Hey there,
Firstly, congratulations on entering college and a fresh chapter of your lives. This time is going to change you in ways you can’t even imagine. I know you are feeling a mix of excitement, anxiety, curiosity and amusement. I felt the same way not too long ago so let this be a small reminder from one student to another- your journey is going to be filled with love, honesty and some of the best memories of your lives.
In the first few weeks, you will see groups forming, laughing in corridors, sharing instagram handles and forming bonds such that they’ve been there for years. So please remember you don’t have to rush to fit in. Everyone is figuring it out- some might know how to hide it better than others. The pressure to belong can be so loud that you forget to listen to your heart. So pause, listen to yourself. You’re not late to the party. You’re arriving in your own time and that is completely okay.
Please don’t think that you don’t have to dress a certain way, look a certain way, act a certain way and talk a certain way just because you’re in college now. There’s so much pressure to reinvent ourselves that we often lose the version of us we admire. You don’t have to trade your authenticity for others’ approval. I promise you, there’s someone that will laugh at every joke you make, listen to the same music as you, or even feels just as awkward at a party. And even if you don’t find them in the first year, trust me, you will find them, eventually. Trust the process.
Now, I know what us freshers crave and look forward to- COLLEGE FESTS. They’re chaotic, colorful and a whirlwind of memories waiting to stock your galleries. Join in if your heart feels excited and enthusiastic. It’s a great way to meet new people and discover parts of yourself that you didn’t even know existed. But if big and loud crowds are not your thing, that’s good too. There are a million ways to enjoy college and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
Some of the friendships will make your life magical and some might fade away too. That’s okay. You will learn to cherish the ones that stay and make peace with the ones that don’t. Let yourself grow through it all. Friendships in college aren’t about the number or a competition, they are about trust, companionship and presence.
And for those who are living away from home for the first time, things might feel overwhelming physically, mentally and even logistically. From laundry confusion to missing home-cooked food, and navigating local trains to feeling out of place at times- it’s okay. I promise. Slowly, this unfamiliar place will start to feel a little bit like home. Let it take time. You will find your rhythm. You will find your corner. You will find your way.
Saving the best for the last- academics. Sometimes the pressure builds up- attendance, internals, submissions, future plans- it can feel like a lot. Try not to let it define your entire existence but in saying so, don’t ignore it entirely- it matters. Do your best and seek help whenever and wherever you need to. Everyone is winging it, even the one who seems like they have everything figured out.
I know I have been talking about pressure a lot. But hey, if colleges teach you anything, then it’s how to handle pressure like a pro- sometimes it might be with a plan, sometimes with a breakdown or sometimes with a plate of life-changing momos. Most of all, be kind to others and to yourself.
College is not a race, it’s a slow bloom. Let yourself unfold, at your own pace, in your own time.
With immense love and luck,
Your fellow senior
(don’t worry i am still figuring it out too, just with better notes 😉)