The Freshman Syndrome of Mistakes
August 31, 2017 was the day I officially became an AUBG freshman, but my AUBG journey started long before that. I met with people, both current students and alumni. They told me all about the do’s and don’t’s of our university. They shared their blissful moments spent in Skapto’s lobbies, the nights that ended at Lelya Krasi’s, the raves in Under, the blanket parties in between BAC and ABF, and all the nice memories they had of the university. Not one of them was brave enough to confess the mistakes they made. The classes they missed out on, the opportunities they let go to waste. But this is them. These are my mistakes.
Being Absent
No, not from classes. We all miss a class or two. When you wake up in the morning, still hungover from last night, the 9am class is definitely not the most desirable place. This mistake is about being absent, overall. I had the privilege of living just one hour away from campus, but at some point, I came to realize this was my biggest disadvantage. I did not spend a single weekend on campus during my first year. The result? I knew nobody. I missed all the events. I wasted one whole year of possible friendships and useful opportunities, just to go back to my hometown. Do not, and I repeat, DO NOT do this. Take the time to get to know people, to see how quiet halls are during the weekend, to attend that event they have on Saturday. When your AUBG career comes to an end, you will miss all this time. Or regret that you didn’t spend it there. Your choice.
Not Being Involved Enough…
AUBG is full of opportunities to develop yourself outside of academia. You like sports? Join Olympics. Performing gives you a thrill? The musical awaits you. Always wanted to study law? Jessup is thriving. Want to do something else? Establish your own club. Freshmen are sometimes too scared to join anything, as it all seems too time consuming. But being in a club at AUBG is the thing that will give you the practical skills that set you apart from all the rest. This is a golden opportunity served to you on a silver platter. Take it, embrace it, do not be scared of it. Your choice.
…Or Being Too Involved
Extremes are never a good idea, ask any scientist. During your first month of classes at AUBG, there will probably be a party happening every evening. Clubs are playing top hits, screening photos from their past events, and inviting you to have a blast. They all tell you how their club is the best, and that you should definitely apply. But do not be too tempted. Clubs are a great opportunity, but they are also very demanding. In my high school, I was a part of six different clubs, but at AUBG, I barely get things done with two. Do not take them too lightly. Join one your first year, maybe a second the following year. But juggling four different clubs and getting a hold of college life is sometimes too stressful. Take it one step at a time. Your choice.
Flocking Together
You have heard the saying, birds of a feather flock together. Well you, as a majestic pigeon, should get yourself involved with the eagles. Freshman year can be nerve-racking, so the easiest thing to do is to hang out with other people of your standing, probably of your nationality (or a close one) too. Get out of you comfort zone. You have been constantly told that AUBG is diverse. Use that to your advantage. Expand your circle, meet with older students, share insights with people from completely different cultures. This is what will help you grow outside of your limits. And is also quite useful when choosing whether to take a class with professor A or B. Your choice.
Taking Too Long
One of the greatest things about the liberal arts system of education is that you don’t have to make a lifelong choice straight-out-of-high-school. You have some more time to choose what field you want to pursue, career-wise. But this is also one of the trickiest things about the system. When I was graduating high-school, I had zero idea what I was interested in. I was promised that at AUBG I can take my time, even wait until junior year, to decide my major. Wrong. Take your first year to experiment. Sign up for different classes, check a few GenEds off your list, find your passion. But by your second year, you should, more or less, know your major. Otherwise, you might end up like me — with a single major at the place whose biggest advantage is the possibility of double majoring. Your choice.
Worrying About It All Too Much
Yes, university is important, but nothing is set in stone. Who says that majoring in JMC won’t get you on the top of a business’s hierarchy? There are alumni who majored in COS and founded a food company. Your major does not define you. One pro tip I learned at AUBG is that classes are not that important. It is the connections you make, the projects you leave behind, and the events you get yourself involved in. The most overused phrase around campus is “AUBG is the people.” Think about the reasons people say it so often, and then apply it to real life. Your choice.
Everything is your choice, after all. This is your personal university experience. Even after reading all of this, you probably will repeat my mistakes. And that’s okay. But take it from someone whose AUBG experience is close to its end. Enjoy it while you can, and flourish in its advantages once it’s gone.
Because AUBG is great.
Desi Manova is a Journalism and Mass Communication student at the American University in Bulgaria. She regrets many mistakes, but most of all, wasting a whole year that could have been great.
