It ' s also important to remember that your path doesn ' t have to look like everyone else ' s. Some students graduate in four years, while others take longer. Some change majors, transfer schools, or discover new passions they never expected. None of those paths are failures. They are simply different journeys. Give yourself permission to grow.
If you ' re staying local, don ' t assume your college experience has to be any less meaningful. It can be tempting to drive to campus for class and head straight home afterward, but some of the best opportunities happen outside the classroom. Join a club, attend campus events, visit your professors during office hours, or simply spend time studying on campus instead of rushing home. Even if you ' re commuting, you deserve to feel connected to your college community.
For students moving away, independence can be both exciting and overwhelming. Suddenly, you ' re responsible for everything, from doing your own laundry to managing your time and balancing your budget. It ' s okay if you don ' t get everything right immediately. Learning these life skills is part of the college experience. Give yourself grace while you figure things out.
Academically, remember that college is different from high school. You may not earn perfect grades on every exam, and that ' s okay. One difficult class or one disappointing test score does not define your intelligence or your future. Ask questions, use tutoring resources, attend office hours, and don ' t wait until you ' re struggling to ask for help. Seeking support is a strength, not a weakness.
Looking back, I realize beginning college wasn ' t about becoming a completely different person overnight. It was about becoming a little more confident each day. Every challenge taught me something new, and every experience, even the difficult ones, helped me grow into someone more capable than I thought I could be.
If you ' re preparing to start college this fall, know this. You don ' t have to have all the answers before you arrive. You just have to be willing to learn, ask for help, and keep showing up. Whether you ' re staying close to home or starting fresh in a new city, you ' ll have moments of uncertainty, but you ' ll also have moments of incredible growth.
The transition to college can feel intimidating, but it is also one of the most rewarding chapters of your life. Trust yourself, stay open to new experiences, and remember that every college student starts as someone who is simply trying to find their place. You are more prepared than you think.
Before you know it, you ' ll be the one giving advice to the next incoming class.
Another piece of advice I wish someone had emphasized is to take care of yourself. It ' s easy to prioritize assignments over sleep or skip meals because you ' re busy, but your physical and mental health directly affect your ability to succeed. Build healthy habits early. Get enough rest, eat well, stay active, and make time for activities that help you recharge. College is a marathon, not a sprint.
Mariam Ndao is a 2025 graduate of TJ Owens Gilroy Early College Academy and aspiring pediatric nurse practitioner. She is a second-year BSN student at the Sue & Bill Gross School of Nursing at University of California Irvine. She is passionate about appreciating her community and shedding light on important topics through writing, and committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of her public health, nursing, and advocacy efforts. In her free time, she loves to spend time reading, volunteering, dancing, and spending time with friends and family. Connect with Mariam at: ndaom @ uci. edu
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