essay about first week of college

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My First Week as a College Student

• Student Success Stories
• My First Week as a…

As my first week of college slowly becomes history I can say I survived. I had so many fears and many doubts but in the midst of it all, I decided to keep calm and enjoy every moment that has been granted to me. I’ve gained new friends, new study places, a new local church and most importantly a community that I can call my second home. I am not going to lie, I’ve felt homesick, tired and frustrated. I either miss my family, I don’t want to deal with homework or I don’t have rides to go out of campus and enjoy the things that are offered in Redding. However, I can say that little by little I’m going to grow as the person I dreamed of becoming, the person that my parents wished for me – a person who lives to do whatever it is that I love to do and make the best of it. This week, my English teacher Dr. Phillipian asked us to write a short write about why we decided to enroll into a higher educational school (college). I noticed that I hadn’t really thought about that specific question. I was always thinking about getting into college but not much of what I was going for. I then thought for a good 3 hours and came up with this. I’m primarily here at Simpson University with the purpose of getting a diploma – not to brag but to empower others to do the same or even go farther than what I wish to accomplish. I wish to go back to my community one day and be someone that brings hope and joy. Secondly, I came to college to learn not only academically but also experience life with a different community than the one that I am used to at home. I longed to create the experiences many of my teachers and other college students spoke about – that had to do with colleagues, late night studies and fun days out of campus. Last but not least I came to college to get a step closer to that dream of mine of becoming a college professor. I could only achieve this by going through college. With this said, I am more than positive that I am where I needed to be. And of course yes, [college] will be tiring and time consuming, but this is my dream and I am living it. More than survive, I lived and have enjoyed every step. My only hope is that I keep on moving forward and I reach my dreams one by one.

Author:  EdFund Staff

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Essay On My First Day At College in 150, 350 and 500 Words

A student’s life begins anew when he graduates from school and advances to college. His memory of his first day at college will always remain etched in his heart. The purpose of writing practice in English is to ask students to compose an essay about their first day at college. The following is part of their first day in college essay. In order to help students write their own essays about their first days at college, I’ve provided a sample essay and a sample paragraph about mine.

Table of Contents

 A 150-word essay about my first day at college

 My first day at college was an emotional experience for me, so writing about it was difficult for me. The day I started that new chapter of my life was a turning point in my life. I enrolled in Haji Muhammad Mohsin College after passing the SSC examination. On the first day, I arrived before 9 AM. My first action was to write the procedure on the notice board. It was a three-class day for me. It was English class first. In the classroom, I sat down.

 A large number of students were present. A lively conversation was taking place between them. There was a lot of interaction between the students. Though I had never met any of them before, I quickly made friends with a few of them. In the classroom, the professor arrived on time. The rolls were called very quickly at first. During his speech, he used English as his language.

 He discussed the responsibilities of a college student. My teachers’ lectures were enjoyable, and I enjoyed each class. In the afternoon, I visited several areas of the college after class. Compared to the college library, the college library was much larger. Thousands of books were on display, which amazed me. A memorable day in my life was my first day in college.

 Essay on My First Day at College in 350+ Words

 It was an important day in my life when I attended college for the first time. I will never forget that day. When I was in school. My elder brothers and sisters provided me with a glimpse of college life. Having just started college, I looked forward to it with much anticipation. It seemed to me that college life would offer me a freer life, where there would be fewer restrictions and fewer teachers to worry about. It was finally the day that had been longed for.

 A government college was opened in my city. As soon as I stepped onto the college grounds, I was filled with hope and aspirations. Seeing the diversified perspective offered by the college was a pleasant surprise. I had never seen anything like it at our school or around it. Many unknown faces appeared in front of me.

 As a freshman in college, I experienced some very strange things. My surprise was sparked by seeing students playing indoor and outdoor games as well as listening to radio broadcasts during class time. It is not prohibited to wear a uniform. Students’ movements are free, as I observed. It is up to them to decide what they want to do.

 The newly admitted students were all in good spirits when I arrived. It was a pleasure to make friends with them all. It was a pleasure to move around the college. As I entered the college library, I was delighted to find books on every topic I wanted to learn about. On my first day at the college, I was keen to learn more about the laboratory and conduct experiments. The notice board displayed the timetable for my class. Attending classes was something I did. There is a difference between the method of teaching at the college and at the school.

 A specialized teacher teaches each subject. Classes do not ask questions. Failure to learn a lesson does not result in a reprimand from the professor. This is simply a matter of reminding students they have responsibilities. The school has a homely atmosphere, so students lack access to snacks. Therefore, they feel the comfortable rhythm of life has changed and I returned home feeling a mixture of duty and liberty.

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 My First Day at College Essay In 500+ Words

 a brief introduction:.

A memorable event in my life was my first day at college. When I was a boy, I dreamed of studying in a college. A college was attended by my eldest brother. During our conversation, he told me stories about his college. My mind immediately traveled to another world when I read those stories. As a student, I found college to be a totally different experience from my school. My dream of attending college came true because of that. My college experience seemed to me to be an opportunity to get rid of the rigid school rules that I had gone to school under. The SSC examination was finally passed and I was able to enroll in a college. Some colleges gave me admission forms. Haji Mohammad Mohsin College selected me for admission after I took the admission tests at those colleges. The event marked the beginning of a new chapter in my life.

  Preparation:

My college life had been on my mind for quite some time. It was finally here. As soon as I arose from my bed, I prepared breakfast. On my way to college, I arrived there well before 9 a.m. In the morning, the routine was written on the noticeboard. It was a busy day for me with three classes. There was a difference in classrooms between my classes and I was surprised by it.

  Classroom experience:

It was English that I studied in my first class. It was time for me to take my seat in the classroom. Many students attended. A lively conversation was taking place between them. There was a lot of student interaction going on. I became friends with some of them in no time, despite not knowing any of them before. In the classroom, the professor arrived on time. He called the roll quickly. After that, he began to speak. 

English was his first language. College students have responsibilities and duties, he said. He held my attention raptly. It was a very informative lecture and I enjoyed it a lot. The next class was Bengali’s first paper. The class was held in a different classroom. Bengali short stories were the topic of the teacher’s lecture in that class. 

My previous school’s educational standards are different from the colleges I am attending. After attending the classes, I understood the difference. Additionally, the college had a better method of teaching. Students were treated politely by the professor as if they were friends.

Libraries, common rooms, and canteens at the college:

After attending the classes, I visited the different parts of the college. There was a large library at the college. Thousands of books were there, and I was astonished. It was a popular place to study. A large crowd of students was chatting in the students’ common. There were also indoor games being played by some of the students. Next, I stopped by the college canteen. Some of my friends and I had tea and snacks there. Everyone on campus was having a good time and enjoying themselves.

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What is the first week of university like?

If you’re heading to university soon, take comfort in these students’ stories that no matter how terrifying it all seems, things will work out in the end , charlie pullen, .css-76pyzs{margin-right:0.25rem;} ,, holly plews, warren stanislaus, anees malik.

