The Fear of Becoming a Loser Freshmen in University

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Article in brief: The author talks about how to perceive transitions as she makes the transition from being a high school student to a university freshman.

Artwork by Dana AlAttar (@DanaAlAttar)
Artwork by Dana AlAttar (@DanaAlAttar)

Growing up, we have always been made to think that transitions are hard. I, personally, despise change. However, as I got older, I only realized that change could in fact be positive if you decide to perceive it so.

In one of my previous articles, I talked about recently graduating from high school. In all honestly, I thought that the switch would be dreadful. I was too afraid of being that loser freshman who was clueless as to what was going to come her way.

I didn’t want people to think I’m still a kid who is suddenly in a place filled with adults. I even refused to ask for directions to my classes because I didn’t want to be thought of as clueless. That was just the beginning and I had a feeling that I was going to get bombarded with responsibilities and endless daunting tasks. However, that all doesn’t matter to me right now because I chose to take this new journey as a positive one.

Yes, graduating from high school does involve a lot of growing up especially in the way you act and think but that’s the best part of it. There’s nothing like the sense of independence, growing as a character and getting to finally experience life instead of hearing about it.

Being a freshman at the American University of Sharjah has surprisingly been a blessing. I feel like I belong in a certain society for the first time in my life and I’m getting the opportunity to actually be myself instead of what I’m expected to be. Usually, in schools you’re expected to follow a certain pattern the administration sets out and there’s not much room to express your individuality. Now I am no longer stressed out by the pressures to be perfect in everything I do like I was in high school.

To deduce in a few simple words, I stand by the words of Tenesse Williams “The future is called ‘perhaps,’ which is the only possible thing to call the future. And the important thing is not to allow that to scare you.”  Nothing is certain so never be afraid of the challenges you may face as you start a new journey in life because it will only benefit you positively. Plus, you wouldn’t know how things would’ve gone about unless you tried.

Perceiving everything in an optimistic manner will help you go a long way. Like I always state, everything is a mental conundrum. If you believe that change is good, then be certain that it will affect your life positively. And if it didn’t, then it will only be a lesson to teach you how to handle life in the future.

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1 Comment

  • nice one, welcome to AUS. You can be whatever you want in this university, and actually asking for directions is not a freshman thing. Sometimes even seniors and juniors do that, so just take it easy, ask whenever you need to. I have made some good friends because I asked for directions on my first few days. Enjoy the experience!

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