By Kennedy Gilbert
It’s Sunday night, August 25, and you are sitting there scrolling through your phone right before bedtime to distract yourself from the dreaded day since being let out the past summer. It’s the first day tomorrow, and the alarm bells are ringing in your head. How am I getting to class? Where is my class? What do I wear? Who will I meet? Question after question is soaring through your mind. Now, if you are one of the rare few who are completely void of anxiety, then maybe this isn’t the case. But if you’re like me, the first week can be an absolute nightmare. Here’s how to deal with it.
For those who do struggle with anxiety, the trick is to get into the right headspace. Sometimes, going into something that is new and intimidating and accepting that it might just not be the easiest week of your life is key to overcoming the obstacle. According to the Mayo Clinic, there are a few simple tips to allow a person to cope when anxiety hits: Identify triggers, keep physically active, and make sleep a priority. I find that the last step is especially crucial when getting used to something new that might cause lots of butterflies in the stomach. Also, set a realistic expectation. Tell yourself, “Maybe I won’t find the professor to be agreeable right now, but as time goes on, I will adjust myself accordingly,” or “I don’t feel like I fit in with this group of people, but maybe once we start discussing more, I’ll find that we have something in common.” Accepting the now of the situation is the best way to power through. Keep in mind that The University of Tampa (UT) always has counseling services available to anyone who needs them. Don’t be afraid to ever reach out.
This might sound cliché, but be kind to yourself first. If you feel uncomfortable or out of your element, then take a step back and say to yourself, “It is normal that I feel this way; everything takes time to get used to.” I have found that when I’m in a new territory and learning new things, I get frustrated quickly because it takes me longer to get a hold of something. For example, I joined a theater class to help get me out of my shell. It was awkward the first day, and I felt like a fish out of water. I didn’t catch on immediately and didn’t embrace it at first. Say to yourself, “It is OKAY. I WILL BE OKAY.” If you feel that you need help getting adjusted, then there is always the option of UT’s Student Accessibility Services. It is a great way to get in touch with a staff member who can communicate with you based on your needs.
Now, this is going to be biased, but I think it’s worth including in here. Try your very best to speak to everybody you can. Any chance you have to interact with someone new — take it. I remember my freshman year, the first day ever, I came from the Thomas Parking Garage and got into the elevator with three random people. Every single one of them was staring down at their phones, so I decided to make the comment, being naive and brand new to college, “Is anybody else really nervous?” in a bubbly, high-pitched voice. I got three different reactions: One looked at me like I was from Mars, another said, “No, I’m a senior,” and the last one asked if I was a freshman and talked for a minute. The point is if you speak out, even if it’s awkward, there will always be different reactions. And who knows? You never know if you will meet your next friend. Ask people questions along the way. If you are confused about where a class is or if you are unsure about anything, just speak up. The worst you’ll get is the same look I got the day in the elevator. There’s an article in Psychology Today, and it gives advice on how to talk to literally anyone. Some of the recommended steps are as follows: “Be human,” “meet people’s physical needs,” and “tell people they’re doing a good job in a trying situation.” I find that when you offer people something like a piece of gum or a pencil in class, it helps a conversation to get started. Or try complimenting someone, whether it be what they are wearing or if they said something during class that resonated with you.
Go to events. This is something that I myself am very guilty of not doing. There is usually something going on every day and every night. Whatever your niche is, whether it’s chemistry or criminology, start joining clubs. You name it — there is a club for it. Also, become familiar with UT’s campus safety. It is a great resource for students to be aware of. The website says, “The University of Tampa’s Department of Campus Safety is dedicated to providing a safe and secure environment for the campus community.”
This might sound like a professor talking, but it is crucial, so LISTEN UP! Don’t be absent the first week of school; try not to skip even if it’s a class you aren’t fully committed to. Showing up in person and meeting the professor and the people in the class really makes a difference. Besides, it is no fun to already use up the number of limited absences the professor allows you all in one week. There is nothing worse than starting out behind.
No matter if you’re on campus or commuting, get there early. Starting the year with being on time puts you in a better mindset. Also, I think it’s always embarrassing to walk in late after the professor has started to lecture.
There are many, many more tips to consider, but these are just a few that really stand out. I wish good luck to everybody out there trying to make it through their first week of college. Just keep the head up and the shoulders high, and everything will fall into place.