Everyone experiences the first week of university differently. Some students dive right in like a duck to water, while others dip a cautious toe in, taking their time to explore university life. 

However, the first feelings of heading to university are the same all over the world – excitement and apprehension.

I collected stories from some university students sharing their experiences of their first weeks of university. 

Holly Plews, University of York , UK

From awkward encounters, intense homesickness and a myriad bizarre moments, my freshers’ week (first week of university) experience was rough at the time but rather amusing in hindsight.

Hailed as “the best week of your life”, freshers’ week is your initiation into university life; a week full of binge drinking, social events and copious amounts of freebies. The somewhat infamous rite of passage sounds excellent to many but, for me, it really wasn’t.

I had left behind my former life in Birmingham; a supportive family, a great network of friends and the security of my comfort zone for this new phase of life, and I wasn’t quite ready.

I began my induction surrounded by my Big Supermarket Shop, after saying the final goodbye to my family, staring at a bottle of vodka that still had its security tag on (no, it was not stolen). 

After plucking up the courage to go and meet my flatmates, one of them decided to light his hand on fire as an ice-breaker. Worse still, the pyromaniac was going to be living next door to me. The night hit its crescendo when our college was invited to a quiz night (an attempt at inducing “mingling”). All was well (if a tad awkward) until I spilled my drink over our answer sheet and a housemate.

As the days rolled on, however, socialising became easier and I began to feel more comfortable. The events of the first night redeemed themselves; the shared struggle of opening the vodka bottle, my next-door neighbour curbed his enthusiasm for fire and turned out to be lovely, and the cider-covered housemate became, in time, my closest friend.

Yet, during that week – and truthfully, some that followed – I missed home and was afraid of what this new venture had in store. But, if I had known then that it would have all turned out fine, I think I would have savoured the experience more.

Freshers’ week is not necessarily going to be the time of your life, but remember that good things are to come.

Jeny Jose, Szent István University , Hungary

Starting university in a foreign land comes with a lot of anxiety. Last September I landed in Budapest from India to start studying there. 

One thing that gave a sense of relief was Hungary’s welcoming attitude as evident from the long queue of international students at airport immigration. The lady scrutinising everybody at the airport counter smiled and in her broken English asked me my name and said, “Welcome to Hungary, little girl”. For a foreign student away from home, smiles are comforting but I realised that language was going to be an obstacle I needed to overcome.

At that point I wasn’t really sure what I was feeling. I constantly had to remind myself that cars drive on the right-hand side of the road and was in awe of how few people there were in comparison to my home in India.The architecture was immaculate.

I met a Kenyan girl on my way to the campus and we struck up a conversation about how a third country was uniting two countries.

During my first week I grew more independent – from buying groceries to networking.

Unlike in India, I stood out and that was a chance to create an impact. As scary as the first class was, it was also one of the most informative, as a gathering of students from several countries with a willingness to learn about each other and contribute their knowledge. I was sure that I wasn’t going to return the same person that I was when I arrived. I’m sure no student ever does.

Warren Stanislaus, University of Oxford , UK

When I decided to go to university in Japan as a full-time undergraduate student, I only knew conversational Japanese, which limited the depth of interaction I could have with non-English speakers. Additionally, I became dependent on native speakers for basic things such as opening a bank account or buying a phone. It was important to surround myself with other international students that were similarly trying to navigate a new country so as not to become isolated.

During the first few weeks I was flooded with information at orientations and my diary was packed with opportunities to socialise. Everything was moving so fast and it was a little overwhelming. But this was, I'm sure, how all the other first-years felt. 

With that in mind, I saw it as as an opportunity to participate in as many social activities as possible to establish my core group of friends and expand my broader network of contacts. Whether it was a campus tour or a group shopping run, I just went along. A morning tour led to lunch, an afternoon tour led to a dinner invite.

I previously believed that university would be an environment where I could find myself. On the contrary, at university it’s easy to lose yourself. Whether related to academic achievements, extracurricular activities, summer internships at prestigious firms or hunting for grad schemes, I initially fell into the trap of constantly comparing myself to others.

Especially during the first week of university when I talked to so many multitalented people and felt like an imposter. I’ve since realised that there is something only I can bring to the table.

I now encourage other British students to seek out the growing number of opportunities to study overseas at little or no cost, even just for a short period.

Anees Malik, University of Leeds , UK

My first week at university was quite daunting, as I imagine it is for every new student. While generally I was quite excited, I was also nervous walking through the entrance and turning up for my registration as a new student. I did not want to go by myself, so my sister accompanied meon my first day because she had been to the same university to study law.

I remember my first week very clearly. I am studying German and international business and my parent school is the languages side of my degree, which meant that the introduction was hosted by the German department. After the introductory lecture they took us to a small area where we could have coffee and cake, mingle and get to know fellow students studying the same language.

I was worried that I would not make friends and would have to go through university all by myself. However, that thought immediately went down the drain on my first day.

One girl was walking among the students and asking everyone if they were studying the same course as her. And lo and behold, I was. From that day onwards we stuck together like glue as many of our lectures and seminars were the same. 

During freshers’ week I have never wanted to do so many different things when I saw all the different societies available. There are so many opportunities at university – you must utilise them all.

I realised that university is nothing to be frightened of. While it is absolutely normal to worry about making new friends, the number of new people you meet daily is incredible.

Charlie Pullen, Queen Mary University of London , UK

My first week at university was going to be the beginning of my new life. Unlike many of my peers at school and college, I didn’t take a gap year because I was too impatient to get started with being a university student. I hoped university would be the place where I became a different person: sophisticated, cultured, cool. It couldn’t come soon enough.

So I left home in Brighton to study English at Queen Mary University of London . My parents’ car was packed with stuff, mostly books, which I planned to display proudly in my flat. I had brought far too much. Students had to help us carry boxes of Nietzsche and Sartre and Virginia Woolf up to my little room.

Once my parents had gone, I set about trying to act like a student. I sat in my room playing Bob Dylan in an effort to impress my flatmates. I wasted money on a wristband to go to some bad and expensive clubs in town. I was on the search for the love of my life and the friends for life that everyone said you found at university.

Luckily, I met some great friends who were slightly older than me and could see through all the pressurising myths about what you were supposed to do as a fresher. Eventually, I relaxed a bit and started enjoying things that I actually wanted to do, like working on the student newspaper.

I look back on those days embarrassed by how cliched I was. But I was not comfortable in my own skin and I was the first person in my family to go to university: my only idea of what it was like to be a student came from books, film, and TV. It took time for me to be confident enough to do what I liked and go where I liked. Seven years on, my advice would be to live experimentally: to try things out and see what works for you.

Read more:  Being the first person in your family to go to university

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Essay on My First Day at College

Students are often asked to write an essay on My First Day at College in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on My First Day at College

Anticipation and excitement.

