Starting university.

[wblastyn]

I start university on Monday and I'm really woried about it. I'm doing a course in biochemistry and everyone keeps telling me it's really hard, so I'm worried that I'm not going to be able to cope with the work. I was thinking of changing to another course in genetics or something, so I'm going to attend my lectures for the first week to see how it goes (I have 2 weeks to decide if I want to change or not). But I still have other problems....

What if I can't cope with the stress? What if I can't write good essays or understand the information? What if it's really boring and I can't concentrate on the lectures? Will I be able to make friends? Would I prefer just getting a job rather than studying at uni?

These are the thoughts that go through my mind. I am thankful for any advice and/or prayers

 

[urbanfaerie]

i start skool monday as well, and have thse same fears.

all u can do is give it ur all. look at it as a fresh start, a door to new experiences, and oppurtunities. don't go to old coping methods, expand ur horizan in a healthy way...

if you get stressed or overwelmed tak a break from studies and do sumthing for you

try jogging or sumthin that'll take ur mind off things, and run frustrations of til ur ready.

good luckers.

 

[cyberwing]

wblastyn,
Everyone goes through this. I despised High School and was nervous about college. To my surprise I LOVED college! I loved the challenge of learning so many different things, some courses I didn't like but you muddle through!
I suggest you take all your fears to the Lord in a private time with Him. Start by thanking Him for everything He has done for you, if you are getting to GO to university you are more blessed than many. Then tell Him about your fears and concerns. I have had Him give me the answers to some complex problems when I spent the time with HIM to get the answers!
Ask Him to bless your mind so that it will retain the pertinent information and be able to sift out the non-essential. Ask Him to bless you with peace as you study and take tests. Jesus knows what you are going through and HE WILL help you if you trust Him. Just be yourself and do the best you can and leave the rest up to Him. Of vital importance, be a good representative of Jesus for you are an ambassador of His love everywhere you go. Read 2Tim chapter 2. There is great wisdom for all of us in that chapter. Do all things with charity (love).
Will for you! {{{cyber-hugs}}}
~DJ

 

[Galadriel]

Hey Wyblastyn!
These are normal concerns. It is stressful to be thrown into a new and different situacion, but you do learn to cope and to 'go with the flow'. If you find you are having trouble, speak up! Colleges have many services to help you. I remember I was having trouble in math, but my college has a great math lab, and I was able to get very good help there. So yes, if you happen to find yourself struggling academically at some point, there is usually good help for you. If its a roommate problem, they have counselors and RA's that you can talk to that are meant to help with those issues. I go to a non-live-on community capmus, so I haven't had to deal with that yet, but may in the future. I agree to pray about it, Someone always wants to hear what you have to say!

 

[girlscoutdropout]

i completely understand you're worries. i am a junior at University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, and i have been through this. I think you're on the right track, expecting that it's nto going to be easy. so many people walk into it thinking it's going to be a breeze, and nothing but fun. that's not the way it is. i just want to warn you against being so quick to change you're major. no matter what major you pick, it's going to become challenging somewhere along the way. never change because it's too hard. college is a place to find out what you really want to go into. only change if you find another subject that you're passionate about.
my second warning is to not become too discouraged if you don't do well in a class. this is something that they don't tell you during orientation, but failing a class is pretty common. it happens to the best of us. the most important thing to do is to pick yourself back up, and give it another go.
third reccomendation.. pray pray pray! God will let you know if you're on the right path. and i'm sure you know this, but He won't give you more than you can handle. just use you're time wisely.
as for making friends, take advantage of all the campus organizations available to you. this is also a prime time to put energy into public service. i may be biased, but habitat for humanity is great fun, and a great way to make friends. i'm sure your campus would have a chapter. if not, there is sure to be a chapter in or near your city.
as far as not being able to concentrate during lectures-inevitable. it's going to get boring. the most important thing to do is make sure you get enough sleep and eat decently. i don't know if this is going to work for you, but having a bottle of water with me during class helps. it seems to keep me refreshed and focused.
writing papers.. like galadriel said, there are for sure resources at your disposal to help you with this. there is probably a writing center somewhere on your campus. there are also some pretty good books out there on it.. there's a great book i have about writing lab reports, which it sounds like you're going to be doing a lot of. i don't remember what it's called, but i'll let you know. it's definitely helped me out a ton.


wow, that got mighty lengthy.
you're in my prayers.
God Bless

 

[Sleepyd]

Which University are you going to?

Do they have a Christian Union? - that may help

I've graduated and in retrospect I shouldn't have worried about my course in the way that I did. The lecturers are flexible, and work isn't too bad if you work hard and are willing to make the effort. I'm sure you'll do well. Trust that he'll see you through.

 

[wblastyn]

So far I hate university, I have no friends in my classes and no one really talks to me.

In school I found it really hard to make friends, I usually have to wait for someone to make friends with me rather than the other way around. I always feel like I'm inferior to everyone and if I talk to them they'll look at me like I'm dirt and laugh at me. I've heard all the "you're special to Jesus'", etc but it doesn't help me. I always feel so alone. I always felt that way at school and I don't want to go through it all again at uni.

I don't know what I'm going to do.

 

[troodon]

So far I hate university, I have no friends in my classes and no one really talks to me.

