Probably from as early as we can all remember, the question of, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” has been posed to each one of us. As children, we usually answer with the job of our parents or a job we find cool as elementary schoolers. As we enter high school, the questions become more complex and specific. We get asked what college we want to attend, what we want to major in, and what extracurriculars we are involved in. I spent a large chunk of my high school career plagued by these questions. In order to do well, I spent much of my time doing homework, studying for tests, volunteering, joining clubs, prepping for the ACT, etc. While I enjoyed doing a lot of those things, I realize now that I had forgotten to enjoy the things that were also important in high school—hanging out with friends, spending time with my family, and finding time for self-care.
I entered college as a neuroscience major on the pre-medical track (now also with a double major in philosophy). I was (and still am) determined to go to medical school. Going to a private, out-of-state college was a totally new experience for me, and even though my freshman year was online, I still found myself comparing what I was doing to the other pre-meds in my year. Some had already found labs and research positions, some already had published research papers, and a few had even founded non-profits. I felt incredibly behind and tried to compensate by taking hard classes and maxing out on credits, joining clubs that would look good on med school apps, studying for hours in the library, and stressing about the MCAT (med school admission exam) that I wouldn’t take for another 2 years. Sound familiar? I was entering into the same cycle that had plagued my high school years. Don’t worry though! I’m determined to break the cycle, both for me and for you (if you happen to find yourself in the same position).
First things first, your freshman year is your cushion year! Don’t worry about having every single detail of the rest of your life figured out. This is the time to find the major that works for you, discover clubs and communities, and find new friends and support systems. This doesn’t mean do nothing; it means you shouldn’t put too much pressure on having everything worked out the second you start your first term. Once I realized that college was my time to explore new interests, I took classes that had nothing to do with my major that I really loved, like a fiction and poetry class. You also have the space to see if the career path you have in mind is the one for you. You can begin looking into internships, research, and/or clinical work. Getting exposure to the field can help you to decide if you see yourself doing it in the future.
Secondly, talk to your school’s advising office. Whether it be general academic advising or pre-professional advising, there is bound to be someone who can help you develop a general plan, especially if things feel too overwhelming for you. Asking for help is never a bad thing, and even if it’s just asking general questions, it can be helpful to talk it out with someone who has more experience. When I met with my pre-professional advising office for the first time, I nervously bombarded the advisor with a thousand questions, and to my surprise, she patiently answered every single one. I came out of the meeting feeling more prepared and more at ease. Having a schedule of when you need to do what for graduate school can help you focus more on the present, and worry about the rest when the time comes.
Lastly, and most importantly, take time away from school to rest, relax, and have fun! Explore the city your college is in, take advantage of the fun events your college offers, take a cool Zumba class, and have time to just do nothing. Even if it’s just putting on a face mask and watching your favorite show, the smallest things can make all the difference. This semester I’ve already found time to play Mario Kart with my friends, order Taco Bell at 10 p.m., and take a day trip to D.C.
College should be a time for you to explore cool interests and find something you’re really passionate about. If you take one piece of advice from this blog post, it’s this: BE PRESENT! The future is in the future, and you’ll find that your time in college will pass by just as quickly as high school did, so make sure not to have any regrets.
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Xiomara graduated from Marshall Fundamental in 2020. She is currently attending Johns Hopkins University where she is double-majoring in Neuroscience (with a concentration in Cognitive Neuroscience) and Philosophy on the pre-med track. She is a part of a number of cultural, volunteering, and social clubs, as well as employed through her school’s Office of Multicultural Affairs. Xiomara’s first true experience with CAP came her junior year. At that time, she was still unsure what sort of schools would be the best fit for her and had no idea how to navigate the college application process. CAP was able to point her towards schools that met her interests and help her revise countless essays. As a Student Advisory Council member, Xiomara is looking forward to helping students navigate the college process and shed light on what the college experience is like.
