Times Of TIU

Writer: Maurille R.

Editor: Samantha P.

Introduction

Entering a new chapter in your life can be quite intimidating and difficult, especially when your responsibilities are getting bigger. This is what happens when you transition from being a high school student to becoming a college student. The excitement of finally being able to do things on your own and meeting new people is thrilling, but at the same time, it can also be overwhelming when you think of the uncertainty of taking college-level classes, navigating an unfamiliar campus, and having someone to help you in terms of difficulties since college is a lot different from high school. 

During our high school days, classes are often mandatory to take, and the school itself chooses the classes for you. Teachers are also more considerate and focused on guiding students. Not only that, but they also give extra materials and effort to students who don’t understand the lessons very well. That’s why it’s hard to fail a course in high school. However, everything in college is different. You decide what courses you want to take, and professors are more strict than what you have been used to. For example, if you don’t understand the lesson, they won’t give you extra materials or time anymore unless you study on your own or schedule an appointment with them. Everything in college is difficult, especially when you are a freshman student, particularly an exchange student who moved abroad to study. 

Problems Faced during Freshman Year

As a freshman student, it is evident that you are clueless about most things about college that cause problems which can affect your university life. As you gear up for the college experience that you have been waiting for, anticipation blends with uncertainty, which causes anxiety. Anxiety is a feeling wherein you worry, feel uneasy, or are afraid of the things that might happen. This may lead to losing important opportunities that you might encounter later on. For example, making new friends and building relationships with people. If you’re overthinking things, you can never start making a move to improve and build your relationships with people. In college, connecting with other students is important since it can give you a unique perspective on certain topics and help you expand your knowledge.  

Not only that, but freshman students often have problems managing time since the workload in college is more difficult than what we have experienced in high school. Not having effective time management can make you struggle to keep up with your classes; the worst is failing. Moreover, most exchange students experience culture shock because of the cultural differences that they can encounter during college. These so-called cultural differences are not really a big problem as long as you respect one’s culture. To know more about Culture Shock, go to the Times of TIU website and read the article “TIU Students Experience! Culture Shock”

Tips to Overcome Freshman Problems

1. Stay organized
   1. Create digital planners or calendars 

• Creating digital planners or using your calendars can be a great way to track your tasks and not miss deadlines.

2. Create a system on how you’re going to balance your student and personal life

• An effective system can lead to a healthy and well balanced life. Since you know your boundaries when doing work and prioritize your mental health, that can help you achieve academic success while also enjoying leisure activities.

2. Get involved
   1. To avoid school anxiety join clubs or organizations that your school has

• In our TIU there are a lot of clubs and organizations that you can join that will help you enjoy your college life. To know more about them check Times of TIU’s article “SLI Services”

3. Build relationships with people on campus
   1. Connect with professors during office hours 

• Luckily for you! TIU has a safe space for students and professors to communicate with each other. We have the GTI, where most of the English Major Professors are open to helping you with your difficulties with your English Major related subjects. We also have the Japanese Lounge, where you can freely talk and ask for help from our Japanese teachers. It is also a great opportunity for you to learn to communicate in Japanese.

2. Make an effort to meet and befriend your classmates

• A great way to approach your fellow classmates when building a relationship with them is by asking them to join an event. Luckily, our team has 3-4 language workshops for you to attend. It is also an opportunity for you to build relationships with people on campus.

Conclusion

University life can be hard, especially from the start, but it has more opportunities for you to discover yourself and make improvements for the betterment of your future. It is easier to connect with people in college, especially in TIU, since there are clubs, organizations, and professor support, which can help you establish relationships. College is not just about getting a diploma but it is also the phase in your life where you have a holistic experience that combines academic learning with personal growth, social development, and preparation for future careers. It’s a time for exploration, discovery, and the development of skills and qualities that contribute to lifelong success. So don’t miss those opportunities that college has to offer, take them with or without risks and just enjoy them, since the most important thing in college is that you’re learning while having fun.