My first day at college was filled with a mix of anticipation and excitement. I was eager to meet my new classmates, learn from experienced professors, and explore the vast campus.

Class Introduction

The day began with a class introduction. I was nervous but soon found myself chatting with fellow students, sharing our dreams and aspirations.

First Lecture

The first lecture was intriguing. It was different from school, more interactive and engaging. I could feel the academic rigor and was thrilled.

Exploring the Campus

Post-classes, I explored the campus, discovering libraries, cafeterias, and the beautiful green spaces. It was an enriching and memorable day.

250 Words Essay on My First Day at College

The anticipation of a new beginning.

The day I had been waiting for had finally arrived – my first day at college. The blend of excitement, nervousness, and anticipation was a unique emotional cocktail. I had spent my entire summer imagining what this day would be like, but reality was about to exceed my expectations.

Embracing the Unknown

Walking through the grand entrance, I was immediately struck by the sheer size of the campus. The hustle and bustle of students rushing to classes, the diversity of faces, and the grandeur of the architecture made my high school seem like a distant memory. I felt like a small fish in a vast ocean, ready to explore the unknown.

Breaking the Ice

As I entered my first class, the room filled with unfamiliar faces, I felt a twinge of anxiety. However, the ice-breaking session, designed to introduce us to each other, eased my nerves. We shared our backgrounds, interests, and aspirations. It was a comforting reminder that we were all in the same boat, navigating the waters of this new life together.

Lessons Beyond the Classroom

The rest of the day was a flurry of lectures, introductions, and tours. But the most profound lesson I learned was not academic. It was the realization that college was not just about acquiring knowledge, but also about learning to adapt, making connections, and growing as an individual.

My first day at college was a whirlwind of emotions and experiences. It marked the beginning of a new chapter in my life, a chapter filled with opportunities, challenges, and the promise of growth. As I walked back to my dorm that evening, I knew I was ready to embrace this new journey with open arms.

500 Words Essay on My First Day at College

Anticipation and apprehension.

The transition from high school to college is a significant milestone in a student’s life. My first day at college was an amalgamation of emotions ranging from anticipation to apprehension. I was stepping into an environment that promised intellectual growth, new friendships, and a journey towards self-discovery.

The New Academic Culture

As I walked through the gates of my college, I was immediately struck by the sheer diversity of the student body. The campus was teeming with students from different backgrounds, each bringing a unique perspective to the table. This was a stark contrast to my high school, where the student population was relatively homogeneous.

My first class was an introduction to philosophy. The professor, a renowned scholar in his field, challenged us to question our beliefs and assumptions. The class was interactive, and students were encouraged to voice their opinions. This was a departure from the rote learning methods I was accustomed to in high school. The emphasis was on critical thinking and problem-solving skills, which are essential in the real world.

Building New Relationships

Another significant aspect of my first day was the opportunity to forge new relationships. I met my roommate, a friendly person from a different city. We found common ground in our shared love for music and literature. The day was also filled with introductions to future classmates, professors, and administrative staff. Each interaction was a step towards building a network that would support me throughout my college journey.

Extracurricular Activities

The college also showcased a plethora of extracurricular activities. The clubs ranged from debate societies to sports teams, each offering a platform to pursue passions outside the academic realm. I was particularly drawn to the student-run newspaper, seeing it as an opportunity to hone my writing skills and stay informed about campus affairs.

Embracing Independence

Perhaps the most profound aspect of my first day at college was the sense of independence. For the first time, I was responsible for my schedule, managing my time between classes, extracurricular activities, and personal time. This newfound freedom was both exciting and daunting. It signified the beginning of my journey towards becoming a self-reliant individual.

My first day at college was a whirlwind of new experiences, filled with anticipation, excitement, and a bit of nervousness. It marked the beginning of a transformative journey, a journey that would shape my intellectual growth, personal development, and prepare me for the challenges of the future. As I reflect on that day, I realize that it was not just about the start of my college education, but also about the start of a new chapter in my life, one that would be filled with opportunities, challenges, and lifelong learning.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

• Essay on Working From Home
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• Essay on First Day at Work

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How to Survive Your First Week of College as a Freshman

Posted: October 28, 2021 | Author: Abbie Cochrane | Read Time: 5 minutes

Ten Tips for Your First Week in College

Adulting is important.

The first thing you should worry about when you get to college is where the nearest grocery store is. Be sure to set aside time to make a grocery list and head to the store every week to pick up what you need. Nowadays, lots of stores have options for online shopping and curbside pickup, so that can save you loads of time. Just make sure you are buying foods other than Takis.

Along with making healthy eating choices, be sure to get the sleep you need as well. Don’t pull an all-nighter every day of the week to study or watch Netflix. College is a lot harder when you’re falling asleep in the middle of the lecture.

Make sure you also pick a day to do your laundry. No one wants smelly clothes, so be sure to add that to your weekly agenda. Speaking of cleaning, choose a day of the week when you have time to clean your bathroom and deep clean your kitchen. Vacuum, dust, and wipe down everything so that it looks clean and nice.

Pack Your Bags

There is no worse feeling than reaching into your backpack to pull out your laptop…only to remember you left it on your desk in your dorm. Set aside a minute every night to get your backpack put together before class in the morning. Don’t overpack, but bring things that you know you will need besides your school supplies (i.e. a water bottle, portable charger, paper to write your Snapchat username on to give to that cutie in your math class, etc…). Here’s more on what to bring on your first day of class .

Get it Done

Start your homework the minute you receive it. DO NOT PROCRASTINATE! If you hate doing homework alone, get together with classmates or roomies to study together. Homework can pile up quickly, so put down the video game controller and get started.

Do Your Research

Learn about the school you’ll be attending. What activities are held that you would be interested in attending? What are some of their traditions? What do you need to do before you start school? Pretty much every college has a website for you to look at with any questions. For more information about Southern Utah University, visit the SUU T-Bird Nation Blog .

Utilize Resources

For those attending SUU, be sure to follow SUU on Instagram , Twitter , and Facebook for updates on activities, or download the SUU app for daily reminders and mobile student resources. These are fast and easy-to-use ways for you to stay up to date on the goings-on on campus.

You can also find help on homework, presentations, and college life in general through SUU’s Campus Resources ! There are several options for tutoring or academic/ career advising available to students, as well as mental health counseling, information about the HOPE Pantry or Dining Services, ways to access financial aid help, and so many other programs designed to help students like you get involved around campus or the community, or get some advice. All campus resources are there to help students succeed through personalized plans or involvement. For contact information on any campus service, follow the link and get started with SUU Campus Resources today.

Put Yourself Out There

College is a great place to try your hand at things you may not have considered in high school. Join clubs, sign up to volunteer around the community, go to school-sponsored events. Having something fun to do after you get your work done makes college that much more enjoyable. It’s also a great way to make new friends and try something new as a college freshman! Who knows? Maybe you’ll discover something new about yourself, too.

