As the excitement of senior year wears off, you might be nervous about making the leap to college, which is totally normal! Here are some real answers to common “what if” questions you may have about college life:
What if I get waitlisted/rejected?
If you find yourself rejected or waitlisted at your dream school, know that it will be ok! A rejection or waitlist notification is not the end of your college journey. In the college search process, it is important to find apply to a variety of schools that fit you, your future goals, and your academic profile. If you find yourself rejected or waitlisted for your top choice, know that you can enroll at your runner-up schools or begin your journey at a community college and then transfer to a top choice school, and still be happy. College is what you make of it!
What if I fail a class?
If you find yourself on the way to a failing or less than ideal grade in one of your classes, you should meet with your professor during their office hours and take advantage of the tutoring services that are offered on your campus to figure out how you can bring your grade up. If it’s too late to bring your grade up and you do end up failing, you should still talk to your professor and campus tutors to identify what went wrong and what you can do differently in the future (Note: If you find your academic performance suffering due to circumstances beyond your control, like a serious illness or death in your family; be sure to talk to your academic advisor and professors about your options).
You are responsible for your academic success in college, so it’s important to take advantage of the resources available to you on your campus to make sure that you are set up to do your best!
What if I don’t make friends right away?
Believe it or not, it is easier to make friends in college because there are so many opportunities available to you. If you find yourself not meeting your new best friend on the first day of school, don’t fret! Continue to do the things you like to do and keep up with your campus resources (email lists, bulletin boards, tables, involvement fairs, etc.) to find opportunities to meet new people and forge friendships. And don’t forget – everyone around you is in the same boat: new and nervous about making new friends. Meeting new people is a skill that will get easier the more you put yourself out there!
What if I hate the college I chose?
Going to college is likely one of the biggest changes you’ve experienced in your life to date, and there will be ups and downs. But what if the few weeks or months of your freshman year have been full of downs? Experts suggest giving college a year before deciding to bail. Often all it takes is meeting a new friend, joining a student club, or falling in love with a class to turn things around. You may also find it helpful to utilize the campus mental health services to talk through what you are experiencing in your transition to college.
What if a semester or year passes and your intuition tells you that you picked the wrong place? According to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, more than one-third of students decide to switch schools (this number includes students switching from community colleges). If you decide to transfer to a new school, transfer admission counselors are there to help you every step of the way as you find your new academic and extracurricular home!
What if I have no idea what I want to major in?
You are not alone! In fact, 80% of students change their major throughout their college education. Not only do you have time to figure it out, but you have plenty of people to support you, including your professors and advisors.
Don’t be afraid to ask any questions you may have about college – your friends, family, teachers, and admission counselors are here to help you succeed!
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Author:- Kayla Lugo
