(Photo by: Vaughn Wheat)

To all the new students starting your first semester at JCCC, I have been in your shoes. Starting college can be one of the most daunting and overwhelming adventures in one’s life. It is hard to go from feeling like an empowered senior in high school to suddenly feeling like you have to figure out the rest of your life in one second.

I remember being absolutely terrified on my first day of classes. I sat outside of my Introduction to Psychology class pretending that everything was perfectly fine, but I was secretly shaking on the inside. I am not someone who likes change. I honestly did not know what to expect, but I was worried that my experience would let me down in comparison to what I had imagined.

Throughout the day, I kept thinking, “This is where my life begins … don’t screw anything up.” As a society, it feels like we are all taught that college is where your decisions and accomplishments really matter. I am not saying this is not the case, but I have learned over time that it is important to not be so intimidated by the big lifestyle and educational change in your life.

Following my first semester, I realized that college is not that scary. The classes can be more intense and challenging, and the professors can be strict and stern, but if you are prepared, the experience will be extremely rewarding.

Even in just two semesters, I have learned so much about the study habits that work for me, what classes spark my interests the most, and the fact that working hard throughout the entire semester really pays off in the end.

College brought a big change in my daily schedule as well. I have learned so much about the importance of time management, and if you use your time wisely, you will have plenty of opportunities to relax and take time to yourself.

After a semester of becoming grounded and adjusting to the change that comes with being a college freshman, I have also gotten involved in activities that truly make me happy. At the end of my first semester, I applied for the Copy Editor of the JCCC Messenger publication and joined the team in January. Now, here I am today as one of the Managing Editors of the staff, and I could not be more excited for the coming year.

This is a big part of the college experience. Finding something that I was passionate about and excited to participate in really helped me feel at home at JCCC. I encourage you all to search for that outlet too.

Although the first couple of semesters of college were overwhelming to begin with, I have learned so many skills and lessons relating to independence and self-discovery. The early nerves? They were not signs of weakness – they were the beginning of true growth, and I am extremely proud of how far I have come.