Congratulations, first years. You have survived high school and filled out those endless forms, and now, you have finally made it to university. Welcome to the place where living frugally is an art form and everything is completely new. You have left behind the comfort of high school where everyone knows everyone (whether it is because of personalities or being the notorious “late comer”). University can feel like stepping into the middle of a movie, only it is not the glamorous, effortlessly cool version Netflix has to offer.
Everybody keeps on giving you unsolicited advice on how to “do uni”, from what to pack (apparently you need 17 pairs of shoes?) to the perfect ways to “live your best life”. Honestly, they just do not get it. Some of your worries may include making friends, surviving that first assignment, and finishing your degree in record time. But here is the reality: it is about to get awkward – and that is totally okay.
When you first step onto campus, it is hard not to notice how similar the awkwardness is to what you felt in high school. That nervous “who is who” game is back, and it is bigger and better than ever. While this new chapter is supposed to be exciting, it is also filled with a new level of countless “what am I doing?” moments. Here is the kicker – everyone is feeling this way. Even that person who seems to have their life together is probably freaking out on the inside.
Movies make it look like university is all about spontaneous adventures and perfectly curated friendships. But the truth is, some people cannot even make it through the first week without realising that they have been calling someone by the wrong name for days. Others go from being high school overachievers to barely scraping by. University can get fast very quickly, and before you know it, you are wondering if you will ever see the light at the end of the lecture hall tunnel.
Do not panic. UP is packed with tons of resources to help you feel at home – whether it is support groups, student lounges, or a personal favorite, free snacks during orientation week. So do not suffer in silence.
Much like Jenna Hamilton’s experiences in Awkward, your first year will be filled with those weird moments where everything feels like it is out of your control. But it is oddly exhilarating. From meeting new people and having to navigate those first university parties (where you have no idea what is going on, but you are trying to look relaxed about it), to fumbling through your first lecture in a room full of strangers, or being with people that want to date in secret. Those first few weeks can feel like a blur of confusion, embarrassment, and laughter. Hamilton might have been a high schooler, but her life is just as relatable to university students.
University life will be filled with a series of social struggles – misunderstandings, awkward moments, and clumsy attempts at fitting in. You will inevitably embarrass yourself in front of your new friends, or realise you have been mispronouncing someone’s name for weeks (oops). The best part is – you are not alone. It is okay. University is a place for growth, and everyone is figuring it out one awkward moment at a time. As you transition from high school to university, just remember: every first-year student has their own version of this “movie”. It is a whirlwind of anxiety, excitement, confusion, and unexpected triumphs. So, embrace your first-year adventure like it is a blockbuster: filled with highs, lows, and plenty of memorable moments.
University life is not about having it all figured out from the start. It is about living through the mess, learning from every awkward moment, and growing into the lead role of your own story.
