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This guest post was written by Vivian Shyu, Ph.D.
Blogger’s note: I asked my colleague Vivian Shyu to share the results of an exercise she did with seniors to help them reflect on their college careers. Their reflections say a lot about what they have been through and what they have accomplished.
The first day of school is coming. As usual, I set out to capture my first-year students’ new-school-year energy, fan it, and inspire them to learn, grow, and discover. What words of encouragement and wisdom can I give to inspire them to persevere, to hold compassion for themselves, and to have faith that they will succeed over the coming year? In the past, I’ve only partially succeeded. So maybe I need to try something new?
In a closing assignment last year, my graduating senior seminar students wrote letters of advice to their freshmen selves, telling them what they wished they’d heard back then, at the start. They came up with a great list, including many things I wouldn’t have thought of myself. This fall, I have two daughters heading off to college as freshmen, so I shared some of the advice my students had written with them, and those words resonated so much more than my own—even though they were sometimes the exact same words!
This advice had such an impact on my daughters that this year I’m going to use my seniors’ words instead of my own with my first-year students. I’ve compiled their sage wisdom into the following list. Some of you (you know who you are) might like to share these valuable insights with your own students.
ADVICE 1: Work hard.
- Keep up the hard work—and make people see what you can do. Show everyone the strength and perseverance you’ve always been capable of.
- It is a long road, and although both of us know that you can achieve the reward at the end of the road, you need to study.
- Take your first year seriously. Go to class, read your books, and do the homework. Your college career will go much smoother if you put in some effort.
- You’re struggling right now with balancing full-time work, full-time school, and your first taste of freedom. Put some effort into maintaining a good balance.
ADVICE 2: Take care of yourself.
- Seek help whenever you feel like life is getting in the way of things such as your studies.
- The next (hopefully) four years are going to be a rollercoaster ride, but you’re going to blossom into something beautiful. It’s okay to feel lost at times; everything will eventually fall into place.
- Stand up for yourself when you need to. Unfortunately, you need to show people constantly who you are. The good thing is, when they know you, they will love you.
- Stop worrying about what other people think. You come from different backgrounds and often feel out of place, but you’re not. Process those feelings of unworthiness and spend that energy on school.
- Take time for yourself and your mental health. Do something every day that makes you happy. Don’t have a negative mindset about life; try to be positive and proactive! Remember, pain is temporary, and some things take time to heal!
ADVICE 3: Gather your people, build your team.
- Please reach out to the people you think could be potential mentors and run away from the people who show you they are toxic from the very start.
- Create a relationship with your advisors, as they are there to help. Do not take classes until your advisor confirms that whey will go towards your required credits.
- Make sure to network as much as you can. You never know who can help you or the opportunities that are waiting for you to appear.
- If you need help, ask for it and seek it. You’re paying for your education and the resources to succeed. Make sure to take advantage of it all.
ADVICE 4: Take risks, join in, and be ready to grow.
- Change. Change a lot. Change in the best ways and take risks that make you change the way you think about life. Do not lose your core beliefs, but learn and absorb everything around you. You are worth it.
- Break out of your shell and don’t be afraid to meet new people. College is where you are supposed to make good meaningful connections, things you aren’t used to but could definitely use. I promise that if you put yourself out there, good things will come.
- Join student organizations, get involved on campus, and look for different classes and opportunities. Take the time to explore what you’re really passionate about.
- Make sure you don’t stick with something just because you feel like you don’t have any other option. You always have options.
- Instead of coming to college with the mindset of “I’m just here for the degree,” join clubs and make friends during your years of college. I know in some situations, it’s nerve-wracking to approach people, but please take the risk. People are willing to be your friend, so please don’t be scared.
ADVICE 5: Do not give up.
- If something doesn’t work, pick yourself back up and try again! Don’t mope around in sadness. Some things are worth it.
- Understand that you are going to struggle with a few courses, mainly science courses. Do not give up.
- Looking back, there were a few mistakes you made, but through it all, it has made you a stronger woman.
- It’s never the end of the world. No matter what is happening, whether it’s relationships or academics, it’s not the end of the world, and it’ll work out in the end.
FINAL NOTES OF ENCOURAGEMENT: You’ve got this & I am proud.
- Congratulations, you made it into college! I am proud of the woman you are becoming. Now do not forget who you are and what path you want to live.
- Remember that this time in your life is your time. You do not get a do-over and no one will ask you to explain yourself. You have the ability to achieve anything you desire.
- The next four years will fly by and in the blink of an eye, you’ll be graduated. Don’t worry if you don’t know exactly what you’re going to do. The truth is, no one does and that’s okay. You’ll be okay and everything will come into place.
- I admire the hardship you’ve overcome and the dedication you have for your education. I’m glad to see how you have grown academically and personally.
- It’ll be okay, and you’re going to kick ass these four years!
Vivian Shyu, Ph.D., is a Clinical Teaching Track Associate Professor at the University of Colorado Denver. She has worked as a researcher and clinician in the field of cognitive neuropsychology, but her main passion has always been education.
