Two months into their college journey, first-year students across campus are settling into the rhythm of university life. For many first-year students, this period marks a crucial time of adjustment—balancing coursework, exploring extracurricular activities and establishing friendships.

As they navigate the ups and downs of college life, these first-year students are gradually carving out their own paths, learning valuable lessons and embracing the opportunities that come with their new environment.

As the new academic year kicks off, new and incoming students are stepping into a world of opportunities and challenges.

To explore their early experiences and aspirations, Isabela Ortiz (Freshman, Pre-Nursing) reflected on her initial encounters with college classes. Ortiz shared that her freshman year has been a blend of intense emotions and adjustments.

“The workload is definitely demanding,” Ortiz explains. “I find myself with homework almost every day.”

One of the highlights of the first two months for many first-year students has been the opportunity to make new friends and build a community on campus. From joining clubs to attending events, students are finding ways to connect with others and create a support system.

“I’m happy to get to know more people who are interested in what I am interested in,” says Yareli Jiminez (Freshman, Pre-Nursing.)

According to Rachel Grimshaw, a full-time lecturer and the GWAR Coordinator, this freshman class has received a lot of praise. With high attendance in their classes, assignments being turned in on time and great adaptation to college, this freshman class seems to have a handle on their first two months of college.

“I always like working with freshmen,” Grimshaw says.

These first-year students are full of personality. They have been doing a great job at being able to branch out with their academics and testing out different majors. With a wild mix of majors, they seem to be more inclined to explore different majors and try things out.

“No one should be working with first-year students unless they are loving, patient and flexible,” Grimshaw says.

Grimshaw explains that first-year students have their first semester worries and fears which are usually normal. She tends to create an open space where students are able to express themselves, their fears and concerns. She stressed that the freshman year is an important year for students to set themselves up for success.

“I have quite a few that are excited to get some independence,” she says, “Independence is a blessing and a curse.”

A lot of Stan State’s new first-year students are living in the dorms where they have to learn how to budget, manage their time, be away from their parents and learn to live alone or with roommates. First-year students have to learn how to be independent adults at a new college campus.

Grimshaw mentions how the media depicts college as a scary, stressful thing when it is not. College is a place to grow and find yourself.

Faculty who have interaction with the new freshman class may be pleasantly surprised with the knowledge that the freshman already have. Social media has taught “hacks” from an early age, according to Grimshaw.

“The young people today are really good at the hustle. They really learn how to work the system. They are finding interesting ways to make money,” Grimshaw says.

There may be some things that this new first-year students class can teach us that we never thought about. Let’s keep an ear and eye out for what the young people have to offer.

Two months into the semester, first-year students are navigating the ups and downs of their college journey with resilience and determination. While the adjustment hasn’t been easy for everyone, many first-year students are finding their way and making the most of the opportunities that college has to offer. As the year continues, first-year students will continue to grow, learn, and adapt, shaping their college experience one step at a time.