Charlie Melville
Charlie Melville
You’ve just finished your very first semester at college, and after 18 credit hours of challenging classes you’re anxiously waiting for your grades to pop up on MyPack. “Maybe if I refresh it now my grades will be there.” Finally, after hours of glancing at your phone and refreshing your browser, the final grades are in. You did it. You made the Dean’s List.
But at what cost?
Before heading to college, we all hear horror stories of kids who party way too often and get kicked out of school for having bad grades. However, horror stories are rarely told of students who get great grades, but are so focused on school that they don’t meet new people. Maintaining a balance between school time and time for yourself is far easier said than done, especially when you are a first-year student who’s just trying to get used to being a part of our red and white community.
During my first semester here at State, I struggled to find my balance. I practically lived in D.H. Hill Library and I was constantly worried about making the Dean’s List, which meant I could never fully escape the cloud of stress that hung over my head. However, there was a silver lining to such a tough semester. I learned pretty quickly what not to do as a first-year college student. So in the interest of saving my fellow students’ valuable time, here are a few pointers to make your first semester more enjoyable than mine was.
First off, make sure you don’t bite off more than you can chew. One of the massive benefits of college is you get to choose what classes you want to take, so make sure you do some research on the classes you need prior to registration. I didn’t do my research, and as a result I was put into my classes by an advisor, who put me down for 18 credit hours. It turned out to be way more than I could handle, and I had virtually no free time. I wouldn’t advise taking 18 credit hours your first semester unless you know exactly what you’re getting into.
Second, make time for yourself. Classes are super important, but so is your sanity. If you want to be an efficient college student, you need to take a breather every so often. An effective way to lock in this you-time is to take at least one class per semester that you know you’ll enjoy. NC State has so many fun and interesting classes to choose from, and it is OK if one of your classes does not count toward your major. For example, this semester I am taking a bagpiping class (yes, we have that) and I leave Price Music Center every Thursday night feeling content with having spent two hours doing something I enjoy with people I enjoy being with.
Speaking of being with people, try not to be a hermit. Meeting new people can be scary sometimes, especially for new students. It’s definitely easier to lock yourself in your dorm room all day, but it’s important to make an effort to reach out in any way you can. College is the time to step out of your comfort zone and try new things, so apply for a job doing something you enjoy, take classes you wouldn’t normally take or join clubs. You’ll meet interesting new people along the way, I promise.
Many of the clubs here at NC State are athletic-based, and exercise is a wonderful way to relieve stress. You can do what I did this semester and take an HESF class in something you’ve always wanted to try but never had the time for. Or if you played soccer or ran cross country in high school but aren’t varsity material, there are clubs you can join that still have a competitive aspect to them and aren’t as intense as being on a varsity team. It’s important to stay in touch with who you were before you started college, and participating in some of the same activities is a great way to do that.
Also, don’t forget to stay in touch with your friends from back home. Meeting new people is awesome, but it’s always comforting to see a familiar face, and your friends will be relieved to know you haven’t forgotten about them in the midst of all the change in your life. I make my best effort to text or FaceTime friends and family at least once a week to check in on them and to update them on how I’m doing.
My first semester at NC State, although challenging, really opened my eyes to how I can make better use of my time. This semester I’m exercising more often, spending more time with friends and making more time for the things I’m passionate about. Having more me-time has made me a happier person and a far more enthusiastic student than I was last semester.
So, while it’s definitely important to make good grades, don’t miss out on the wonderful opportunities that NC State has to offer in the process. If you work hard, be yourself, step out of your comfort zone a little and remember to breathe, you’ll have the makings of a successful and enjoyable first year of college.