Congrats, Drovers! You’ve made it through a whole week of classes.
Hopefully you’ve been on time to all your classes and met some new friends who will help you along your college journey. That first week can feel like a whirlwind, especially for first-year students. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, but don’t stress. As the days go by, you’ll fall into a routine, and before long you’ll realize you’re handling classes, extracurriculars and social life all at once.
For me, this first week of the semester has felt a little different. Instead of worrying about what comes next, I can’t stop thinking about how close I am to finishing. I’m on track to graduate in May, and while that’s still months away, it blows my mind that the end is in sight. Looking back on my time at USAO, it doesn’t seem possible that it’s almost over. Part of me is ready for the next chapter, to see what life after college has to offer. At the same time, I find myself wishing I could slow down and relive a few of those moments I didn’t fully appreciate at the time.
That’s why my biggest piece of advice is simple: get involved. Whether you’re here for one semester or four years, USAO gives you countless opportunities to do something meaningful. Join a club, run for student government support artists, athletes, musicians and performers. Go to campus events and meet people outside of your friend group. Whatever you do, just put yourself out there.
The second piece of advice I’d share is to take your classes seriously. I’ll admit, I haven’t always worked my hardest in the classroom. But I’ve learned that if you put in the effort life becomes a lot easier. You don’t have to stress over surprise quizzes, and studying feels less like cramming and more like reviewing.
Most importantly, don’t let stress control your time here. Focus on what matters, take things one day at a time, and trust yourself. If you do that, I promise you’ll do great at USAO.
Matthew Yokum is a fourth-year communication major at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma.
