delgadosandovals@lopers.unk.edu
Throughout the summer, I longed to come back to campus. At night I could not sleep from the excitement of having, once again, the opportunity to attend an amazing school, learn plenty of things and get to see my friends again.
I felt a pervading sense of isolation. No matter how hard I tried, I felt detached from everything going on around me. I was forced to live a life in exile for three months and I could not wait to come back.
Once I did, I could not help but think how mistaken I was. Although it is my second year here, there was a small voice in my head saying, “What did you get yourself into?” As summer winds down and the back-to-school activities intensify, it is easy to think that college life is a seamless journey of academic achievement and social engagement. However, for many continuing students, the start of a new academic year is not a straightforward transition but rather a source of significant anxiety.
The challenge lies in the subtle yet profound shifts that occur each semester, which make returning to college feel like stepping into an unfamiliar world.
One of the primary reasons returning to college induces anxiety is the constant evolution of the college environment. Unlike a static job where roles and routines remain relatively stable, college is an ever-changing landscape. Each semester brings new course schedules, evolving social dynamics and shifts in campus resources. For continuing students, this continuous change can create a sense of instability and unpredictability. What was once familiar may no longer be the same, fostering a feeling of disorientation and detachment.
Social dynamics play a crucial role in the college experience, and these too are in flux. New students enter UNK each year, altering the social landscape and potentially shifting existing friendships and networks. Continuing students might find themselves grappling with the reality that their established social circles have evolved or dispersed. This can lead to a sense of isolation as we navigate a campus where the familiar faces of past semesters are no longer as prevalent. The feeling of having to forge new connections or adapt to a changing social environment can be both daunting and overwhelming.
Academically, returning to college means adjusting to new courses, professors and possibly even different classroom dynamics. For many, this involves a period of readjustment to varying teaching styles and expectations. The pressure to perform well can feel amplified by the need to demonstrate progress and competence each semester. Additionally, students might face the challenge of balancing advanced coursework with personal and professional responsibilities.
Returning to college as a continuing student can often feel like stepping into a whirlwind of uncertainty and change. The familiar comfort of past semesters can be overshadowed by the new dynamics of the current one. Recognizing the sources of this is crucial, but equally important is having a toolkit of strategies to manage it effectively. Instead of resisting these changes, cultivate a mindset that embraces flexibility. This means accepting that things will not always go as planned and that adaptability is a key skill for thriving in an academic setting. Focusing on how to adjust rather than fixate on what is different can reduce the stress associated with these inevitable transitions.
The start of a new semester can disrupt established routines and create feelings of being unsettled. To counter this, work on building new routines that offer a sense of stability and control. This could involve setting regular study times, finding a new favorite study spot or establishing a consistent daily schedule. Additionally, identifying and incorporating familiar anchors can provide a comforting sense of normalcy amidst the changes.
Returning to college as a continuing student is a journey filled with both challenges and opportunities. While the sense of anxiety that comes with navigating a new semester is common, it can be managed effectively through a combination of flexibility, routine-building, support-seeking, organization and self-care.
