The last day of exams on Dec. 14 marked the official end of the fall 2017 semester, but for every freshman, it also symbolized the completion of their first semester at the University of Memphis.
The majority of freshmen came to the U of M immediately after high school, forcing many to face the differences between K-12 school and college and to come to grips with how their expectations matched reality.
“I thought college was terrifying at first, but now it’s not,” Saya Nelson, 17-year-old political science major from Midland, Texas said. “It’s a lot less scary, and I really enjoy the new experiences that come with college.”
Some freshmen do not know what to expect when it comes to how difficult college will be, but Naya Foster, a 19-year-old nursing major from Memphis, said college was easier than she expected.
“Teachers hype college up to be really hard — that professors are going to be really tough and that they’re not going to play around with you,” Foster said, “But when I got here, they were literally playing a game called ‘Who Wants to Skip the Final?’”
Angelo Anderson, an 18-year-old sports and leisure management major from Atlanta, expected more free time in college.
“In the beginning, I thought it was going to be a lot of free time, but there was a lot more studying and working around the clock to get things done,” Anderson said. “I wasn’t able to have as much fun or go to as many parties as I thought.”
The amount of freedom college allowed them surprised some freshmen. Deborah Noel, a 19-year-old broadcast journalism major from Memphis, said being able to make certain choices such as deciding when to take classes is a privilege she never got in high school.
“The freedom is indescribable,” Noel said. “After class, you have the freedom to take a nap or work out or go to Panda Express. You graduated from the strict ‘follow these rules’ mentality with room to breathe.”
With this newfound freedom also came a greater sense of responsibility and independence for freshmen as more aspects of their success became based solely on their effort and choices.
“This is how you become an adult because there’s no one telling you when something is due or when we get back from break,” Anderson said. “There’s a lot more you have to do for yourself.”
Looking at spring 2018, many freshmen view the semester with optimism. Several say they have adjusted to college life and expect the best out of their new classes.
“I now have the experience of being a college student, so I expect this semester to go well,” Noel said, “I got through one semester, and now I can get through the next one to finish freshman year.”
For any freshman starting their second semester of college, these freshman had pieces of advice.
“Start with good study habits now while you’re still in easier classes, and there’s not too much difficulty,” Nelson said.
“Keep your family, friends and college life separate,” Foster said. “I had to find hiding places to study because sometimes my friends don’t take my need to do homework or study seriously.”
“Write down everything,” Anderson said. “Stick by the syllabus. Most professors stick by the syllabus. You can do a lot of stuff early, so you don’t have to pull all-nighters.”
“Don’t try to just get by with a passing grade because it all adds up in the end,” Noel said. “Strive for straight As. I know it’s cliché, but it’s a good feeling to bring that home and say you’re on top.”