Ask Questions

You may have come to believe that asking questions is a sign that you weren’t paying attention when something was explained, but this is most definitely not the case. In college, your whole academic life revolves around finding answers to questions. Asking questions doesn’t mean you weren’t paying attention, it’s a sign that you want to know more.

Don’t understand that last chemistry problem? Ask your professor. Curious about signups to go donate blood? Text the number on the flyer and ask. Want to know more about school-wide events? Talk to your ACE . Everyone on campus is here to help you get acclimated to college life quickly so you can start to succeed faster.

Introduce Yourself

We get it, you’re shy and don’t like to make the first move when you talk to someone new. Well, making friends is going to be pretty tricky, especially considering that every new college freshman is in the exact same boat as you. Everyone wants a friend, so might as well take a deep breath and say hi to the people in your classes. Chances are, they’ll be super relieved that you decided to come out of your shell to let them know that you want to be friends.

Explore Campus and Your Community

Take a day to drive around town and familiarize yourself with restaurants and other places around campus. There is so much more college life has to offer that lies beyond the boundaries of campus. Go check out outdoor recreation, find a nearby library, go to a museum or a play. SUU has all these options and more for you to see. Adventure awaits those who seek it out. Follow the Cedar City Tourism Bureau to see more about what Cedar City has to offer.

You Got This!

Most importantly, don’t forget to breathe. Moving and starting college can be very stressful, but it’s important to remember that this fear and anxiety is temporary. You will get acclimated faster than you think. It’s all part of the process, so get ready for the best next four years of your life down at SUU.

For more information about SUU and tips for incoming college freshmen, be sure to check out the blog posts below, freshmen tips from a new freshman , or go to the First-Year Experience Office .

And good luck with your first week of college!

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Model descriptive essay on your first week of college.

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Establishing good habits can never start too early. Contrary to rumor, good habits enable freedom, as opposed to procrastination which makes you a slave to all that is left undone. Thus, the first week of college is an essential for establishing good habits, increasing awareness, and setting yourself up to make the most of your college experience. This essay will offer a synthesis of tips, observations, and wisdom to help you enjoy your first week of college and should vastly benefit those considering buying a model descriptive essay of their own.

How to be prepared in your first week of college

The first thing to do to overcome the procrastination temptation and set yourself up to have the best first week at college is to be prepared. This means:

• Have your materials ready.
• Know your schedule.
• Get to know the layout of campus ahead of time.
• If possible, do not work during the first week.

Ideally, no college student would work during college so they could put all their focus and energy into maximizing their education. However, in today’s stressful culture that is unrealistic. In compromise it may be helpful not to work the first week of college. Instead, start off with relaxed attention. Using resources wisely is critical to getting the most out of your college experience. At Ultius, we offer a wide variety of writing resources and services that can help ease the stress of college.

First week of college blast

For many college is the first time you have lived away from home, and taken on this level of independent action and responsibility. While there is no way to avoid making mistakes during any new experience, every mistake can be learned from to improve time management and performance. Keep in mind,

While you’re mapping out your day’s route, take note of how long it takes you to walk from your dorm to your first lecture and between classes. For the first week, give yourself an extra 10 minutes. Chances are your first-year cohorts will also be there a little early too, which will give you a chance to chat with new people before class begins. (Tenreiro)

Memorizing names, locations, and lessons during college is crucial, especially during finals. Ultius has a great blog on boosting memory for finals that offers some helpful tips and tricks. During the first week of college you will be meeting many new people, and while you will not be able to remember most of the names there are a few ways to navigate this overexposure. For example,

Don’t be afraid to say, “Hey, I know we met that first week, but I’m terrible with names. What’s your name again?” Then after you’ve chatted for a bit, as you’re walking away, envision their face and repeat their name in your head several times so it “sticks.” (Wang)

Most all college experts emphasize it is great to meet new friends, but just as important to keep old friends. While maintaining prior relationships may not be the focus of the first week it is always good to remember that in the sea of new faces you have a support network from home that still care. 

Find your place

The first week of college will likely be quite overwhelming, and so it will be helpful to find a quiet place to relax and unplug. While, “Most of the time you’ll be surrounded by other people. There’s your roommate(s), people next door, or people on other floors, and there will almost always be other people in the campus center or dining halls” (Wang). It is helpful to take some alone time every day, and this may need to be scheduled in. It's extremely important to have alone time just to absorb thoughts, or to de-stress, especially after a tough final . Having an honest conversation with your roommate, you may be able to see where your two schedules mix so that both of you can have the room to yourself for at least an hour each day. Communication is key for healthy roommate relationships, and honoring your need for space and quiet is important to stay grounded in the midst of fast change (Grasso). 

While college is a busy time, many students will find they have more free time than ever before due to being out of the wing of their parents and having new say on how you spend their time. So, “Don’t just sit around when you have free time. Use it wisely. And by wisely...go exploring. Explore the campus, checkout the surrounding area, join a club, go to a sporting event, try a new restaurant” (Wang). You may envision yourself as an explorer of new worlds, an excavator of yourself, and see each day as a new adventure unfolding. So much of your emotional experience is based on the perspective you choose to cultivate. So why not chose a fun one?

Not having fun writing your essay? Check out this sample paper on how to write an essay .

Tips for a great first week of college

A great first week can turn into a great first semester which could lead to a great college experience. No pressure, right? Here’s a few tips for making that first week fun:

• Wear comfortable shoes. You will be walking a lot, and foot pain will distract and cause unnecessary stress and strain. 
• Stay hydrated: if you love coffee remember you need twice as much water as coffee to stay at the minimum of hydration, and more to be hydrated. Which means if you drink three cups of coffee you need six cups of water at base, and ten to be supported. 
• Keep your stress level low . Don't worry about things that aren't a priority.
• Keep a healthy snack with you so that if and when your brain calls for reinforcements you will be equipped to support your learning organ. 
• Try to keep your backpack from being too heavy to avoid back strain. 
• Get enough sleep. This may be a tall order, but if you do not put your health first you will be undermining every effort. 
• Keep a planner in which you write down all that you do not want to forget: names, numbers, places, times, appointments, assignments, resources, passwords, etc. Taking notes by hand helps enhance memory retention. 
• Practice time management. Don’t overbook yourself, and don’t force yourself to be in a rush. Take on as much responsibility as you can comfortably while still enjoying the journey and having time left over for vegging. 
• Turn off your phone. Since you are paying a great deal to be in college do yourself a favor and turn off your smart phone while in class and while doing homework. Give your attention fully to whatever you are doing and you will get more out of it than paying scant attention to ten things. 
• Never study one hour before bedtime: all will get dumped in the short term memory gap sleep creates.

