it comes to homework and studying for certain classes, many incoming freshmen want to know tips to help them be successful in college. One homework essential that will be your best friend throughout college is a planner. This helps you organize what homework needs to get done, meetings, exam/quiz dates, and school events without memorizing it in your head. On top of staying organized you want to start getting into the habit of using time management skills. When you have days with a lot of homework, take a deep breath and plan what assignments need to be completed on what days, and how much time you would like to spend on a certain class. You want to focus on doing homework but also focus on your mental health and allowing yourself to decompress. By doing this you will feel more successful in your classes and happy. There are many questions that arise when new students transition to college. Transitioning can be scary, but don’t be afraid. UWGB upperclassmen and staff come together as a community to guide you through your college experience.

 

Source: https://www.callutheran.edu/guides/

            As a commuter, my college life looks a little different than the average college student’s life. I only live 10 minutes away from campus, but come across some challenges along the way. Sometimes driving to school can be a hassle, as I have to fill up my gas tank more often than when I was in high school. I only used to have to fill up my tank every two weeks. Now with me traveling to campus and other places in town, I have to fill up my tank every week. This makes me spend more money on transportation instead of other things on campus. It is also harder to meet new people on campus, because I leave campus right away when I am done with my final class of the day. I guess I figure that it is time for me to head back to my dorm (my house), and go and decompress from my day. I also find it harder to be involved on campus, as I am not always there to hear what new clubs are offered, or when certain events are held. I have to make a commitment and look up when certain events are happening, and try to work it into my schedule. All these factors can be challenging with being a commuter freshman.  

            On the other hand, there are so many positives when it comes to commuting. As students are away at college, they are more independent and get to live in their own space. I kind of have a dorm life, as I have my own mini apartment in my basement. This space has a bedroom, bathroom, refrigerator, and even its own living room. In my space, I can do homework without worrying about extra distractions from my parents. Even though I live at home, I am still able to be independent. My parents still allow me to go hangout with my friends and come home whenever I choose. They understand that I am growing up, and trust me in making smart choices. My bank account is happy, as I am saving so much money by living at home. I don’t have to worry about paying for out of state tuition, or any other extra cost. My life has changed since I started college. Everyone has their own unique college experience whether it is living in the dorms, or being a commuter. Choose your own path and pave the way to your own success.

Source: https://medium.com/@lyxxx183/which-is-better-dorming-or-commuting-6e4738256e55

            When I was younger, I envisioned college to be so much different then the true reality. I thought that I was going to get lost on campus. It seemed like college campuses were depicted as giant schools that have multiple buildings. This worried me as I didn’t want to walk into class late and miss out on any important information. I also was worried that I was going to miss my friends from high school. My friends and I would always talk about how we are going to miss each other, and how it was going to be different not seeing each other every day at school and on weekends. I thought it was going to be hard to make friends because I didn’t live on campus. Homework seemed like it was going to be a lot, as I had older siblings who were telling me that I would maybe have to write 20 page papers in a week! When will I get my homework done?  But at this time, I was making assumptions that could be totally different from reality. All I could do is wait and see what the future had in store for me.

            Now that I am a freshman in college, there are some things that are different. In college, you get to choose your schedule arrangement. This is nice because I am able to choose a schedule that works for me, which allows me to have more study time. As I mentioned earlier, I thought it was going to be hard to make new friends. But it is the exact opposite, as so many people that I have met so far on campus are very welcoming. Being on a new campus with new people can be scary, but make sure you are open to making new connections with people and being open to creating new friendships. I also was able to stay connected with my friends in high school, as we made a commitment to do weekly facetimes. As for homework so far, it hasn’t been too bad. I use a planner to help keep me organized. College is what you make of it, write your own college journey and face the reality.

Source: https://americanhighschoolacademy.com/how-prepare-college-high-school-senior/