Sorting Things Out

So it's late October and you're still trying to sort all of this college stuff out.  You like Nassau okay and you're happy for the most part with your classes and professors, but you have lots of questions: about your major, your career, your identity, your life--serious business all around.  In the short term, you know that registration is coming up in November but you really don't know what to take. You feel it would be good if you could talk to someone about school (and maybe a few other things going on), but you don't know where to go or whom to see or even how to start.  It's all pretty confusing . . . .

Any of this sound familiar?  It should.  LOTS of students feel this way midway through their first semester, give or take a few weeks.  The newness of college has worn off, work is piling up, pressures of all kinds are mounting, and school and life sometimes seem like that pathless wood in Robert Frost's "Birches" (good poem if you haven't read it).

Moments like this are made for a network.  I'm not talking about computers or television here, but instead about people--a network of professors, advisors, counselors, tutors, and others on campus whom you can call upon for help, information, ideas, or even just a sympathetic ear. 

Nassau has plenty of people who care about students and who are willing to listen and talk.  Chances are you already know some: that professor who seems friendly and approachable; the academic advisor who helped you pick fall classes and who told you to come back if you had questions; the faculty member or dean who spoke to your group at orientation (and who may have even given out a business card); your NCC 101 instructor, always a helpful resource--and somebody you see every week.

But you have to get over your awkwardness and take that first step.  For some people, knocking on somebody's door or scheduling an appointment is a challenge.  If you didn't talk much to teachers and counselors in high school, you may feel weird doing so now.  Part of you may also think that you're wasting people's time with your questions or concerns and that you should figure out all of this school and life stuff on your own. 

Problem is, the "I'll-go-it-alone" approach doesn't work all that well: everybody--no exceptions--needs some help/advice/reassurances now and then.  And the sooner you realize that and connect with people who can help you make sense of things, the more manageable college will seem and the more content you'll be.  Meeting with an advisor or counselor or chatting with a friendly professor probably won't answer all of your questions on the spot, but it will help.  It will also make starting the next conversation that much easier.

Students who network--who talk with professors, advisors, counselors, and others--learn the value of such relationships early on. They know that going to class, keeping up, and taking their education seriously is still their responsibility--no substitute for that--but they also know that no matter what their concern, help and advice are available.  

If you have questions or need to talk with someone, no time to waste.  Time to begin, also, to build that network of people whose offices you can visit when the moment calls for it.  Like the rest of life, college can be confusing and stressful at times.  But know that you're not in this alone.