Dealing with displacement and homesickness in the first week of college

Homesickness and nostalgia  for the way things were back home are natural responses to the vast change of moving to a new location for the first time. Depending on how far or different your campus is from your home, displacement and homesickness may increase. All the tips mentioned prior will help create a healthy foundation for your first week in college, and most important is being sensitive to your needs. This means not becoming totally engrossed in the needs and desires of others, but maintaining personal boundaries which help you met your needs. However, it’s important not to become distracted. Try to balance boundaries while expanding them. So, in the first week of college why not try:

• College ice-breakers
• Go to a frat party
• Try different dining halls, and different coffee shops 
• Meet all the people on your floor
• Try making friends with your R.A
• Meet your assigned counselor
• Check out some club meetings (Grasso)

After exploring the options in college it will be easier to see where you fit, who you enjoy being around, and where you feel most comfortable. While it may be obvious you're a freshman , don't be afraid to stand out. Another good way to deal with displacement resulting from feeling lost in the crowd is to “Introduce yourself by name to your teachers. Memorize their names before you meet them, and if biographical information about your teacher is online, read it. Introducing yourself will help you establish a good relationship with your teacher” (Milone). This may be considered brown-nosing to some, but also displays a desire to be known and to learn, which is the root of college. 

Make new friends

Meeting new people can be both fun and challenging, and a great way to cure displacement and ease homesickness. However, keep in mind “When you meet new people, try to learn about them before you talk about yourself. Getting people to talk about themselves shows you are interested and is a good way to build friendships” (Milone). Key in meeting people is being non-judgmental and open to allowing the person to show you who they are. In this process remember a person is what they do, and not just what they say (Lucier). If a person consistently says one thing but does the other that is not a healthy person to be around, and will likely be a chaotic distraction best avoided. 

Safety during your first week of college

Remember to be safe your first week of college and always. Even in college where one sexuality starts to bloom , it's important to remain smart and safe. Until you really know someone and have developed trust it is not always safe to be alone with them, as the rates of college sexual abuse are staggering. Establish strong relationships with friends who will help look out for your safety as you look out for theirs (Cerbone). College experts emphasize that in the first week of college it is smart to avoid;

• Don't hook up. It's smart to give yourself (at least) a one-week delay before hooking up. It's much easier to regret not hooking up than it is to regret it.
• Don't start a relationship. You're at college to learn, explore, try new things, and overall challenge yourself. (Lucier)

Take your time and enjoy the process of getting to know new people slowly. Are you a high school student getting ready to go to college? Check out this guide on ACT and SAT test preparation .

While college is an exciting opportunity, the first week may feel similar to jumping in to the deep end of a pool if you don’t do some prep work. Knowing your limits will not only enable you to protect them, but to expand them at rates which are sustainable. Remember don’t try to get everything done at once, but make a plan which can be fun and engaging. Balance work and play while trying new things your first week at college. Take a few pictures, make a few memories, and send them back home to let your friends and family know you have not forgotten their love. 

Looking for other model descriptive essays? Check out our Descriptive Essay on Community Schools .

Works Cited

Cerbone, Rachel. “How To Survive The First Few Weeks Of Freshman Year.” Society 19, 1 Jun. 2016..

Grant, Hannah. “13 Things You'll Learn During the First Week of College.” College Humor, 31 Aug. 2012.:

Grasso, Chelsey. “8 Things To Do During Your First Week Of College, Because You Want To Get The Year Off To A Good Start.” Bustle, 27 Aug. 2015. 

Lucier, Kelci Lynn. “10 Rules for the First Week in College.” About Education, 2016.

Milone, Michael. “10 Tips for the First Week of College.” College Express, 2016.

Tenreiro, Jacqueline. “6 things that will happen during your first week at college.” USA Today, 29 Jul. 2015.

Wang, Rosanna. “10 Tips to Survive Your First Week of College.” Testive Talks, 21 Jul. 2015. 

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10 Things To Do Your First Week of College 2024

Ah, the fresh smell of a new school! Your first week of college is likely to be a whirlwind of new information, new people, and new environments. College is all about finding a balance between getting good grades and having a flourishing social life. Having a successful first week will set you up for the rest of the semester. 

1. Participate in activities for first-year students

They might be cheesy, but activities geared toward first-year students are a great way to meet new people and get familiar with the campus. Remember that everyone there is in the same situation as you and don’t be afraid to ask questions!

2. Don’t panic – have a plan

Walk around campus and get acquainted with where everything is located – ideally before your first class. Check out where your classes will be. Try to walk from your 8:00 AM math class to your 9:30 AM geography class. Will you have time to stop at the student-run coffee shop for coffee or breakfast in between classes? Make sure to find the Registrar in case you have class questions as well as the Student Health Center and Student Fitness Center to keep yourself healthy. 

3. Get out of your comfort zone

Getting out of your comfort zone is…uncomfortable. College is a time when you can push yourself to try new things. Head to the Student Activities office or student activities fair and sign up for one or two clubs or teams that interest you. From book clubs, intramural sports, and knitting circles to sororities, service-based groups, and religious organizations, there’s bound to be something that sparks your interest!

4. Prioritize your schedule

With so many new things happening, it can be difficult to prioritize what’s most important. Write down your ideal schedule, or the top things you want to accomplish each day. Is working out important to you? Schedule time in your day for going to the fitness center or biking around campus. Do you want to make sure you check in with your family once a week? Schedule in a phone call. Or maybe you need to get out of your dorm to really focus on homework. Find a good spot at the library or a favorite coffee shop where you plan to go every Sunday to get all caught up and prepped for the week.

5. Find a study spot

Locating a quiet spot to get work done may be challenging, but it is essential! Whether in your dorm room or on campus, an ideal study spot should:

• Be relatively quiet and free from distractions (or bring noise canceling headphones)
• Be near a printer (because even though it’s 2022 , professors still love powerpoint slides!)
• Have adequate lighting
• Have snacks and caffeine nearby for late-night study sessions

6. Have a secure and memorable spot for your ID and keys

You don’t want to be that person who misplaces their ID card five times in one semester (like I was) or the person running around campus looking for the key to their dorm room. Have a system for where you put your important items after you use them. Maybe it’s a basket right by the door in your room, a lanyard around your neck, or a pouch in your backpack- but try to use the same spot each time! Plus, that student ID will likely get you food, building access, gym access, library books, and even  discounts ! So, you definitely don’t want to lose it.

7. Establish a healthy sleep schedule

Who has time to sleep in college? You do! Prioritizing sleep is super important. Aim for 7-9 hours per night. If you don’t get enough sleep, your ability to learn and remember information is negatively impacted. Getting adequate sleep leads to better grades, mood, and memory. So get your Zzz’s so you can get A’s.

8. Check out the different dining options

Whether your college has one dining hall or ten, make time to stop by all of them in the first few weeks. Try different meals at different dining halls- the menus likely change per dining space! You may discover one dining hall as the best salads, while another makes the best macaroni and cheese bites. It’s good to know all of your options, especially if you have night classes and will be stopping for dinner on the way.

