As we approach the end of the semester, it’s time for freshmen students to settle in and figure out what they are going to do for the rest of their years in college… or is that not how it works? If you have no idea what you want to do, are unsure if college is for you or have had an overwhelming overall experience, you might be surprised to realize you are not alone.
I am currently a freshman and someone who stepped foot into campus having zero expectations for the future. I also had no prior experience when it came to socializing with my peers, because I was homeschooled for the entirety of my high school career. A common misconception of being homeschooled is that college life will feel very scary and new.
While “new” was definitely true, I was excited to finally be away from home, have the opportunity to write in physical notebooks and get off of a screen every moment of the day. After coming to Eastern, I experienced a lot of isolation which, as an introvert, I felt I couldn’t escape. Regardless, the campus life and daily walks to class have made me feel I’ve finally found a source of happiness; I remember calling my mom two weeks in and saying that this is where I belong.
However, the story isn’t the same for everyone. In fact, you might be having doubts that a studious life is for you. Cole Tarapchak, a freshman criminal justice major, says that he came to Eastern primarily to play football. When he first came to Eastern, he also felt very alone. Tarapchak mentioned that he felt like everyone had their lives put together and planned except for him. He also said he visited The Cushing Center for Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) which helped him a lot by reassuring him that he wasn’t alone and that freshmen are “all on the same boat.”
It’s important to know that just because you’ve gone to a college doesn’t mean that the place is meant for you, and if you’re having doubts, you can and should consider other options. Perhaps you’re like Tarapchak, who realized after this semester that college was not for him. When asked what his next plans were, Tarapchak said he was looking into “either trade school or (going) straight into the union.” While he feels sad to leave the friends he’s made and the sport he loves, Tarapchak mentioned feeling excited for the opportunities that are available to him.
Although attending a university wasn’t for Tarapchak, it might be what’s meant for other people. Faith Hope, a freshman social work major and education minor has had plenty of experiences during her time at Eastern thus far. From dropping a class to switching her major, Faith now seems sure of her goals for the future.
“The first semester has been an adventure,” Hope said. When it comes to Eastern itself, she claimed she “sort of knew” what she was getting into, because her mom graduated from here which, according to Hope, gave her a glimpse of what her next four years could look like. Although she mentioned facing several obstacles, her primary struggle has been adjusting to having a roommate, which is normal, especially for an only child like Hope. She also struggled with being a student on campus with a disability. Faith says that during her time in high school, very limited academic resources were available to her, and learning was a struggle. She says that Eastern offers so much more than that, and she is still learning to utilize all the resources to which she has been given access.
Hope and Tarapchak want to spread the message that regardless of your current stage, you are not alone, and that it’s okay to not have everything figured out just yet. When asked about her struggles in class, Hope mentioned that she believes there isn’t a single freshman who isn’t struggling with at least something. “Everyone is struggling right now; be more confident,” she said.
When deciding between committing to Eastern over another school, Hope visited them both a few times. On a random day, she noticed how, in one setting, the students looked gloomy compared to Eastern, which seemed to have so many groups of smiling faces. Hope described turning to her mother and saying, “This is home for me now, I’m going to be okay.”
Like Hope and the others, you too are going to be okay. Regardless of your future goals, you have time to make those decisions. Don’t let the stress overwhelm you, and don’t be afraid to reach out. Eastern has proven to provide genuine support through their advisors who are there for you no matter what path you feel is best. If Eastern, or even college as a whole, is not for you, that is okay. So, freshmen, how are you feeling?
Author is Matt Wichocki – Matheus.wichocki@eastern.edu