As the fall semester winds down, freshmen are looking back on their first semester at college with a mixture of relief and disbelief at how quickly it all went by.
Students at Ferris described the transition to college as uneven but improving. Several said the first weeks were marked by homesickness and difficulty keeping up with coursework, but most noted that by mid-semester, they had established routines, found support networks or connected with student organizations.
Criminal Justice freshman Manuel Tiffany described his first months on campus as “difficult but surprisingly pleasant,” a mix of independence, adjustment and small victories.
“It’s more on your own than I thought. You have to figure out a lot by yourself,” Tiffany said. “I could be basic and say the food is the best part, but the best thing has been being able to spend time with the friends I have made. I probably shouldn’t have as much free time, but I usually cram all my schoolwork into one day so I have that time.”
Though he knows it might not be the most effective approach, Tiffany said he often crams all his schoolwork into a single day to maximize the amount of time that he has for himself and with friends.
Tiffany’s experience isn’t unusual. Many freshmen at Ferris say their first semester involves learning to balance academic expectations with new social opportunities.
Digital Media and Television Production freshman Dominic Kramer shared this sentiment as well. One of the most challenging things for him was realizing how much time he had to dedicate throughout the day to his classes and work.
“For my major, I have to be in one specific spot to work on projects. I can’t just casually do things throughout my day as I used to,” Kramer said. “I have to plan time to go work in one place and stay committed.”
As Kramer settled into those new routines, the campus itself became part of what shaped his experience.
“It’s been really enjoyable here. I really like the way that the campus is laid out,” Kramer said. “Unfortunately, my dorm is kind of in the worst spot possible compared to where all my classes are, so it’s a lot of walking back and forth across the street.”
Kramer said the hardest part of his first semester has been managing the high expectations he sets for himself, especially when time or access to resources keeps him from meeting them. Even so, he said the experience has pushed him to reflect on how he learns best, a process he’s still figuring out.
“It’s been interesting getting to learn about myself and how I educate myself,” Kramer said. “A lot of people show up thinking college will be just like high school, but it’s not quite that easy.”
Kramer’s perspective is just one of many, as other students recalled their first months on campus with their own insights.
Surveying Engineering freshman Isaiah Spriensma also expressed the difficulty of balancing being involved and enjoying himself throughout this first semester while also ensuring he spends enough time studying and preparing for classes.
“I’ve worked really hard to a schedule using my calendar and sticking to what I know I need to prioritize,” Spriensma said. “The amount of time I spend studying has really surprised me the most.”
His experience so far has been shaped by all of the groups he is a part of on campus, from joining Ferris’ Burt and Mullet chapter, playing intermural flag football, joining the disc golf team and also becoming a member of the pickleball club. This is where Spriensma has been able to find a sense of belonging, and encourages other new students to become a part of the campus in one way or another.
“I would tell them to get involved because there is no worse feeling than just simply existing,” Spriensma said. “Regardless of how scary it may seem, you will never ever regret it. The relationships you build and the way they help you develop as a person are by far the best parts of my college journey so far.”
As the semester closes, their stories echo a common theme. The first months of college are as much about self-discovery as academics. While each freshman’s path looks different, most say the challenges of the fall semester have already begun to give way to confidence for what the spring semester has in store.