Playing hacky sack outside of the Williams Villiage resident halls, freshmen open-option majors Nate Trujillo, Todd Kopf, Jack Woolf and Pat Twomey take some time off to relax Monday, Aug. 30. (CU Independent/Lauren Walter)
Making trips to the bookstore for overpriced textbooks, the excitement of seeing old friends and the confusion of finding rooms in obscure buildings are just some ways students are welcomed back to college.
For freshmen, this confusion amplifies the first day of class. There’s the fear of not making any friends and not finding all the rooms in all the right buildings. Freshmen spill to the CU Independent about some of their biggest fears for the upcoming year.
Independence
For many students, college represents the first time away from the constraints of parents. While some embrace this wholeheartedly, others say they feel a little apprehensive.
Lexie Cameron, a freshman integrated physiology major, said being on her own is definitely the scariest part of college. But for all the terror, there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
“I felt homesick for the first week but it’s getting better,” Cameron said.
The gift of independence comes with great responsibility, students say. It’s much easier to sleep through an 8 a.m. class or skip to go skiing, and this leads to another popular worry.
Failing out
College classes are inevitably more difficult than high school; professors are confusing and many times, a freshman is one face in a sea of others. These daunting realities lead many students to fear that “big red F” on a paper or a class at the end of a semester.
Olivia Perry, a freshman open-option major, said she’s “most scared of being dropped from [her] classes.”
Freshman year is a time to experiment with different kinds of classes. Don’t be afraid to take a class in something different, or stick with the path that most interests you. Taking interesting classes will make the likelihood of skipping or failing out much slimmer.
Seriously, fear not
Freshman year is an overwhelming time, but getting involved makes the transition from high school to college much easier. In college, one can do anything that interests them, whereas in high school, activities are often solely padding for college applications.
Becca Harter, a sophomore history major, said clubs played a pivotal role in her freshman experience.
“I’m glad I was told to go out and experience different clubs,” Harter said. “That way, you meet different people and get to experience the fullness of college.”
CU offers clubs for every passion: from Greek life and anime anonymous to religious organizations.
The Student Involvement Fair will be taking place on Wednesday, Sept. 8 near the UMC Fountain. Attend and find something to get passionate about!
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Caitlin McCluskey at Caitlin.mccluskey@colorado.edu.
