While the end of July approaches, the last gasps of summer make way for thoughts and dreams of college life.
Some Vandals may be returning for their second, third or fourth year, while others may be anxiously waiting at home, nervous for their first steps onto the Moscow campus as an official University of Idaho student.
Looking back on our time as Vandals, it can be easy to lump all freshmen into a single category: graduating high school seniors with little to no idea on how to approach life in college.
However, throughout the years, UI has seen students from many walks of life grace the sidewalks of campus, and no two first-year students are quite alike.
Students come in with entirely unique mindsets and experiences that have shaped their lives, and therefore, it can be difficult to offer advice on how to best approach this new chapter of education.
The best we can do is draw from our own experiences, and hopefully offer a glimpse into what life as a Vandal may look like for future generations that choose to don the Silver and Gold.
First, plan for change. All too often, eager freshmen approach their studies with a concrete idea of their educational journey. Four-year plans are drawn up, credits are calculated, and it can feel like the end is already in sight.
In reality, those plans rarely reach fruition. College is about discovery, both in education and internal exploration. Don’t be surprised to discover that one degree is a completely wrong fit, while another area of study seems like destiny.
Despite what students sometimes hear, change can be a good thing, and it can come in many different shapes and sizes. Sometimes the best course of action is to go back to the drawing board and start fresh.
To prepare for inevitable change, broaden horizons and explore every nook and cranny of your interests. Take as many introductory courses as possible, dipping your toes into as many educational pools as your schedule will allow. The first year of college is vital in finding out not only who you are, but who you want to become.
The same can be said for life outside the classroom. While studies may help develop passions within the career field, extracurriculars aid in developing social skills.
Many lifelong friends are met in college, often in the unlikeliest of places. Without outside exploration and discovery, it can become more difficult to forge these long-lasting relationships.
In other words, get involved on campus. Check out the wide variety of intramurals UI offers. Join a club, participate in student government or even apply for a job at the student newspaper. The avenues of creativity and self-expression are endless, it just takes some time to explore outside the confines of a dorm room and classroom to fully discover all that campus life has to offer.
-MR, BH