4 answers
jaden
Student
Miami Gardens, Florida
8
Questions
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What was your 1st year in college like?
I'm in high school i will be graduating this year #high-school-classes #high-school-classes #career-choice
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4 answers
Stephen Scaringella
Technology Executive
21
Answers
Holliston, Massachusetts
Updated
Stephen’s Answer
Hi Jaden,
My college journey happened a long time ago, but the experiences are the same. I left home and went to a college 4 hours away, so a good enough distance that I wasn't tempted to travel home on the weekends. I was excited to be independent, meet new friends, embrace the college experience and learn about engineering, the career I wanted to pursue. Handling the independence and time management was probably the biggest adjustments to make. The only structure to your day is your class schedule, other than that you are responsible to manage that time yourself. So if you are used to having structure and having parents and teachers remind you to get your work done, that is the biggest thing to overcome.
Best of luck!
My college journey happened a long time ago, but the experiences are the same. I left home and went to a college 4 hours away, so a good enough distance that I wasn't tempted to travel home on the weekends. I was excited to be independent, meet new friends, embrace the college experience and learn about engineering, the career I wanted to pursue. Handling the independence and time management was probably the biggest adjustments to make. The only structure to your day is your class schedule, other than that you are responsible to manage that time yourself. So if you are used to having structure and having parents and teachers remind you to get your work done, that is the biggest thing to overcome.
Best of luck!
Phil Nguyen
Senior Software Engineer
8
Answers
Portland, Oregon
Updated
Phil’s Answer
My first 2 years in college was at a community college, so I definitely missed out on the living-on-campus experience. I then transferred into a 4-year university where I studied more of the core material for my major (Computer Science).
While I missed out on the campus experience, I am >very< grateful for not having the mountain of student loan debt that I could've potentially had.
I was able to cover the more general courses at the community college and transfer all (or most) of those credits to the 4-year university I got into. I really enjoyed this route and I believe it's the most efficient, cost and benefits wise.
While I missed out on the campus experience, I am >very< grateful for not having the mountain of student loan debt that I could've potentially had.
I was able to cover the more general courses at the community college and transfer all (or most) of those credits to the 4-year university I got into. I really enjoyed this route and I believe it's the most efficient, cost and benefits wise.
Luis Bricenio
Senior PeopleOps Specialist
25
Answers
Gresham, Oregon
Updated
Luis’s Answer
Hi Jaden!
The first year of college is usually a big eye opener. I think the keyword of first year of college is independence. Mainly because a lot of your tasks, projects, will be self directed without having teachers on your back asking you to turn something in. But it also does bring light to meeting a lot of new people and even maturing as time goes.
The first year of college is usually a big eye opener. I think the keyword of first year of college is independence. Mainly because a lot of your tasks, projects, will be self directed without having teachers on your back asking you to turn something in. But it also does bring light to meeting a lot of new people and even maturing as time goes.
Lacy Holland
Services Sales
2
Answers
Yukon, Oklahoma
Updated
Lacy’s Answer
Jaden,
My first year of college was exciting and terrifying. I had no idea what it meant to be an independent adult, and having to do paperwork and fill out things on my own terrified me. I also took 26 hours because I didn't understand what type of commitment that was. I made so many friends for life and I really learned how to step out of my comfort zone. Handling independence is extremely difficult, so before you go, make a list of things you want from college, and a list of things you want to remain the same. College experience is really about stepping out of your comfort zones and the effort you put into your classes, activities and relationships. The time goes so fast, and I'm sure it is very different now than when I went, but you determine the experience you have. I learned very quickly that i needed to schedule my classes from 10 am - 4pm because i have a problem saying no to people , I valued my sleep, and the computer lab was emptier at night (yep no one really had their own computers back then). Be prepared to be adaptable, expect hurdles, and know there are 100's of other kids with the same struggles that you will face, and it's really a great time to network and bond with other humans.
meet with your appointed school counselor and get a mentor.
network as much as possible
step out of your comfort zone and try new experiences
Take classes that excite and challenge you
My first year of college was exciting and terrifying. I had no idea what it meant to be an independent adult, and having to do paperwork and fill out things on my own terrified me. I also took 26 hours because I didn't understand what type of commitment that was. I made so many friends for life and I really learned how to step out of my comfort zone. Handling independence is extremely difficult, so before you go, make a list of things you want from college, and a list of things you want to remain the same. College experience is really about stepping out of your comfort zones and the effort you put into your classes, activities and relationships. The time goes so fast, and I'm sure it is very different now than when I went, but you determine the experience you have. I learned very quickly that i needed to schedule my classes from 10 am - 4pm because i have a problem saying no to people , I valued my sleep, and the computer lab was emptier at night (yep no one really had their own computers back then). Be prepared to be adaptable, expect hurdles, and know there are 100's of other kids with the same struggles that you will face, and it's really a great time to network and bond with other humans.
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