9. Fill out your planner

Time to dust off the  planner  that you never used in high school! After you receive your syllabus for each class, fill in your assignment due dates, test dates, and any other important information you can glean from the syllabus. If you’re feeling extra crafty, color-code your entries based on assignment type (test, project, presentations) or by class to keep yourself organized.  

10. Slow down

College is a marathon, not a sprint. It’s tempting to sign up for too many activities and overbook yourself. Don’t be afraid to recognize that you’ve overcommitted and back out of an activity. Find time to get away from the bustle of college life and spend time by yourself to reflect, meditate, pray, read, or just be still. Your brain will thank you!

Most importantly, enjoy your first week of college! Remember to  stay hydrated , be aware of your surroundings, and don’t be nervous to try new things. You’ll only experience your first week of college once, so get ready to make new friends and dive into exciting challenges both in and out of the classroom!

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How to survive the first week of college.

735 words | 3 page(s)

Given the importance of attending college, it is natural that new students would want to begin the process in the most advantageous way possible. Taking on the initial challenges well, it is usually believed, will render the entire experience easier, and better guarantee success. All of this is true, if only because the confidence that comes from starting off well will vastly work in the student’s favor in the months sand years to come. To survive the first week is to enable ongoing success. It is then all the more ironic that the best way of surviving that first college week is through fully admitting that there is no chance whatsoever to do well, or perhaps even survive. Surrendering to self-destruction, as will be seen, is the only truly dependable means of making it through college.

To begin with, and in terms of actual survival chances, there is the crucial factor of displacement. If it seems that this nihilistic viewpoint cannot possibly help in surviving the beginning of the college experience, this is only because not enough thought has been given to the reality facing the student. The new college student is, in every sense, leaving one world and entering into another. The familiar environments of home, high school, and circles of friends are not less helpful; they are gone. Consequently, so too is the student’s familiar and trusted sense of self. Once all the defining elements are missing, there is no identity at all first entering those college halls, signing up for courses, and meeting new people. The student is non-existent as a person, so to hope to survive is misguided, if not outright ridiculous. It may be argued that this is, in fact, an opportunity to develop in ways never before possible and to rely on a foundation of character forged in early years, but that view is highly optimistic.

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Secondly, there are the frightening challenges of the actual work and study. This is education at a higher level, of course, so there can be no actual readiness for it. How, it may be asked, can anyone learn when the material is both new and elevated from anything learned before? It may be said that survival here is merely a matter of accepting the challenge of making a greater effort, and employing skills and knowledge already attained to ease the process. This too, however, is a naïve perspective. It demands that the student commit in a way never before asked of them, so the chances of survival are greatly reduced. A hopeful student, one who does not fully accept that there will be no survival, may believe that honestly asking for help from professors and other students, even in guiding the first course selections, will make this possible. This, however, would require that others in the college would actually be willing to facilitate education, and there is no reason to expect that to be the environment.

Lastly, the sense of isolation of the student, thrust into the new setting and demands, is likely to destroy any possible chance for survival because they will forget the reasons they chose to attend in the first place. Given the pressures of the first week, it is inevitable that the reasoning behind the choice will evaporate to nothingness, and the student will confront the fact that a disastrous decision was made. There are, of course, some students who will embrace the difficulties because they know that, in the end, they will have the degree and the education of which they dreamed. Most, however, will be so lost that only the hard reality of an enormous mistake is left to them. Surviving, then, can only occur when there is no hope of doing anything more than surviving.

When the entire reality of the first week of college is truly seen, one fact becomes obvious: to expect to survive the first week in college is an absurd ambition. Too much is new and nearly impossible to address, and believing that skill and effort will make a difference is delusional. Consequently, the only real means of survival is through understanding that survival is the absolute best that can be hope for, and that success is out of reach. Once this reality is accepted, the student, having nothing whatsoever to lose, can only move forward. Ultimately, giving into self-destruction is the only truly dependable means of making it through college.

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Home — Essay Samples — Education — Why Is College Important — The First Semester in College: Personal Experience

My First Year College Experience

• Categories: College Education College Experience Why Is College Important

About this sample

Words: 1214 |

Published: Aug 30, 2022

Words: 1214 | Pages: 3 | 7 min read

Works Cited

• Bruni, Frank. “How to Get the Most Out of College.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 17 Aug. 2018,

Should follow an “upside down” triangle format, meaning, the writer should start off broad and introduce the text and author or topic being discussed, and then get more specific to the thesis statement.

Cornerstone of the essay, presenting the central argument that will be elaborated upon and supported with evidence and analysis throughout the rest of the paper.

The topic sentence serves as the main point or focus of a paragraph in an essay, summarizing the key idea that will be discussed in that paragraph.

The body of each paragraph builds an argument in support of the topic sentence, citing information from sources as evidence.

After each piece of evidence is provided, the author should explain HOW and WHY the evidence supports the claim.

Should follow a right side up triangle format, meaning, specifics should be mentioned first such as restating the thesis, and then get more broad about the topic at hand. Lastly, leave the reader with something to think about and ponder once they are done reading.

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A Fitness & Lifestyle Blog

September 2, 2015 | Posted in: College

First Week of College: A Reflection

College is amazing. People say this is the best time of your life, and I totally believe them. Everyone is so nice and the energy here is overwhelming. I cannot believe that I’ve been here for two whole weeks! Where did the time go?! This week was my first full week of classes, and it was exhausting. I wrote a post about my first day of college , but I also wanted to do one talking about my first full week of class.

Monday morning came way too early. Well, not that early. My first class was a 9:40, but it’s in a building that’s a good 15-20 minute walk from my dorm. It’s introduction to accounting. So much fun. The subject itself isn’t that interesting, but my professor is great. She actually has a personality, and she’s hilarious. Later that day, I had my first Intro. to Algorithmic Design class today! You probably have no idea what that even is. It’s a computer coding class all about coding Java. I am going to look forward to that class every Monday and Wednesday because my professor is so cool. He makes coding Java and computer science seem like so much fun. So that was basically my day on Monday and Wednesday.

Tuesday and Thursday I have an 8 AM lab in a building that is 25 minutes from my dorm. It’s such a pain to get there, but the walk is super relaxing. There’s no one really walking around campus that early in the morning. It’s really peaceful. I have my English class on Tuesday/Thursday as well. I love that class, but it falls at such an inconvenient time. It’s a food themed English class scheduled right during lunch. My stomach growls throughout the entire thing.

My Tuesdays are by far the longest day during the week. My first class is at 8 AM and my last class gets out at 7 PM. An 11 hour day is exhausting. Not to mention the homework that also has to be done. Luckily, I only have one class on Fridays which means that I can do most if not all of my homework on Fridays! That means no homework over the weekends!

