Freshman at Taylor's | By Jensen Lim Jia Shen
Illustration by Calista.
Life as a Freshman
Some of you may find it exciting, awkward, or sometimes even daunting. I was also quite anxious when I first started college. I didn’t know what to expect. Maybe it’s because I haven’t interacted with people in a while, or I wasn’t ready for it. Whatever it was, I would embark on a whole new journey.
First Impressions
One of my concerns was getting used to college life: new timetables, professors, academics, friends, etc. I had so many questions in the back of my head. How will my professors conduct their classes? What are my classmates like? Will the classes be lively? Having stayed at home for the last few months during high school, I didn’t think that I was prepared for anything that awaited me. However, I was determined that everything would turn out better than expected.On the first day of college, our professors began the lectures by introducing themselves, explaining how classes would be conducted, and how we would cover the syllabus over the semester. Throughout the classes, they were very cool and humorous, sometimes even cracking a joke in the middle of class. This really caught me off guard as I expected a more forbidding and stern environment. As a student in the A levels program, I really appreciated some of these moments.
Part of college life was also the addition of freedom, which wasn’t really apparent in high school. Back then, a detailed timetable would be given to students to follow, which included a tight class schedule, compulsory CCAs, and study periods. In college, classes usually vary throughout the day, hence I would have hour gaps between them. During those gaps, I would end up studying and completing assignments in the library, or finding a place to eat. However, I do occasionally scroll through Instagram mindlessly.
Making Friends
Friendships. They are essential in your schooling years. Friendships can improve your mood, support you through tough times, reduce stress, and even help you reach your goals. Most of your spare time would probably be spent hanging out with your friends. You could be playing games, doing sports, doing assignments, or eating together. It’s a good idea to make new friends during your first year. However, it was easier said than done as letting go of my high school friends was difficult. Despite hesitating to approach my classmates at first, I plucked up the courage to ask for their names. Soon, building new friendships became much easier as many were through mutual friends. I also became more confident to converse with others.The Journey So Far
It has been three months ever since my first day of college, and the experience has been enjoyable so far. Despite countless struggles in my studies, I’m able to cope with the help of my lecturers and friends. During our free time, we would sometimes opt for a game of pool at the student life center, get a snack at the well-known waffle store, or even take a short walk around campus.The difference between college life compared to high school has taught me a few things. First, have a good relationship with your professors. By forming a close bond, students feel more comfortable seeking help and guidance with any problem that they encounter, and professors will find it easier to evaluate their students. From here, deeper learning can be done inside as well as outside the classroom, as the professors may share their valuable life lessons during class.
I also learned the importance of time management, which students often overlook. With added freedom, students, including myself, are prone to procrastination, which may affect our academic progress and assignments. Students should plan out their time wisely in order to increase productivity.
Moreover, be careful with the type of friends you make. Since they are one of the most impactful people during your college life, it is important to find friends who give supportive interactions and boost your self-esteem and your academic progress, not those who discourage you overall.
For incoming freshmen, my advice to you is to have good time management. Remember that your education comes first and you are in charge of it. No one is going to stop you from what you are doing. Therefore, set your priorities and boundaries to what you can and what you cannot do. Besides, choose your friends wisely. You may feel nervous to approach your classmates for their names, but remember that all of them are as curious as you are. So be confident and voice yourself. I also highly recommend joining a few clubs and societies. You’ll be able to make friends who share a common interest, making it easier to spark conversations. Setting up a good social network can help battle loneliness and homesickness during your first year at college. Moreover, look after your health. Without health, there won’t be college life. So, look after yourself by getting enough sleep, having a balanced diet, and regular exercise.
Last but not least, I wish you all the best in your studies.
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