I lugged my suitcase up the stairs, which were in need of immediate repair, and across a narrow hallway. Staring at the dark brown door of my small single dorm room, I dumped my dorm key and ID card from the yellow envelope they gave me at the check-in. Entering the humid, empty room, I already felt tears in my eyes. I was alone, all the way on the opposite side of the country, wondering why I even signed up for this summer program. What if I didn’t make any friends? What if there is too much homework that I wouldn’t be able to really enjoy this pre-college experience?
These are common fears of most students when planning to go to a summer program. However, you shouldn’t be nervous or overthink it. Here are some students’ fears that prevent them from going to a summer program, but they shouldn’t be afraid and go since the fears are unfounded.
1. Social life
The biggest fear that everyone tends to have when attending pre-college programs is social life. You may be afraid to speak up and start a conversation with someone you do not know or you may also be nervous that no one will like you. But you shouldn’t worry about any of these because everyone is in the same boat, and they will talk to you because they also want to make friends. Plus, no one knows each other well yet, so people are eager to connect. Pre-college programs also facilitate friendships by having students participate in ice breakers and other events on the first day, such as walking around the campus and hanging out on the Green. You might find that, after one or two events, you’re already meeting people from across the country and learning about different cultures/traditions.
2. Difficulty of the course and amount of homework
The amount of homework that students are assigned and the difficulty of the course seems to worry many students. You are probably afraid that you will fail the class or not earn the credit if the class is too difficult. However, it really depends on what course you take. And yes, indeed, some courses may be difficult because they are all college-level courses. However, most programs balance this by keeping class time manageable, allowing for free time in the evenings and on weekends (though it helps to use the weekends to stay on top of assignments). This is a great opportunity to build your study habits and even improve your time management! Even if a course seems challenging at first, TAs and other staff are usually very approachable and ready to help.
3. Away from home for the first time
While the freedom from families is exciting, it can also be intimidating to care for yourself for the first time. Homesickness is natural, but summer programs are packed with activities that keep you busy that you tend to not even think about being away from your home. But even if you still miss being away from your family or your home, it’s not the end of the world and you will still be able to contact your parents when you need help. Being on your own is a valuable opportunity to learn about yourself, gain confidence, and develop independence—skills that will serve you well in the future. So let yourself explore and discover who you are and try new things! Embrace this time to explore and try new things, while remembering that good decision-making is essential since your choices have consequences.
4. Something going wrong
Worried something might go wrong? It’s likely that something unexpected will happen–everyone has those moments! I remember once, when my friend and I accidentally flooded my dorm room with the water from my broken air conditioner. We didn’t realize the RA was available to help, so we tried to clean it up ourselves and ended up with a damp, smelly mess! But don’t worry–these little mistakes aren’t a big deal. Just look around your dorm building because they usually have information posted with emergency contacts and RA numbers for support. And think of it this way: mistakes like these teach resilience and problem-solving skills that will benefit you far beyond the summer program.
5. Safety
Safety is a priority at these programs. Staff and campus police work hard to make sure everyone feels secure at the campus. Especially for Brown, police cars drive around the campus every hour or so and students need their Student IDs to lead themselves into the dorm buildings. However, you’re also responsible for your own choices: make sure to walk with someone you know and avoid going out too late! These experiences teach you to navigate safely and take responsibility for yourself, which is great practice for college. In the end, a summer program is about more than academics. It’s a chance to step out of your comfort zone, meet new people, balance social life with studies, and develop life skills. So go ahead and embrace the challenges and enjoy the journey! You’ll likely look back on it as a life-changing experience.
Comments are closed.