If I could rewind to last August and start my freshman year over again, I wish I could have known several things.

First, college is far less complex than we have been led to believe, and second, you don’t need to have everything about your major, social group and extracurricular activities figured out immediately upon arriving on campus.

Young people are being bombarded with information about how to succeed in college, and the abundance of information is overwhelming.

Everywhere we turn, people are offering advice on how to balance our social life and academics, the best items for a dorm room, dealing with homesickness and — especially for us Orangemen and women — how to dress for the cold weather.

Rubber or leather boots? I’m still not sure.

And for the questions we still feel are left unanswered, we can always turn to our trusty sidekick Google or start discussions on our Facebook class page.

Books like “College for Dummies” or “The Naked Roommate” are even available to provide advice on everything from academics to handling bad roommates.

Yet even with these various platforms, the endless stream of advice becomes too much to handle. It ends up doing more harm than good.

The advice creates expectations that are almost too high for us to achieve. It makes us feel anxious and forces us to believe college is a complicated path filled with endless twists and blind turns.

But by taking a moment to tune out the many voices, books and websites, you will realize that it’s not as complicated as it’s made out to be.

After all, a college guidebook can’t prepare you for the personal evolution you will encounter in college.

One of the most important lessons of higher education — and the only way to thrive throughout undergrad — is being able to withstand the many changes you will undergo.

It is vital to know that even if things do not go according to your formerly well-laid plan — inside or outside of the classroom — you’re still on track.

After all, college is a continuous lesson in strengthening your decision-making skills and preparing you for the next phase of life more than anything else.

Whether you are a first-generation college student, an SU legacy or if you identify with a group that is underrepresented in higher education, realize that you are here for a purpose. That purpose is to connect with individuals from all around the world as you take steps every day to push yourself and pursue your passions.

SU is filled with resources to guide incoming students toward reaching their goals. Peer advisors in home colleges serve as role models and help freshmen adjust to the academic climate of the university. There are mentoring programs like OrangeSeeds, the first-year leadership empowerment program, and the nationally recognized WellsLink Leadership Program offered by the Office of Multicultural Affairs.

As you take your first steps across the Quad as an official student of Syracuse University, realize that you have a unique opportunity ahead of you to grow as an intellectual and an individual, to have the time of your life and — most importantly — discover how you can be of service to the world.

Nina Rodgers is a sophomore sociology major. Her column appears weekly. She can be reached at nmrodger@syr.edu. 

 

Published on August 21, 2013 at 2:00 am