Tufts Blogs

Now that I’m in my second semester of sophomore year, I find myself frequently reflecting on how I feel compared to freshman year. I never would’ve expected how much being on my own with people in the similar boat as me would change me - for the better. I’ve spent close to two years on this campus, learning how to be more independent and active, how to stand up for myself and hold myself accountable to my standards, how to laugh and relax with the people around me, and just letting myself be comfortable as a quasi-adult still figuring out my path in this world. 

Freshman year was pretty challenging. I was anxious about figuring out my way in this confusing new setting, building up a new social circle, all while keeping up with classes and worrying about my bank account! If I had to go back to that very first day of college, where I hugged my parents goodbye as I set off to join my pre-orientation group, I would give you several tips: 

Tip #1: Relax and enjoy. No one is going to have their whole daily schedule/college extracurriculars/career path figured out from the first day, week, or even a few months. Cliche as it sounds, we’re all in the same boat, figuring out life on our own for the first time. Take your time! Every weekend, after a long busy week, de-stress by going to fun events like performances, sports, or entertainment organized by the Tufts University Social Collective (TUSC). Go out to various places in Boston or have fun in the dorms, playing games like my friend group does. 

Tip #2: Talk to people. The simplest ways to mitigate these feelings of missing out and loneliness is to be friendly and reach out to people, especially people in your classes, those you share the same majors with, or people with similar hobbies and interests. The social transition to college isn’t always easy, but just having people to hang out with and talk with will help you focus on other aspects of your life, like your physical and mental health, and a day-to-day homework schedule.

Tip #3: Remember your priorities. Your physical and mental health always come first, so don’t forget to eat consistently, get enough sleep, and exercise frequently. Develop a good routine to keep yourself on track, such as allotting time to doing homework early. It’s okay to get help if you’re really stuck and review material if you feel like you don’t have a good grasp on it. Sometimes, if you’re really busy one night, say no to hanging out with friends. More fun times await down the road. 

Tip #4: Find a community on campus and throw yourself into passions that you love. One of my favorite clubs on campus is the Tufts Robotics Club. I did robotics in high school, and I loved the community that robotics brought, so I joined the club my freshman year, and the amazing community has led me to stay. I’m currently on its executive board, and I can’t wait for the fun events we’re planning. 

These tips are all universally applicable to any college student, but they really help! If I had followed these tips, my freshman year would definitely have been a lot smoother. To whoever’s reading this and feeling a little lost, don’t worry - it’ll get better. I hope you can take some of the advice here and apply it to your life!