Navigating First Year Troubles

Adjusting to College

Carleton is truly an open and accepting place, but that doesn’t mean making the leap from high school to college will be easy. I’ve learned that balance is everything. Between academics, socializing, and well-being, you have to create space for growth while also staying grounded. Over time, I’ve found what works for me. It hasn’t always been easy, but it’s been full of meaningful lessons that continue to shape my college experience. Today, I’m happy to share some of those lessons with you all!

FaceTime with Family + Friends

One of my favorite parts of each week is catching up with my mom and sisters. I love telling them about the fun things I’ve done over the weekend and sharing what I’ve learned in my classes. It’s always comforting to hear the latest updates and little bits of gossip from back home, and it helps me feel connected even when I’m far away. I’ve also gotten better at communicating my needs, which has helped strengthen our relationships. Another highlight is staying in touch with friends who are away. I always make sure to keep them updated on all the campus happenings. You’re always able to feel like you’re part of the Carleton community, even when you’re not on campus!

FOMO (Fear of Missing Out)

Finding balance at Carleton can be challenging. It’s not always easy to say no even when you have work to do, but I’ve learned to meet people halfway. Sometimes I’ll suggest only attending part of an event. Other times, I’ll offer to hang out at a different time. During freshman year, it’s common to want to do everything in big groups, but it’s just as important to get comfortable doing things solo. As a night owl, many of my friends are already asleep by the time I’m ready for a late-night adventure. That’s when I’ve learned to embrace solo trips. One of my favorite personal traditions is making a late-night run to Kwik Trip. At the same time, sometimes staying in is the right call. College is all about learning to manage your time, listen to your needs, and find new ways to enjoy yourself, alone or with others. 

Identity & Personal Growth

After being at Carleton for three years, I’ve come to realize how much my behavior can shift depending on who I’m with. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. It’s natural to adapt in different social settings, but it’s important to stay self-aware when those shifts happen. College is a time when you’re exploring who you are, but that should never come at the cost of your well-being. If you ever feel like you’re changing just to “fit in”, it’s absolutely okay to step away. Trust your instincts and prioritize your values. Authenticity is something that’s celebrated here, and learning how to navigate social spaces while staying grounded in who you are has been one of the most meaningful lessons I’ve learned.

Imposter Syndrome

Carleton rigorous, but it’s never felt cutthroat. That being said, I experienced something called impostor syndrome. It’s the nagging feeling that everyone else has it all figured out while you’re struggling. Over time, I realized that wasn’t true at all. At Carleton, both students and professors genuinely want you to succeed. It’s not an “every person for themselves” environment. Instead, it’s rooted in support and community. I was lucky to have an incredible group of friends during my first year who reminded me of that constantly. They went out of their way to help me stay on track, even writing me little personal agendas at the end of each week just to keep me motivated and grounded. Even when it doesn’t feel like it in the moment, if you put in the work and lean on others when you need it, you can succeed! 

Self-Care & Personal Time

Carleton is a rigorous school, but I’ve always been someone who’s up for a challenge. That being said, I’ve learned that prioritizing self-care is just as important as staying on top of academics. Self-care looks different for everyone, and for me, it often involves solo walks in the Arb, an occasional face mask session with a horror podcast playing in the background, or simply vibing to music in my room. One of my absolute favorite ways to de-stress is having an unprompted dance party. It might sound silly, but those moments of joy really do wonders for my mood (what can I say, the psych major in me knows endorphins are real!).

Yahaira (she/her) is a junior with a Psychology major and Educational Studies minor. She’s from a big city, Chicago, and but has come to enjoy the small-town vibe of Northfield. When not on campus, you can find Yahaira thrifting, walking around in the arb, or attending social and cultural events with food! She can also be spotted crocheting on a bench or 3rd libe with several friends or solo! Outside of being an Admissions Fellow, Yahaira works at the print shop, is a member of the birders club, TRIO, and Project Friendship. She’s more than happy to share experiences on double-labbing and conducting animal psychology research with pigeons and rats.