So, you’re going to start college soon.
That can be pretty exciting and terrifying both at once. It’s ok to feel either way, because it definitely is a different level from high school. I started off excited to go but very sad to have to leave home. But first, a little about me. I graduated from Spring Mills High School in Martinsburg, WV. I’m currently a junior in the Histotechnology track of Medical Laboratory Science program. When the time came for applying to college, I was a little lost. I hadn’t put too much thought into what I wanted to study, but I knew I wanted to pursue something in medicine. Fast forward to now, and I could not be happier with my choice!
When you start out your first semester, you may feel overwhelmed when looking at the courses you’re taking, and that’s perfectly normal! The first thing you want to do is to make sure you go to class! You never know what may be talked about that could help you in the long run. In between classes, I would go to the Lair to hang out with my friends or to the library to get ahead on any homework I may have. I think that it’s great to get ahead of homework between classes, because I consider those gaps as work time as well! Plus, if you get make progress or even finish your work, you free up your time after your classes! Something very important to mention is that if you ever feel like you need some help with a class, don’t be afraid to seek out tutoring! There is no shame in taking charge of your class and putting in a little bit of extra work. When I took chemistry during my first semester, I went to the testWELL Learning Center at Lincoln Hall every week to better understand some of the tricky concepts. It definitely helped me because I ended up scoring high on every exam!
One thing that probably sits in the back of your head is the thought of going to further schooling after your undergrad. It seems so far away, but then eventually the time comes when you have to start thinking about applying. Whether you want to start looking into building your resume or ease into your first year, remember that you have time! I took my freshman year to get used to being away from home and the course load. I want to go to dental school, so I made sure to put my grades first! Once sophomore year rolled around, I began to get involved in some community service and even joined the service organizations through my major, Mu Tau and Navigators! There are many clubs and organizations all around campus, including through many majors, so there are many opportunities to seek out once you feel ready! One activity that I recommend is tutoring. I currently tutor through Student-Athlete Development and enjoy it very much! It’s great to be able to help out someone with a class you’re comfortable with, and it shows great leadership!
That’s all my take on starting college off strong, but the most important thing to remember is to take care of yourself. Whether it be by sitting down to watch TV or hitting the gym, always make time for yourself. Even taking a small break or a nap can really help clear your head. It’s important to have some fun, too! With that being said, I hope you enjoy your time at WVU!