What I Learned From My Freshman Year
By: Claire Wong ‘23
Being admitted into my *dream school*was unbelievable and I was ecstatic to be living in Los Angeles at the best Film School in the country. Unfortunately COVID-19 ended it surprisingly early, but my freshman year met so many different expectations and helped me grow as an individual in ways I never anticipated. Here are just a few of the main takeaways I learned from my freshman year at USC!
Comparison is Real & it’s a Trap
At such a successful university, it becomes so easy to compare your achievements (social and academic) to your friends or classmates. This drags us into the inevitable freshman year loneliness. Here is a list of things to remember when you are down and feeling lonely:
Not everyone is as put together as they seem
You are only a freshman! You have three years left to grow!
Social media glamorizes real life
You Need Self-Care
Between classes, clubs, work, and social life, there is alway something to do. Living in the bustling city of Los Angeles only aids this busy lifestyle. Additionally, you most likely will be living with at least one other person — which is a new concept for most freshmen — and therefore are almost always surrounded by social interaction.
Taking time to care for yourself and/or prioritizing quiet is SO SO SO important for your mental and physical wellbeing. It is something I undervalued my first semester. Here are some ways I prioritize self-care:
Bike/walk around campus listening to your playlist
Draw/read on the Leavey Library fountain
Learn a new skill
Watch TV (allowing intentional time vs. using it to fill up your downtime)
Don’t Overcommit Yourself = Quality vs. Quantity
You go to the Involvement Fair and there are literally hundreds and hundreds of booths. Let me tell you, DO NOT SIGN UP FOR EVERY CLUB THAT INTRIGUES YOU! You will not miss out! I am not saying to not sign up for any clubs, but to sign up for the handful that interest you the most. Be intentional with where you spend your time (both inside and outside club settings) because that is when you will be the most satisfied in your vocational endeavors and be able to balance time growing your friendships. Also, this is a time you are adjusting to college; you are still transitioning. Give yourself grace!
Live in the Moment
YOU ARE A FRESHMAN! You will have three years at USC, do not get so caught up in the future. It will come as you grow. Focus on the classes/skills you are learning now and the friends you are with now. You only experience your freshman year once, so soak up every moment. Little things from the stress of the sophomore year housing lottery, to spontaneous midnight El Huero trips, to navigating the Coliseum for the first time— you will never experience those things again. Enjoy them!
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