Humor: Surviving My First Day in College

I was excited and tense as it was my first day in college. Everything had been taken cared of: my room, my books, my clothes, and all the bits and pieces were nicely accomplished and done with.

As I entered the room, I was greeted by silence. There were snatches of conversations coming from one or two students but compared to my high school class, this was "eerie" silence.

I occupied one of the chairs in front as all of the backseats were taken. Aha! Every one of us was nervous and tense, I thought. This made me a little braver. I glanced at the young man beside me and saw that he was rubbing his palms frenziedly.

When he saw me staring at him, he said embarrassed, "it's cold in here." I smiled not knowing what to say, because I didn't feel cold.

"Er, what..." I started.

" What..." he started too.

We both laughed, and this relaxed me a bit.

"Ladies first, "he stated, smiling.

"I was about to ask your name."

"Ladies first," he was smiling again.

"I'm Jean," I smiled back.

"Andrew, here."

We shook hands and just then the professor entered the room.

She looked stern and scary, definitely not the smiling type. I could imagine the likes of Mathilda- the Witch. My anxiety regained the upper hand again; I was nervously twirling the pen in my hands.

"Okay everybody, either settle down or get out of the room," her voice reverberated inside the room.

There was complete silence after her announcement; you could almost hear a pin drop.

"Check your class cards, this is Clinical Chemistry 1 under the BSMT course and I am Ms. Ofelia Ganes,"

She wrote her name on the white board in big, fluent strokes.

She went on to explain what the course was all about, the various fields included in it and the requirements and projects for completion at the end of the semester.

There was one brave student who raised a question about why a certain project was required.

"You'll learn the answer to that question as we progress through the subject, "she replied, unrattled. I had thought she would act condescending. "And you are free to approach me after class if you don't want to ask the question here," she said.

I didn't know what prompted me to raise my hands.

"Yes? "She acknowledged me.

"Ma'am, are we required to take down notes?" I was concerned as I never took down notes during high school, but whenever my teacher saw me, she had always given me a demerit.

There was a giggle at the back row. What a stupid question, I thought belatedly. My cheeks were becoming hot as everyone stared at me.

I was waiting for a backlash from her, "Well, Miss..."

"Lopez, Ma'am," my voice quivered.

"Miss Lopez, this is college. You are old enough to decide which method best suits you. If you have a photographic memory, then by all means, don't write. " She looked at me like I was some specimen from outer space.

I heard Andrew chuckle.

"Does that answer your question, Miss Lopez?" She queried.

"Yes Ma'am, thank you." I sat down with my head bowed.

"Now, she will remember you," Andrew whispered.

"That was a stupid question," I said shaking my head.

"Hey, no. It was a brilliant move, "he winked at me.

I remained silent for the rest of the class as she continued with the orientation.

"You'll find college overwhelming but not unconquerable. Just remember, if others can, why can't you," and with that challenging statement, she left us.

Whew! I heaved a sigh of relief; so far so good. I had survived the first subject.

The succeeding three professors were more opened and had started the class in recounting true to life events related to the subject. All of them gave us tons of workload for the week.

Andrew and I went to the library during the one-hour break to start researching. I have found a new friend. (We have been good friends ever since.)

I had survived the first day in college with a slightly hurt ego, but other than that, I realized that college was not really that "scary" and insurmountable. It was just like high school in some ways: you met new friends and saw new places.

The big major difference was that in college, you have to learn how to decide on your own. You would be given more responsibilities. That is why before deciding on anything, weigh your options carefully. Once you have decided, stick to that decision come what may.

I opted to perceive the problems I had encountered in college as challenges to develop me holistically into a better person. Attitude has a lot to do with success, so I had chosen an optimistic one, and I had made it through college with flying colors.

Don't be anxious about that first day in college, relax and enjoy it instead. Whatever mishap that may happen, it still, would not be the end of the world!