BC Exec Team
Photography by Sarah Hackenburg
If you’re reading this, we’ve all been there.
The beginning of freshman year is a time of excitement and growth, but we know how difficult it can be, too. Whether it’s adjusting to the college workload, meeting new people, or navigating extracurriculars and clubs, the beginning of college can feel incredibly overwhelming. As students who have experienced the ups and downs of freshman year, we put together some words of encouragement and support for freshmen navigating this challenging (and exciting!) time. In this letter, we hope to encourage and uplift you as you begin your journey at Boston College!
It takes time to find your way in the new and unfamiliar environment of college. It doesn’t need to be an immediate adjustment. College is a journey, not a race. Each step, no matter how big or small, is progress!
When transitioning to college, the pressure to have the “perfect” college experience can feel overwhelming. Give yourself permission to experience things at your own pace.
Everyone’s path looks different, so try not to compare yours to anyone else's.
Give yourself some credit. Starting college isn’t easy. And you’re doing it.
Don’t be afraid to make mistakes! By making mistakes, you are giving yourself the opportunity to learn more.
You don’t have to make all of your friends as soon as possible! Sometimes the best friendships emerge when you least expect it.
It is ok to feel like you don’t belong. Lead with your authentic self and the rest will follow.
Stay anchored in who you are. Don’t fall to the pressure of morphing yourself into the person you feel like you need to be in order to fit in. Remain grounded in the values, goals, and passions that are central to your identity.
Remember that your existence is a gift to wherever you are and whoever you meet.
Schedule calls with the people that you love from home every once and a while. Your home friends who are also at college are probably feeling unsettled too. Under the guise of social media and quick “how are you?” texts, others are also struggling.
The people that you meet your first week of school may not be your perfect forever friend group, but be sure to appreciate the role they serve in your life. There is something to be said for transitional friendships.
Literally everyone around you is looking for connection. Ask the person next to you in class for their number to grab coffee, go to your RA events, look up from your phone when you’re walking to class. Your people are waiting for you, so go out and find them.
That being said, it’s okay to carve out time for yourself to take a break from people.
There is so much to take advantage of at Boston College! Go to the Hatchery, get involved in Campus Ministry, try new study spots, sign up for a workout class at the Plex, go on retreats and service trips, play intramural sports, try a hike with Outdoor Adventures, go to speaker events and theatre productions.
It never hurts to put yourself out there, even if it’s scary. Find spaces on campus that make you feel like yourself!
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. There are resources available here at BC to support you. Engage with all that the Murray Center for Student Wellness has to offer. Seek therapy, group counseling, and same-day services at University Counseling (located in Gasson 001). There are people there to support and advocate for you.
As difficult as freshman year may be, this time of turbulence and transition will pass. Let us serve as living proof that your future here at BC is full of hope. The IfYoureReadingThis BC community is here beside you, every step of the way.
IYRT Exec. Team, Boston College
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To follow IfYoureReadingThis at Boston College on Instagram, get in touch with our chapter, and learn about more resources available to Boston College students, visit our chapter’s homepage.
