First week of classes: Freshman vs. sophomore year
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The first week of school is always cause for nerves, excitement (for some), and plaintive wishes for the summer to never end.
As a freshman in college, the dreaded first week is cause for even more worry. Starting school at a university can be a terrifying event.
As a new sophomore, I immediately recognized drastic differences in how the first week, and even just the first day, played out compared to last year.
Adjusting to dorm life vs. settling into an off-campus apartment
Though living in the dorms does have perks and is definitely a right of passage that everyone should experience, it can often be cramped, noisy, overwhelming, and temporary.
The first week of school is rough for everyone. You have to get back into the routine of waking up early, sitting in class for an hour, and doing homework. It is especially trying for first years; on top of just starting classes at a big and scary university, they have to adjust to dorm life (read: disgusting communal bathrooms, new roommates, and loud neighbors).
My dorms from last year
In an off-campus apartment, the first week is considerably more streamlined. There is much more space to sprawl out, between the bedroom kitchen, and living room. It feels a little more like a home, rather than a really tiny hotel room.
The best part of having an off-campus apartment (at least for me), however, is having a kitchen. So long to the dining hall’s watery eggs and under cooked rice, hello freshly brewed coffee and warm, home-cooked meals.
Scrambling to make friends in class vs. sitting next to friends you know in the class
In the usual buzz and chatter before class starts, you can discern friendly small-talk conversations between freshmen. They follow the classic formula in exchange of names, majors, and which dorm.
Meanwhile, the sophomores and upperclassmen quickly scan the room, locate a friend that is also taking the class with a little head nod or wave, and take their seat next to said buddy.
Taking extra time to get ready vs. rolling out of bed at the last possible second
Still fresh from the high school days of laying out a carefully selected outfit to impress on the first day of school, the freshmen come sporting new kicks and trendy ensembles.
If you see someone wearing sweatpants, athletic gear, or school sweatshirt, chances are that they’re an upperclassman.
Arriving 10 minutes early for class vs. arriving just before it starts
Freshmen are chronically early the first week of school; being late to a college class is a freshman’s worst nightmare. Plus, many of them don’t realize that Berkeley time (classes start 10 minutes after the scheduled time) is a thing.
But for sophomores and upperclassmen, having a class at 9:00 means sliding into their seat at 9:09.
Eyes glued to campus map vs. headphones in and strolling along
It’s a big campus. There are a lot of buildings. It’s totally understandable that freshmen have their eyes locked on their Google maps. It’s totally differentiating, too. While the freshmen are continuously glancing at the buildings around them, and then back down at their phones, upperclassmen confidently brush past them.
Don’t worry little freshmen – you too will soon have your shades on and headphones in as you strut to class.
The first week of school may be so much more stressful for freshmen than it is for sophomores and upperclassmen, but everyone goes through it. After that first week of that first year, it just gets easier.
Well, the adjustment part, at least. Classes don’t get easier.