Ok, so enough about class. A majority of college isn’t made up of classes and homework, it’s what you do with the time you have here. My floor is really close, and we hang out a majority of nights in the study room. We don’t actually study. We play card games, Cards Against Humanity, watch movies, and just hang. My friends and I go to all of the sporting events. So I’m writing this on a Sunday. The past two days, we’ve been to three volleyball games and one soccer game. We go mainly to get our point for football tickets, but also because they’re so much fun to watch!

This past week has been great, and I realize how much I love being in college and being independent. If you’re a high schooler reading this, realize that high school is nothing like college. Now that I’m here, I realize how much I didn’t like high school.

How was your first week of classes? What was your favorite college memory? I love to hear from you all!

-Abigail T.

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Articles & Advice > Student Life > Ask the Experts

How Can I Make My First Week of College Great?

The college adjustment period is a fairly universal experience for most students. If you want to make that first week easier, our experts have advice.

by Michael Milone, PhD

Last Updated: Apr 4, 2024

Originally Posted: Sep 5, 2011

• Track your time carefully: Be realistic about how long it will take you to get to your classes, meetings, and other events. Everything takes longer than you think, so be generous about allowing yourself extra time to get around and you’ll feel less stressed, Try not to waste any time—get to your classes, set aside time for learning your syllabi , and give yourself a little fun time but not too much (this is the first week, after all).
• Introduce yourself to your professors: Memorize their names before you meet them, and if they have online bios, read them. Introducing yourself will help you establish good relationships and gain mentorship that will be invaluable in college. Another rule of thumb for when you meet new people in general is to try to learn about them before you talk about yourself. It shows you're interested and is a good way to build friendships.
• Find quiet places on campus to study: Identify places you think would be conducive to getting work done—both indoors and outdoors. You’ll study better when you aren’t distracted, and given the chaos of the first week of college, these quiet spots could be very refreshing. This will help develop the habit of studying in these places and partaking in distributed practice rather than cramming. Distributed practice is more efficient, you will be able to retain more information, and you will be able to retrieve it more readily. 
• Keep yourself organized:  If you find a safe and convenient place for your books, notes, backpack, computer, music, and such that you return them to each time you come back to your dorm, you’ll feel better and won’t waste time looking for them.
• Get enough sleep:  Sleep helps you physically and mentally, which improves your academics . Things you learned during the day are more likely to find their way into your long-term memory if you've had a good night’s sleep.
• Be careful with your diet: The chaos of the first week of college may cause you to stress eat. Keep healthy snacks around and try to eat on schedule. Proper eating habits will help you feel better, think clearly, and improve your college experience.
• Exercise during the first week: Even if it's as simple as a 30-minute walk, you should keep your mind and body fresh by exercising during the first week. The time you spend exercising this week and beyond will help you meet the challenges college may bring. 

If you're looking for more advice on adjusting to college from a student who's been there, read our blog on 5 Important Things to Do When You First Start College.

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What I’ve Learned From My Students’ College Essays

The genre is often maligned for being formulaic and melodramatic, but it’s more important than you think.

By Nell Freudenberger

Most high school seniors approach the college essay with dread. Either their upbringing hasn’t supplied them with several hundred words of adversity, or worse, they’re afraid that packaging the genuine trauma they’ve experienced is the only way to secure their future. The college counselor at the Brooklyn high school where I’m a writing tutor advises against trauma porn. “Keep it brief , ” she says, “and show how you rose above it.”

I started volunteering in New York City schools in my 20s, before I had kids of my own. At the time, I liked hanging out with teenagers, whom I sometimes had more interesting conversations with than I did my peers. Often I worked with students who spoke English as a second language or who used slang in their writing, and at first I was hung up on grammar. Should I correct any deviation from “standard English” to appeal to some Wizard of Oz behind the curtains of a college admissions office? Or should I encourage students to write the way they speak, in pursuit of an authentic voice, that most elusive of literary qualities?

In fact, I was missing the point. One of many lessons the students have taught me is to let the story dictate the voice of the essay. A few years ago, I worked with a boy who claimed to have nothing to write about. His life had been ordinary, he said; nothing had happened to him. I asked if he wanted to try writing about a family member, his favorite school subject, a summer job? He glanced at his phone, his posture and expression suggesting that he’d rather be anywhere but in front of a computer with me. “Hobbies?” I suggested, without much hope. He gave me a shy glance. “I like to box,” he said.

I’ve had this experience with reluctant writers again and again — when a topic clicks with a student, an essay can unfurl spontaneously. Of course the primary goal of a college essay is to help its author get an education that leads to a career. Changes in testing policies and financial aid have made applying to college more confusing than ever, but essays have remained basically the same. I would argue that they’re much more than an onerous task or rote exercise, and that unlike standardized tests they are infinitely variable and sometimes beautiful. College essays also provide an opportunity to learn precision, clarity and the process of working toward the truth through multiple revisions.

When a topic clicks with a student, an essay can unfurl spontaneously.

Even if writing doesn’t end up being fundamental to their future professions, students learn to choose language carefully and to be suspicious of the first words that come to mind. Especially now, as college students shoulder so much of the country’s ethical responsibility for war with their protest movement, essay writing teaches prospective students an increasingly urgent lesson: that choosing their own words over ready-made phrases is the only reliable way to ensure they’re thinking for themselves.

Teenagers are ideal writers for several reasons. They’re usually free of preconceptions about writing, and they tend not to use self-consciously ‘‘literary’’ language. They’re allergic to hypocrisy and are generally unfiltered: They overshare, ask personal questions and call you out for microaggressions as well as less egregious (but still mortifying) verbal errors, such as referring to weed as ‘‘pot.’’ Most important, they have yet to put down their best stories in a finished form.

I can imagine an essay taking a risk and distinguishing itself formally — a poem or a one-act play — but most kids use a more straightforward model: a hook followed by a narrative built around “small moments” that lead to a concluding lesson or aspiration for the future. I never get tired of working with students on these essays because each one is different, and the short, rigid form sometimes makes an emotional story even more powerful. Before I read Javier Zamora’s wrenching “Solito,” I worked with a student who had been transported by a coyote into the U.S. and was reunited with his mother in the parking lot of a big-box store. I don’t remember whether this essay focused on specific skills or coping mechanisms that he gained from his ordeal. I remember only the bliss of the parent-and-child reunion in that uninspiring setting. If I were making a case to an admissions officer, I would suggest that simply being able to convey that experience demonstrates the kind of resilience that any college should admire.

The essays that have stayed with me over the years don’t follow a pattern. There are some narratives on very predictable topics — living up to the expectations of immigrant parents, or suffering from depression in 2020 — that are moving because of the attention with which the student describes the experience. One girl determined to become an engineer while watching her father build furniture from scraps after work; a boy, grieving for his mother during lockdown, began taking pictures of the sky.

If, as Lorrie Moore said, “a short story is a love affair; a novel is a marriage,” what is a college essay? Every once in a while I sit down next to a student and start reading, and I have to suppress my excitement, because there on the Google Doc in front of me is a real writer’s voice. One of the first students I ever worked with wrote about falling in love with another girl in dance class, the absolute magic of watching her move and the terror in the conflict between her feelings and the instruction of her religious middle school. She made me think that college essays are less like love than limerence: one-sided, obsessive, idiosyncratic but profound, the first draft of the most personal story their writers will ever tell.

