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Writer's pictureLindsey H

First Four Weeks of College... Online

September 13, 2020


Tomorrow marks the start of my fifth week of college. I am a freshman at the University of Southern California, yet I am not in southern California. I am at home in the Bay Area and attending all of my classes remotely. Sounds super fun, don't you think?



Sarcasm aside, I want to take this time to reflect on my experience so far and my emotions. First, I will start with the academics. I am taking 18 units this semester, and was initially shocked and overwhelmed by the amount of work I had. Specifically, I was not used to the lengthy readings assigned every night. I was so nervous about my classes the first week, even though they were all on zoom. They were relatively painless, but the breakout rooms are another story... More on those another time. The most exciting part of online school is that I actually enjoy my classes and lectures. I find myself genuinely interested and am learning so much more about the world and things that matter than in high school. I have learned about disability access, the sociology of families, the transatlantic slave trade, the entertainment industry, and so much more. And it's only been four weeks.


Next, let's talk about mental health. I clearly was not excited to stay home for the start of my college experience. After an already difficult transition ending high school at home and not getting closure, it was difficult accepting this final blow. I have looked forward to college for years, and it is even more difficult as my friends all got to move away. Not only was I sad to be home, but felt isolated to be going through it alone. If anyone else is struggling to adjust to college online, know that you are not alone. I always want to seem like I have it all together, but I think especially during this time, we have to be vulnerable and honest about how we are feeling. It is okay to have good days, and okay to have some bad ones too. Believe me.


Along with mental health is the struggle to make friends in this virtual environment. Watching my high school friends make friends on their campuses creates jealousy and bitterness where there normally wouldn't be. Making friends online is much more challenging than I thought. I try to reach out to new people on social media every day, but it feels so forced and hard to transition to real conversation. So far, I think I have made a total of one friend. One friend in four weeks is pretty sad for an undergraduate population of 20,000 people, but I am thankful for her and not ready to give up yet. I have hope that I will eventually find my people and that I will continue to learn and grow during this time.


Until next time, Fight On!




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