Navigating the Challenges of Transitioning to University: A Personal Reflection
Embarking on a new academic journey often brings a mix of excitement and anxiety. Recently, I attended my university orientation, and I find myself contemplating the immense changes ahead. Moving several hours away from home to a city I’ve only visited once is both thrilling and daunting.
As a 21-year-old psychology major aspiring to attend graduate school, I have a passionate drive to engage fully with my college experience. However, my enthusiasm sometimes leads me to take on multiple commitments simultaneously. Last year, even during my time at community college, I managed various responsibilities: participating in student media, attending occasional student government meetings, contributing to PTK, organizing campus events, and volunteering with SkillsUSA—all while maintaining a class schedule and working up to 20 hours weekly on campus.
I attribute much of this to my ADHD, which often prompts my brain with a vivid, “Hey, I want to do that!” response. Consequently, I frequently find myself procrastinating, barely juggling my responsibilities, and experiencing occasional overwhelm. Nevertheless, I persist and complete my tasks—celebrating small victories along the way.
As I prepare to start university, I recognize that I am carrying both my neurodivergent tendencies and a significant burnout. Despite these challenges, I am genuinely excited for what lies ahead—meeting new people, discovering new ideas, and engaging in research. I’ve developed a complex relationship with academia, driven by a love for learning intertwined with moments of frustration.
However, the initial days have already been overwhelming. Orientation presented an overload of information, prompting questions such as: Should I apply for internships now? Is a part-time job necessary? Should I seek volunteer opportunities or join student organizations? How proactive should I be? And I wonder why I seem to be the only student attending some optional sessions.
While I have a therapy appointment scheduled for Wednesday, I would appreciate insights from those who have more university experience—especially if your journey mirrors mine. How do you manage balancing coursework with extracurricular activities? Are all these efforts ultimately beneficial in the long run?
Any advice or shared experiences would be invaluable as I navigate this new chapter.