Blog post 4
As I am now entering my 6th week of school, I feel as though I am experiencing a lot of what Sarah is going through. Like her, I came into college with confidence and excitement but also a little nervous about stepping into the real world for the first time by myself. The first thing I found myself having to get adjusted to were my classes. Compared to high school, college is faster paced, and it is all up to you to stay on top of your work. It required a level of independence that I wasn’t quite ready for as I was so used to being reminded by my teachers when assignments were due and I’ve already found myself struggling to keep up at times. Another thing I find myself struggling to balance is my social life. But as Sarah did, I’ve learned that reaching out for help makes a huge difference. Something I experienced that was different than what Sarah went through was her roommate struggles. I love my roommates. You could say I lucked out; we all get along very well and there haven’t been any arguments or disagreements so far. We actually had this conversation, me and my three other roommates, we agreed that we are all so understanding that all we have to do is discuss things or ask to borrow things and so far, it’s worked out amazingly. Something I find myself mirroring Sarah’s experience is the feeling of being with friends from back home. I miss them. As much as I am excited to go home for the holidays, I find myself getting uneasy. Like Sarah, I can’t wait to see my family and catch up but I’m scared that when I come back after break, I’ll feel like I’m starting all over. I’m scared I’ll lose all the progress I’ve made so far. However, I am also confident that I will be able to handle it better than the first time now that I have experienced the struggles firsthand. Being in college has helped me find balance. It has helped me gain the independence I didn’t have, and it has taught me that the challenges never stop, you just learn to overcome them better over time.
Hey Autumn,
I like how honestly you described the mix of emotions that come with starting college, like being excited, nervous, and unsure all at once. Like her, you came in ready to take on a new chapter but quickly realized that independence isn’t as easy as it sounds. The way you talk about adjusting to college classes and managing your own time shows how you’re learning to take responsibility, just as Sarah had to. I, myself, can really also relate to that. I am still trying to find that perfect balance between school time and personal time. I feel as if I have a good handle on it but it could definitely be better. I also appreciate how you pointed out the difference in your roommate experience. In the book, Sarah’s roommate problems caused her a lot of stress and made her feel isolated at times. It is very nice that your situation is quite the opposite. I do find myself relating more so to Sarah though. My roommates are decent for the most part but they are very messy and a couple of them loud. Where Sarah and I had to learn how to speak up and set boundaries, you’re already in an environment that supports open communication and mutual respect. That’s a big advantage, and it probably helps you feel more at home while adjusting to everything else. The part of your post where you talked about missing your friends from home felt especially relatable. I am lucky in that I am able to go back home basically whenever I want. I have been back home multiple times to see my friends and my boyfriend, Anthony. While I do enjoy my weekends back home, I can’t wait to go back home for a longer period of time for the holidays. I have not had the best of luck making friends here, so when I am at school, I yearn to go back home to where I feel a sense of belonging. A huge thanks to Anthony for that belonging feeling. For a while, I did feel like I didn’t belong at neither Longwood nor back home, but he has assured me that there is at least one place where I am not just welcomed but celebrated. I hope that college just keeps getting easier and easier for you and remain in good standings with your roommates.