In school I found it really hard to make friends, I usually have to wait for someone to make friends with me rather than the other way around. I always feel like I'm inferior to everyone and if I talk to them they'll look at me like I'm dirt and laugh at me.

I've got the same problem. My college (UC Davis) just started up last week and I've probably said a total of 3 words to other people in my lectures. But you can't be afraid that you won't make any new friends; fear never helps. You will make more friends, just like I will, it's just going to take more time and hard work than for most people. All I can say is stick with it and you'll be happy that you did.

"Stay positive and love your life" - Nicholas Hexum

 

[Mr.Cheese]

Go to school for you. You'll make some friends if you give it some time. Commuting kind of limits your social life. So remember that.

As far as your classes. Confidence. Be confident that you can destroy it. This is true for a lot of things in life. Know that you are going to own that class and do what it takes to make it happen. You will surprise yourself at what you can do when you set your mind to conquer.
For all of you starting school...I love you and I believe in you. So you believe in you.

 

[Sleepyd]

Which University are you at?

In my first year I slept most of the time (hence my name) simply because the people I lived with were just awful. But, after all the dust has settled you'll find people will want to get to know you.

 

[wblastyn]

I go to Queen's University Belfast.

I think I have Social Anxiety Disorder, so any time I'm forced into a group situation, especially with people I don't know, I get really nervous and feel like I want to vomit, etc.

I was feeling a little better today because I met up with my friends from my old school and we went around the University looking into different clubs/societies. But when I got home I began to feel bad again, I was thinking about the group of people I'm being forced to work with.

 

[Inspired]

I start university on Monday and I'm really woried about it. I'm doing a course in biochemistry and everyone keeps telling me it's really hard, so I'm worried that I'm not going to be able to cope with the work. I was thinking of changing to another course in genetics or something, so I'm going to attend my lectures for the first week to see how it goes (I have 2 weeks to decide if I want to change or not). But I still have other problems....

What if I can't cope with the stress? What if I can't write good essays or understand the information? What if it's really boring and I can't concentrate on the lectures? Will I be able to make friends? Would I prefer just getting a job rather than studying at uni?

These are the thoughts that go through my mind. I am thankful for any advice and/or prayers

Yea, you pick a hard major, but there are not too many out that there that are easy.
All Universities have some form of peer tutoring, in addition to the office hours your professors will have. So if you need extra help you will have opportunity to get it.
LOL most of my lecture classes are boring, it's a rarity to find a professor that isn't boring in that situation, but if I find one, I sign up for everything I can with them. T.A.'s are usually younger are less boring but not always. But just keep in mind, most class are only an hour to an hour and 15mins, depending on which day of the week you take them, you can hang on that long
As for the friends thing, go to your uni's website, or grab a organization book, when you get there, UA has over 500 organizations on campus, with that many surely someone could find a group they share a common interest with. If you opted to live on campus, just go to every door in the dorm an introduce yourself, remember everyone else in the same boat you are, no one leaves home and everything they know without cold feet. If you aren't that outgoing, wait for a social event on campus, and show up, pick smaller ones at first.
You'll be ok, it's a huge adjustment, but it's a good one.

 

[seangoh]

wblastyn, I was once in your situation about 2 years ago where i worried i'll not be able to make friends. But looking back, i found my first year exciting as i was able to make a few acquaintances during lectures and tutorials. It's really easy to make friends then coz almost everyone is in the same boat and wants to have friends so naturally they will open up and be more bold. But when you go up to 2nd and 3rd year, people settle down more and don't bother that much about making new friends coz they have enough already...so cherish your first year and pray to God to give you friends. That's the advice i have and it will work if you pray.

 

[wblastyn]

Well I was in a group with a few others and everyone was realy friendly, no one laughed at me or made fun of me (which is what I usually think people are going to do). I'm a little happier about going to uni.

 

[SAVEVERYONE]

Easier said than done Quit worring its sin, Gods teaching me when you worry your basically saying he isnt big enough to take care of us or handle our problems, so I strongly encourage you relax and enjoy the time you have at the university your at, you will not always be at a university, just relax and know Gods going to take care of you, and you have the best friend right there with you Jesus you dont need anyone else. Hes there to listen and encourage you begin to listen to his voice within your spirit, not your brain, lots of love

 

[SAVEVERYONE]

had a reply but somehow got deleated, have to write over sorry

 

[SAVEVERYONE]

Worrying is Sin, easier said than done quit worrying, Gods been teaching me that when you worry your basicly saying that God isnt big enough to take care of us because, if we believed he is capable of taking care of every need then we wouldnt be worrying, you have the best friend right there beside you when you need help in school or whatever you go through, he wants to help and encourage you and just to sit there and talk with you, you dont need any other friends you have the best one right there with you, yes its good to mingle and get to have other friends, but what can I say Jesus is the best friend, listen to his voice in your spirit he saying to trust him everything is going to be fine!

 

[wblastyn]

Is there anything that isn't a sin?

I thought worrying was the result of the fight or flight response when faced with the fear of doing something new. I don't think we can control it, it just goes away once we realise there is nothing to be afraid of.

 

[SAVEVERYONE]

yep we can control it, one of the friuts of the spirit is self-control