Abelina J. Nuñez
LV Life Editor
Social media, movies and TV shows create high expectations of what college is like, highlighting the social aspects of partying or hanging out with friends but ignoring the stressful parts like exams and assignments.
In a recent informal survey of 21 University of La Verne students, 19 said they were nervous before entering college, 12 said they were excited, while one reported hating the whole idea of college before coming here.
“I’m an international student, so I had to move here from Taiwan, so leaving everything there and coming to a new place was nerve-wracking,” Emily Lick, sophomore theater arts major, said.
Jair Moreira, junior music major, said he was excited to be on his own and have new experiences, meeting new people every day.
“I’ve never been exposed to new people all the time, and I get to hang out with my friends. It’s like living with my best friends, so I think it’s awesome.” Moreira said.
Fifteen students in the ULV survey said now that they’d started college, they love it, though 15 also said they are overwhelmed, while six said they are overworked, while one reported hating it.
Lick said she feels overworked because, with her major, she is constantly in the theater, and also doing manual work. Even though she enjoys it, she said she feels she does not have enough time for herself, and she is still looking for balance.
Jacqueline Silva Ochoa, sophomore accounting major, said she appreciates the social aspect, even though her homework keeps her very busy.
“There’s a lot to do, and I love it because it helped me develop as a person, both personally and professionally,” Silva Ochoa said.
“I was nervous to be away from (at first),” Liyah Ferris, sophomore biology major, said.
Ferris added that she loves college, especially being on campus with her friends.
“I think there’s a lot that goes into college because it’s your first experience being an adult,” Dakota Bechtel, sophomore psychology major, said. “I provide for myself, so it is all very overwhelming.
Still, Bechtel added: “It’s nice to be in an environment where people want to learn most of the time and people want to become better in what they’re studying, so I love that aspect of it.”
Seventeen students in the La Verne survey said they think college is “worth it,” while four said they do not believe it is worth it.
“I think it’s worth it for the experience, the independence because you get to learn more about yourself … and you just get to mature while you’re away from your family,” Moreira said.
And Ferris added: “I think if you have a good understanding of what you want to pursue, then go to college,” Ferris said. “For your career, it’s very helpful not only because it helps you learn the basics of what you need to know, but it helps you learn different learning styles, teaching styles and how to work collaboratively with different types of people.”
As for whether their expectations for college measured up to reality?
“My expectations…were kind of different compared to what I would see,” Ferris said.
If anyone is feeling overwhelmed or stressed, contact the Counseling and Psychological Services at 909-448-4105 or email at caps@laverne.edu.
Abelina J. Nuñez can be reached at abelina.nunez@laverne.edu.
Abelina J. Nuñez, a junior journalism major, is arts editor for the Campus Times and a staff photographer for the Campus Times and La Verne Magazine. She has previous served as LV Life editor, social media editor and staff writer.