Nell Freudenberger’s novel “The Limits” was published by Knopf last month. She volunteers through the PEN America Writers in the Schools program.

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Guest Essay: Martha Minow’s commencement remarks

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During my first week of college, my dorm neighbor hung a poster with Henry David Thoreau’s statement, “If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer.” The roommate posted on the opposite wall, “No Man is an Island.” Both seemed like good insights, but they also seemed at odds with one another: celebrate distinctive individualism versus recognize all humans are joined together.

Today, some say, “Work against injustice!” As Archbishop Desmond Tutu explained, “ If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.” And yet others stress: Don’t demonize your foes! Philosopher Judith Butler wrote: “ Until we learn that other lives are equally grievable and have an equal demand on us to be grieved — especially the ones that we’ve helped to eliminate — I’m not sure we’ll really be on the way to overcoming the problem of dehumanization. ”  

Work against injustice; don’t demonize your adversaries. Can both views be right? Maybe F. Scott Fitzgerald’s observation helps: “The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposing ideas in mind at the same time and still be able to function.” 

The touchstone for me comes from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s 1963 “Letter from a Birmingham Jail.” Dr. King had organized a peaceful civil rights protesting racial injustice after being told that his group would never be granted a permit because of their views. Without notice or participation to King, city officials obtained a court order banning the march. Dr. King and seven other ministers were arrested and placed in jail. Then eight white Christian clergymen opposed the civil rights protests and issued a public call urging patience. Dr. King wrote his letter in response while he was locked up in the era of lynching in a jail in Birmingham, Alabama. He wrote:

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.”     

This statement endures because it makes palpable how justice is and must be about recognizing that all of us are interconnected despite social divisions and stark disagreements. Inequality enchains people in hierarchies not of their making, spelling advantage and disadvantage.  Dr. King presciently praised the nonviolent demonstrators in Birmingham “for their sublime courage, their willingness to suffer and their amazing discipline in the midst of great provocation. One day the South will recognize its real heroes.” The world has indeed recognized the heroism of the nonviolent civil rights movement participants in stories recounted in schools, during holidays, and at memorial structures, teaching new generations.

Or so it seemed. But in the past few years in the United States, 44 states have considered laws restricting instruction by schools or employers about race and even about civil rights history. These laws — adopted already in 18 states — prohibit instruction that may make some people feel they bear “personal responsibility” for historic wrongdoings because of their race, gender, or national origin. The laws are defended as ways to prevent division and association of the United States with racism. Court challenges are proceeding to protect freedom of speech and information.  Struggles against inequality and injustice risk erasure. The histories we teach and learn reflect fights over what to remember.

I n the United States in 2024, the belief that we are divided is one of the few things that Americans currently have in common.  Half of Americans report they prefer their country to be composed primarily of people with roots in Western Europe and the other half disagree with that view.  Tensions in other countries reveal resentments, division, and distrust, dividing people by religion, immigration status, or wealth. Unscrupulous leaders and social media platform algorithms amplify outrage.

Drawing distinctions between groups is apparently deeply ingrained in humans. But the definition of  “us” versus “them” reflects arguments and fears, not immutable realities. Ideas about racial or gender hierarchy rest on notions of race and gender despite their lack of scientific validity—and such ideas and practices persist regardless of facts. Ideas, often deeply flawed, about religions, disabilities, and other differences inform people’s fears and beliefs. Narratives about identity and history become part of people’s consciousness as children learn from adults.  Beliefs resistant to factual refutation operate as ideologies.  “History shows us we need labels to help define our place. For hundreds of years, people have categorized others as less so they could feel like more, ” writes law professor Steven Koh.   

Disagreements will be inevitable; can they occur with civility and respect? Can those who disagree listen?  It’s hard to listen when our identities are implicated in the fights; then it all seems about survival.  We put up barriers when we feel threatened. It becomes difficult then to see shared humanity, much less accord the kind of respect that makes the world safer for everyone. 

Yet sometimes, those who disagree—we—can even on occasion persuade one another.   David Singleton, who used to direct the Ohio Justice & Policy Center once explained to me that the people he had initially written off as political opponents became critical allies in a movement to reform the criminal laws in Ohio.   Today’s adversary can become an ally another day. Prospects for that possibility dim when disagreement leads to banishment.  And history tells how coalitions across many kinds of difference have been at the center of successful movements for civil rights, labor rights, environmental protection, and human rights.  Prospects for that possibility dim when disagreement leads to banishment.

Demonizing others unleashes a deeper problem.  It “strips away the humanity of other groups of people and threatens to unleash the darkest aspects of human nature,” remarked human rights activist Salil Shetty.   Even when motivated by righteousness against injustice, demonizing others opens passions that can destroy and shame, spurring new rounds of dehumanizing violence.   Resisting that path while mobilizing against injustice is emotionally and intellectually hard.  I know. I must work on it daily, and not just because I drive in Boston.

My hope is that we can learn from patterns of division and polarization to anticipate backlash, to mobilize transformative practices along with cultural creativity—as Bryan Stevenson has done by building the National Memorial for Peace and Justice, and the related museum and sculpture park in Montgomery, Alabama.  How can we build durable activities and institutions to advance justice and to strengthen fair and peaceful dealing despite ongoing disagreements?  By durable, I do not mean unchanging.  To the contrary, durable work addressing what is unfair must anticipate disrepair, conflict, and our human frailties.  

I am a fan of Star Trek, the science fiction saga that grew from a small audience cult television show to a global media franchise. It tells of 23rd and 24 th century space travelers in allegories to contemporary dilemmas.  In one episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, competing groups race across planets to find scattered pieces of a prized relic from a prior civilization.   A team from different societies collaborates to locate the first piece, then the second, and finally the third piece in different locations.  Then, suddenly, one of the team assembles the pieces together and turns on the others, announcing that the pieces, once assembled, make a powerful weapon.  Our hero—Captain Picard who is conveniently also an archeologist—orders his crew to drop their weapons and clear their minds of aggressive thoughts.  He explains that he was able to read the symbols on the device and discerned that it amplifies anger, but peace defeats its power.   Metaphorically, tamping down even understandable fury is key to building enough peace to proceed with the work of building justice and better days.

What I have said today may madden everyone here; if so, that could be a way to come together! I’m still trying to talk myself down the demonizing ledge where I landed while writing a brief this winter.

Perhaps we all can agree that “the past is written, but the future is left for us to write.”   One way or the other, we will write the future.  Let’s do so not by amplifying hate but by remembering how we each are uniquely of value and we each are part of one another.

WSN’s Opinion section strives to publish ideas worth discussing. The views presented in the Opinion section are solely the views of the writer.

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