It's Good to be New

When you're the new kid in town.

It’s Good To Be New!

 

     So, you’re not in Kansas anymore.   Now what?  As a senior, you weren’t new.  You were part of the furniture of campus life, or were the one lounging on it, but either way, you were expected there.  Routine is comforting, but college isn’t high school. 

     For one, you’re there because someone paid a mint, not because the state says you have to be.  The professors won’t stress over your performance or attendance, because the roles are reversed.  It’s more on you to learn than them to teach.  If you zone out in anatomy class and later remove my healthy kidney instead of my ruptured appendix; that would be bad.  Get your money’s worth.   You’re a fresh sponge.  Soak it up.

     What you’re probably stressing about though is the friend zone.  You’re all shiny newbie once again.  How do you make this new world home?  Where will you fit?  Trust me, the Prom Queen is thinking the same thing, so just relax.  This is the coolest time of your life.  There are no preconceived notions about you, and I swear, no one knows about that time you…well, you know. 

     So, what do you do with this clean slate?   What‘s fun for you?  Start there and choose two activities that support what interests you.  Join something.  Yeah, it’s freaky walking into a room a stranger, and trying to convince them that you’re their new “person to know”.  Remember this:  If anyone else can do it, you can too.  Channel whomever you must for just five minutes to get you through that door.  Ignore yourself.  Focus on the others in the room and what they’re doing and ignore yourself for five little minutes.    When in doubt, be useful.  That tidbit has saved me often.  Look around.  What’s needed?  Handouts to distribute?  Be on it.  Setting things up?  Be on it.  Nothing cures nerves like a mission to be done.  Works every time.  That and a smile, and you’re in like Flynn.  Soon you’ll be showing a newbie the ropes.  Savor the process. 

     College is an amusement park.  You pay the admission fee, lug stuff around all day, and try to follow the map to where you want to be.  That’s the business of it.   You can ride the teacups or the coaster with twists and turns that leave you upside down and breathless, but the thing to remember is that you have to get on the ride to enjoy it.

     This is your chance to explore, grow, discover and, yes, learn.  Hit the books hard, but make sure you find your niche in the fun zone too.  You may save my life fishing out my appendix, but it’s the friends and adventures you’ll be telling your stories about for decades to come.  No one else can ever be you, so you can be whoever makes you happy.   Know beyond doubt that is exactly all you need to be.  It’s good to be new.  Enjoy!

 

By Wanda Lorenz

Author's Note

Article I wrote for a local college magazine. Thoughts?