King reflects on first college experiences

As I think back to my last semester of senior year at Fresno Christian imagining my future life at Seattle Pacific University, I was ecstatic to explore my major of nursing, make friends and travel the Pacific Northwest. College held many more opportunities and adventures that I could not wait for. So much of my life was about to change but I knew it would be worth it.

Attending a college in a whole other state, especially one that requires a plane flight or a 12 hour plus drive, can be one factor that turns students away from pursuing out of state colleges. For me, the fact that I did not have parents nearby was a little nerve-racking but it allowed me to learn responsibility and a chance to figure out and overcome my own problems.

Homesickness was a struggle the first couple of weeks, but once I adjusted to school classes and the lifestyle change, I was no longer thinking about friends and family back home.

When thinking about college, we usually tend to forget all the small lifestyle changes that occur and skip the process of figuring out a routine. Some of these changes for me were living with a roommate, learning time management and taking care of my wellness. Through my experience living with a roommate, it’s best to be honest and respectful to the roommate and with the space that you share together. Discussing quiet hours, personal space, guests and cleanliness of the room helps ease future situations and allows the rules to be clear between you and your roommate so that there is no complication later on.

Thinking through my first quarter of college, a lot of change has happened and I have felt at times that I wanted to give up, but I remembered I was not the only one. There are many other freshmen who also are trying to make friends, achieve good grades, enjoy college life and find a balance. As seniors head into their first semester of college, be open to challenges and give yourself grace as you encounter new experiences. Finally, enjoy your last moments of high school and good luck on your journey! — Jenny King

Managing time in college is something I highly struggled to balance in my first quarter and I sometimes still try to figure it out. Beginning the first quarter at SPU, there was a connection and involvement fair for freshmen. I signed up eagerly for various clubs that interested me without thinking about the time commitment they required.

When classes began and I was knee deep in writing papers and chemistry homework, there was not enough time to be a member of some of the clubs I signed up for. From this, I learned not to overcommit myself and to choose wisely what I would spend my time on. The hardest part of time management is choosing between hanging out with friends, watching Netflix or completing a research paper due in a few days.

Figuring out time management can be extremely helpful to be successful and productive in school but also for your health and wellness. While it seems smart to stay up till 2 a.m. studying for a psychology midterm the next day, your body needs its rest to be functional in your upcoming classes. The transition from college can be a lot to process at first, so for me, it was beneficial to allow times for rest, reading a book or talking with my Residential Advisor on the floor.

As I transitioned to the city of Seattle, I was excited to visit every coffee shop and landmark. Seattle is basically the capital of Starbucks and incredible food with especially good Pho and Pad Thai, both of which are foods I have never had before. Discovering a new city is exciting because there are many cultures, food options and sights to visit. When attending college in an unfamiliar city, do not be afraid to explore places to study or find a good trail to walk on!

In my first couple of weeks of school, I wanted to connect with a church right away so that I could continue pursuing my faith in Jesus. After attending a few services at Bethany Community Church nearby SPU, I signed up for a small group. With this decision, I have made incredible relationships with my leaders and with the girls in the group. This aspect of my experience of college has by far been one of my favorites because of the growth I’ve gone through and the support these girls gave me.

Thinking through my first quarter of college, a lot of change has happened and I have felt at times that I wanted to give up, but I remembered I was not the only one. There are many other freshmen who also are trying to make friends, achieve good grades, enjoy college life and find a balance. As seniors head into their first semester of college, be open to challenges and give yourself grace as you encounter new experiences. Finally, enjoy your last moments of high school and good luck on your journey!

Jenny King currently attends Seattle Pacific Univerisity (SPU) in Seattle, WA, and is majoring in nursing. King was a Co-Editor-in-Chief for The Feather Online during the 2016-17 school year.

For another view from the out side, read Phillip Christopher’s. For more by King, read her senior reflection.

This author can be reached via twitter @jennypenny8835.