To achieve growth, we must be able to thrive in the face of change. Reflecting on my first semester at the University of Southern California, I finally began to understand and develop an appreciation for change and the uncertainty of the future.
Growing up in New Jersey, I had a fulfilling childhood, but I was very unprepared to live in a big city — so moving to LA was a transformative experience, to say the least.
When I visited USC for the first time, I fell in love with the campus’ collegiate gothic architecture, with red bricks lining every building and pathway. Little did I know, this campus would hold so many memories and foster so much growth as I navigated the first semester of my freshman year.
As the first chapter of my higher education journey comes to an end, I’d like to share some of my key takeaways:
- Zoom out
After attending an academically competitive high school, I was no stranger to studying for long hours but balancing studying, extracurriculars, laundry, meals, self-care, calling my parents, staying connected to hometown friends, etc. was all new to me. I think this led to a lot of frustration and exasperation on my part, especially since I was learning to manage all my newfound responsibilities while still settling into my new home across the country. During this time, it was most beneficial for me to recall a piece of advice from my math professor. He consistently reminded me to figuratively “zoom out” and look at the big picture before approaching a math problem. In my own life, “zooming out” allowed me to create a plan of action, and tackle each part of my plan individually, instead of becoming overwhelmed by the magnitude of my responsibilities. Although each step may seem small, progress is always progress.
2. You’re not alone
Often, I felt guilty for being unable to maintain every aspect of my life, when everyone around me seemed to do so effortlessly. A lot of the pressure to have the “perfect” college life comes from the way society and my community especially glamorize college/university. In fact, my dad often reminisces on his time as a college student, describing it as some of the best years of his life. Realistically, matriculating at a college can result in a major upheaval in a student’s life, and change, especially on this scale, isn’t always easy to encounter. Most importantly, we are conditioned to share only our achievements and awards with our peers, especially through social media. Sharing our reality requires courage and vulnerability, both of which aren’t necessarily easy to garner. Watching others seamlessly coalesce with their college life often generates pressure to fit in perfectly and immediately with a new community. However, most freshmen feel a little out of place in their first few months and that is okay — we’re all making a huge adjustment.
3. Progress isn’t always tangible
This one is actually from my Ph.D. mentor who I am currently working with on a research project. She instilled this value in my co-mentees to encourage us to become more creative in our processes and focus on learning rather than grasping for results. This idea was one of the most valuable concepts I had to learn as a freshman. As a society, we are encouraged to quantify our work or our progress, which can result in disappointment during occasions when we reach for the stars but still fall short. In my own research, I sunk a lot of time into finding a solution for an issue but still came up short, which often made me feel like I had nothing to show for my work. However, throughout these experiences, I was learning and growing — and I always had my effort and determination to exemplify my progress.
4. Embrace new experiences
My high school’s football team was not very well-known. Usually, our stands were empty during football or soccer games except for the fervent rhythmic harmonies that rang out from our iconic and revered marching band. When my roommate and I decided to attend our first football game at USC during a blazing heatwave, we were shocked by the turnout. Even in excruciating triple-digit weather, hundreds of fans filled the stadium dressed in cardinal and gold, carrying clear bags filled with every basic game-day necessity from sunscreen to Cheetos, and engaging in loud, prideful chants that seemed to unify the whole stadium. When I realized the power that this sport had and the way it could unify hundreds of people from tailgates to game-day barbeques to singing the USC fight song, I was immediately hooked. After watching a few games, I began to pick up the rules of football and am officially a diehard fan.
Thank you, USC for a galvanizing first semester. Fight On!