Believing in the person you are: academics and social life
By Isabella Tricarico
When first entering college, there are a lot of things that may seem uncomfortable. We are thrown into a new environment where we may not know anyone at all. Making new friends while also completing rigorous classes can start to feel overwhelming.
I became consumed by my workload and making new friends during my freshman year. At the time, I lost sight of the person I was. However, when I took a step back, I looked at the bigger picture. I started to believe that the friends and good grades I was striving for would fall into place. Though believing in myself in these moments was not an easy thing to do, it was essential. We are our worst critics, and sometimes we allow our insecurities and negative emotions to get the best of us.
Forming new relationships in college can be intimidating, but friends help each other become the best version of themselves. As a freshman, I constantly asked myself if I was good enough to be someone’s friend. If these thoughts ever cross your mind, know that you are not alone, and remember that you are good enough; your natural qualities are amazing and will attract many wonderful people. Adopting the mindset that you are worthy is crucial. Once you believe in the qualities that make you you, you will find people who are not only similar to you, but who will become lifelong friends. A technique that helped me to believe in my ability to form new friendships was writing down the qualities that make me a good friend. I started by thinking about myself in a positive light. Writing down these qualities helped me understand the qualities I also look for in a friend. Surrounding yourself with people who have characteristics you love and admire will constantly remind you that you are worthy of forming healthy and positive friendships.
Another adjustment to college life is the rigor of academics. College courses may be very different from those in high school, and it takes time to get used to. Now is your time to explore all the classes you are interested in and find what you are passionate about. This can be stressful, as you may not know what you want to do, but that is okay. Allow yourself time to explore, and don’t feel that you need to figure out your life or future career immediately. While adjusting to the rigor of classes, remember that college is a learning curve, and as you continue, you adapt to a schedule and routine that works best for you. I did not have a routine during the first semester of my freshman year, and I studied the way I did in high school. However, I found that my old studying routine was no longer efficient, and I lost confidence in my school work. To solve this, I decided to change my routine, and I found new studying techniques that worked well for me. I discovered that rewriting my notes on paper helped me thoroughly understand the material. I started making quizlets for every topic on the test; that way, I rewrote the material in question form and created possible test questions in my head to think about the material differently. These were small ways that suited my new academic needs in college.
In college, forming relationships and maintaining good grades is essential. However, your mental health is most important, and you need to rest to keep a healthy mind. Your mind is a powerful place and keeping it healthy is essential to maintaining your happiness. Little steps to take care of yourself and speak positively about yourself will slowly but surely restore the confidence you have within yourself.
Believing in yourself means believing that you are worthy of everything you have in your life. You are where you are meant to be, and as long as you stay true to yourself, everything else will fall into place. Your friends will cherish the qualities that make up your personality, and you are capable of adjusting to the college workload. This semester, believe in the person you are.
