Jaren Freshman Year W-Curve

5.

1.

Acceptance

4.

Isolation

3.

Initial Adjustment

2.

Culture shock

1.

By Jaren Hopkins

Freshman Year W-Curve

Honeymoon

I experienced the honeymoon stage when I first moved onto campus for the DELTA program. The DELTA program allowed me to live on campus, learn about the resources available to me, explore the campus, and make friends. During this time I felt extremely excited to for this new independence, happy to meet new people, and overall feel more prepared for this next step in life.

Honeymoon

The first phase of the W-Curve is the Honeymoon stage. This is where we are inexperienced for what's to come, but still very excited to start our college journey.

I experienced culture shock as I took my first round of midterms. I found that my study routine (or lack of one) that I was used to in high school would not work for me in college. I struggled to find the balance between studying, hanging out with friends, and being healthy, all while still completing my assignments on time. This was a tough time, where being homesick only increased my stress.

Culture Shock

The second phase of the W-Curve is the Culture Shock stage. This is where reality kicks in and students compare their idealized expectations of college life to the complex social and academic challenges they face.

My initial adjustment came by the time finals came.After the rude awakening of the first midterms, I was able to change my habits to better prepare for the second and third set of exams. My improved gradesalso reflected my general happiness at this time. I became comfortable in my routine and started to feel like I belonged at college once more.

Initial Adjustment

The third phase of the W-Curve is the Initial Adjustment stage. As we start building a healthy routine and good habits, students gradually gain our sense of control back in this phase.

Like many students, I experienced isolation the most during the winter quarter, after winter break. Seeing family during breaks is a fun time where you can catch up and share your new college experiences. It can also take you out of that routine you just started to feel comfortable in. Home may also just feel different than what you remembered. Combined with the terrible weather, isolation can be rough

Isolation

The fourth phase of the W-Curve is the Isolation stage. During this phase, a mental isolation develops where students feel split between their new college life and their old life back home.

I felt acceptance on campus after the spring quarter. As the weather got warmer, I felt I had finally found my group of people, as well as my own identity on campus. Dealing with classes became second-nature. I no longer struggled to study or turn assignments in on time. I even had the chance to start looking forward to my future, by going to a STEM conference and applying to STAR.

Acceptance

The last phase of the W-Curve is the Acceptance stage. Here students find a sense of balance as we feel at home in our new environment, strengthen our identity, and feel connected to our environment.