Authored by Dawson La, Materials Science and Engineering (MEng)
Ten months ago, in October 2022, I was consumed by anxiety, fear, and uncertainty about what lay ahead. I was on the brink of starting my Materials Science and Engineering degree as a freshman. Venturing into unfamiliar territory wasn’t something my formerly timid and introverted self was used to. Looking back now, I recognize a year filled with personal development, obstacles, and a lot of enjoyment! But what insights have I gained this year, and what is my current status?
One of the earliest and most intimidating obstacles was forging friendships. This is often one of the most frightening elements of commencing university, and if you’re an incoming student, it may be your primary worry. On my first day settling into my residence, a few days prior to the semester starting, I spent the entire day tucked away in my room, too nervous to venture out and connect with others. Today, I can assertively state that I’ve formed some of the closest friendships at this university and in this program. I’ve discovered a second family here at Imperial, and it all initiated with striking up casual conversations with others in similar circumstances. So, what have I gleaned? I learned that taking a chance at the beginning of the year is advisable. If you’re not prepared or at ease, don’t fret! There will be ample ice-breaker opportunities and events designed to help you engage with others. I also discovered that if you can embody one trait, just be yourself. With such a diverse group of individuals throughout the course and university, you’re sure to find those who resonate with you.
Another hurdle was the intensity of the workload and the complexity of the material. There was certainly a leap from A-levels, and in some respects, an even more significant leap from the first term to the second. Being in such a setting can take a toll on your self-esteem; you might witness others studying and feel inferior. Several factors assisted me during this phase, one being the reminder that everyone is experiencing the same challenges. If you find something unclear, I can almost assure you that others are too. Therefore, don’t hesitate to seek assistance. This may be the most crucial lesson to acquire in the first year. Reach out for help from both your peers and the faculty!
This leads me to my next point. The faculty in Materials is outstanding. They genuinely want you to thrive and recognize that students face struggles. They connect with students and keep open lines of communication about our concerns. I didn’t fully leverage the pastoral support until later in the year, but I wish I had done so earlier. I mentioned taking leaps previously – I took one at the beginning of the year by becoming a well-being representative for my year. This role helped me establish relationships with the staff, which is immensely beneficial. There are numerous avenues to get acquainted with faculty, and it’s one of the best decisions you can make for yourself! My key takeaway from this facet of university is to capitalize on the resources available to you. You can never have too much support!
All in all, this year has shown me that feelings of nervousness, both before and throughout university, are frequently baseless and can be mitigated by the supportive options provided by staff and peers. It’s enlightened me that I’m never isolated and demonstrated how to find joy despite stressors like exams and deadlines.