Authored by Dawson La, Materials Science and Engineering (MEng)
Ten months prior, in October 2022, I was overwhelmed with anxiety, fear, and uncertainty regarding the future. I was on the verge of starting my Materials Science and Engineering degree as a freshman. Venturing into the unknown was not something my previously timid and reserved self was familiar with. Looking back now, I recognize a year filled with personal growth, challenges, and plenty of enjoyment! But what insights have I gained this year, and what is my current situation?
One of the initial and most intimidating hurdles was establishing friendships. This is certainly one of the more nerve-wracking aspects of commencing university, and if you’re an incoming student, it could be one of your greatest concerns. On my first day of moving into my residence, a few days prior to the start of the term, I spent the whole day secluded in my room, too intimidated to venture out and introduce myself to others. However, today, I can confidently assert that I’ve formed some of the most remarkable friendships I’ve ever had, here at this university and within this program. I’ve discovered a second family at Imperial, and it all initiated with casual conversations with people in similar circumstances. So what have I learned? I discovered that taking a leap at the beginning of the year is always beneficial. If you don’t feel prepared or at ease, don’t fret! There will be numerous opportunities for ice-breaking and events to facilitate connections with others. I also learned that if there’s one thing to be, it’s yourself. There are a multitude of diverse individuals throughout the course and university; you’re sure to encounter people who resonate with you.
Another challenge was managing the workload and the complexity of the material. There was certainly a transition from A-levels, and in some aspects, an even greater leap from the first term to the second. Being thrust into such an environment can sometimes shake your confidence; you might observe others studying and feel inadequate. A few things aided me through that sensation, one of which was the reminder that everyone shares the same experience. If you’re struggling to understand something, I can almost assure you that others are perplexed by it as well. So, don’t hesitate to ask for assistance. This might be the single most crucial lesson to embrace in the first year. Seek help from your classmates and the faculty!
This leads me to my next point. The staff in Materials are incredible. They desire for you to succeed and acknowledge that students face difficulties. They are empathetic towards students and maintain ongoing communication with us throughout the year regarding our challenges. I didn’t fully utilize the support services until the year’s end, but I wish I had done so earlier. I mentioned taking leaps previously – I took one at the start of the year by becoming a year well-being representative. This role enabled me to connect with the staff, which is immensely beneficial. There are numerous opportunities to build relationships with the faculty, and it’s certainly one of the best initiatives you can undertake for yourself! My primary takeaway from this facet of university is to maximize the support available to you. You can never have too much help!
Overall, this year has illustrated to me that anxious feelings, both leading up to and during university, are nearly always unfounded and can be mitigated with the extensive array of support options offered by faculty and fellow students. It’s made me realize that I’m never on my own, and it’s taught me how to enjoy myself in conjunction with stressors such as exams and deadlines.