By: Julie Dannevig
Heading into my freshman year of college in 2019, I was an unconfident teenager who knew little about life outside my hometown that I had become accustomed to throughout the first 18 years of my life. I was daunted by such a significant change and was unsure how to navigate a new state amidst a sea of strangers. Anticipating this next chapter of my life, I felt an anxiety-inducing combination of unpreparedness and excitement for months leading up to move-in day. Yet, behind all of the stress, I had high hopes and expectations for my freshman year. I envisioned myself meeting my new best friends and feeling a sense of unadulterated freedom for the first time. However, this storybook vision was not to be my reality. Instead, I found myself feeling very alone, missing my family, my hometown friends, and showering without flip-flops.
Transferring to UMass in the fall of 2020 for my sophomore year proved to be a rewarding and fulfilling transition, despite the altered state of mid-pandemic life. Finding my place on campus this semester has granted me a long-awaited sense of comfort and community, disproving the bleak discontentment that I had grown to believe was really an unspoken norm for college students. Nevertheless, going into a new school with few friends and a pessimistic mindset was a challenge that came with many ups-and-downs. Being thrown into a large community where everyone seems to have a pre-existing friend group and routine can be discouraging. Yet, I have discovered that the UMass campus community is indescribably welcoming and there are many unexpected opportunities to get involved which I am eager to share.
Be Open Minded:
I can confidently say that everyone on this campus has something positive to offer and is worth talking to. Whether it be a new friendship, a professor who gives you a project extension or just a friendly smile in the dining hall, it is so important to be open-minded and friendly whenever you can. I made it a point to push myself out of my comfort zone and approach this semester with an ongoing goal to take any opportunity I have to meet new people. College can feel lonely at times, so it is comforting to have relationships with peers who make you feel welcomed in the UMass community. Some unexpectedly easy places to meet new people are in the bathroom of your dorm and in Zoom breakout rooms. Utilize these commonly shared spaces to strike up conversations and strive to find similarities with anyone and everyone; you never know who you might meet.
Take Time for Yourself:
Going into a new environment easily becomes overstimulating and is often a driver for stress and exhaustion. To ground myself after a busy day or a tedious exam, I enjoy going on walks around campus when the weather is nice or taking time to eat a meal alone in my room. With the pressures of meeting new people, trying to remain active and staying on top of schoolwork, it is very easy to overextend yourself, so it is important to be aware of your mental state and take time out of the day to relax. Call your friends and family or watch a movie in your bed, prioritizing even small mundane breaks can be immeasurably therapeutic.
Get Involved:
This campus offers so many opportunities to get involved, regardless of what your interests are. There are recreational sports teams, clubs, jobs and events that are designed to bring the community together and get you out of your dorm. For my first semester on campus, I joined Isenberg Women in Business, a recreational soccer team, and I often take group classes at the Rec Center. Even with a busy schedule, taking advantage of the campus offerings is a worthwhile, low commitment way to have fun and take a step away from school work.