When we as students set out on a new academic journey in our lives, we first get excited over all the possibilities this venture may produce. Exploring uncharted territory, introducing ourselves to different people, carving our individual path along this road of knowledge can make our wheels turn with delight.
We tend to also let the worst possibilities of our upcoming experience seep into our minds as well. What if I don’t know where I am going? Will the other students relate to me? If I don’t pass my classes then I’ll be nothing but a failure. These are some of the thoughts of uncertainty that may arise with a student entering an unfamiliar institution.
Students may feel uneasy about being a freshman and their choice to attend college. It’s not until they ask their first question in a big class, start chatting with a fellow classmate, receive some positive feedback from a teacher that their experience really starts to flourish. A sense of belonging will help ease a student’s insecurities about being a new face in the crowd of strangers.
Walking through Delaware County Community College’s doors again, after a sixteen year hiatus, brought all of these emotions up for me. The excitement of getting a degree and making more money blinded me from the reality of it all. Looking around and realizing that I’m older than most in my class and not as computer savvy really set me into a state of panic. Finding the time to balance all of my school work along with my other responsibilities has been quite the challenge.
Although I still lack the skills for some assignments, I’m feeling a little more confident in week five. My classmates have been extremely helpful making my journey through college a bit less intimidating. As a returning student I’m starting to carve my path to a better future with ease now that my fears have subsided.
We tend to also let the worst possibilities of our upcoming experience seep into our minds as well. What if I don’t know where I am going? Will the other students relate to me? If I don’t pass my classes then I’ll be nothing but a failure. These are some of the thoughts of uncertainty that may arise with a student entering an unfamiliar institution.
Students may feel uneasy about being a freshman and their choice to attend college. It’s not until they ask their first question in a big class, start chatting with a fellow classmate, receive some positive feedback from a teacher that their experience really starts to flourish. A sense of belonging will help ease a student’s insecurities about being a new face in the crowd of strangers.
Walking through Delaware County Community College’s doors again, after a sixteen year hiatus, brought all of these emotions up for me. The excitement of getting a degree and making more money blinded me from the reality of it all. Looking around and realizing that I’m older than most in my class and not as computer savvy really set me into a state of panic. Finding the time to balance all of my school work along with my other responsibilities has been quite the challenge.
Although I still lack the skills for some assignments, I’m feeling a little more confident in week five. My classmates have been extremely helpful making my journey through college a bit less intimidating. As a returning student I’m starting to carve my path to a better future with ease now that my fears have subsided.