5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting College

by Brice Moeller, TRIO SSS Peer Mentor

Starting your college as a freshman student can be a scary experience in our life, especially if you are a first-generation student like me. Understanding what you need could feel like throwing a dart in the dark. With the power of retrospection, here are a few things that I wish I knew before starting college.

• You are an adult now. Your instructors will treat and respect you as an adult; you may not be reminded about homework and due dates due to the responsibility being delegated to you.

• You don’t have to deal with your struggles alone just because you are an adult and you may be receiving more responsibilities. You don’t have to go through your personal and academic obstacles and hurdles alone. There will be people in your college career who are there to support and uplift you.

• I wish I learned more about campus resources; there are so many opportunities to make your life easier. There is always someone who is always just a few minutes away that can teach you about resources and services that will boost your experience.

• Most people won’t be annoyed when you try to spark a conversation, especially if the conversation is about something the other person is passionate about. Some people may look like they will dismiss you immediately, but this isn’t always the case. While it’s true you will occasionally be unable to spark a conversation, this isn’t something that should discourage you.

• Your instructors/professors really do want you to succeed. Some professors get bored at office hours becomes people don’t show up much. If you ever need help, whether is a small clarification or help understanding homework questions, your professors are there to help.