Facing
Freshman Fears
by
Jodi Helmer
After
perfecting your GPA, getting through the
SATs, and meticulously filling out college
applications, you've finally received an
acceptance letter. Suddenly the college
life you've dreamed of is about to become
reality, but you're a little scared. Why?
You're about to become the new kid on campus.
Regina Largent, director of the Shepard
Freshman Resource Center at the University
of Portland (UP), Portland, OR, helps hundreds
of incoming freshmen adjust to their first
year of college. "College is a new
experience," says Largent, adding that
it's completely natural to feel overwhelmed.
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"I'm working on keeping a budget
now so it will be easier once [I'm at]
college," says high school senior
Jeremy. |
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| Ithaca
College freshman Rhett was homesick
at first, until he gave himself an opportunity
to meet new people. |
Dollar
Dilemmas
If
you're like many soon-to-be freshmen, worrying
about paying for college begins soon after
the acceptance letter arrives. "It
was a struggle to get here," says Stephanie
Boettcher, a first-year student at UP, referring
to the huge financial commitment she had
to make in order to attend the out-of-state
school. To help pay for her education, Stephanie
applied for several scholarships, took out
student loans, and landed a part-time job.
Finding
the money to pay tuition isn't the only
financial struggle freshmen face. Managing
money is often an even bigger scare, but
Largent says it's never too late to learn.
In addition to taking a personal finance
class and asking your parents for pointers,
Largent suggests you keep a budget in high
school.
In
fact, that tactic is working for Jeremy
Francis, a high school senior in Sunderland,
Ontario, Canada. Jeremy's employed at two
jobs to help pay next year's tuition at
Sir Sanford Fleming College, Peterborough,
Ontario, and says, "I'm working on
keeping a budget now so it will be easier
once [I'm at] college."
Academic
Angst
Having
tackled one fear head on, Jeremy says he's
still worried about acing his academics.
Everything from getting good grades to finding
time for homework is cause for concern.
"I don't know where I'll fit it all
in," he says.
Anxiety
over academic performance is common, says
Largent. She advises you not be afraid to
seek help and ask professors questions about
material you don't understand, or work with
a peer in a study group. Largent also suggests
taking advantage of on-campus tutoring and
learning centers.
Major
Worries
Becky
Lundberg, a National Merit Finalist from
Cherry Valley, IL, is confident she can
handle the workload, but the high school
senior is worried about picking a major.
"I'm thinking of political science
or international affairs with a minor in
French, but I'm not going to commit to anything
too soon."
According
to Largent, most students change their majors
at least three times before their junior
year. Instead of focusing on a major strictly
because it might lead to a high-paying job
after graduation, Largent encourages students
to pick an area of study they're passionate
about.
"This
is the chance of your life to study something
just to learn about it. [Plus], you're going
to do it for four years. It's easier to
make good grades if you care about what
you're studying," she says.
Homesickness
Hype
Somewhere
between funding your education and studying,
it's important to make new friends. Rhett
Mitter, a freshman at Ithaca College, Ithaca,
NY, says meeting new people was a challenge.
"It was harder than I thought to be
away from home," he says. "For
the first couple of months I spent a lot
of time calling home and making weekend
trips to see my family."
Largent
says it's normal to miss family and friends,
but adds that creating a new support system
is essential to your collegiate success.
To do this, she encourages freshmen to stay
on campus and get involved in activities
like intramural sports or campus clubs.
That's
exactly what Rhett did. He returned to school
after Thanksgiving break and started making
new friends with those who had similar interests.
"It's a lot better now," he says,
admitting that he's glad he stuck it out.
Whether
you're worried about getting good grades
and paying the bills, or making new friends
and wondering how you're going to live with
a roommate, rest assured that you're not
alone. College is a whole new world and
you've just earned your passport, so buckle
up and enjoy the scholastic ride!
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