**Reflections on My Initial Year in Materials Science and Engineering**
*Authored by Dawson La, Materials Science and Engineering (MEng)*
Ten months ago, in October 2022, I was overwhelmed with anxiety, fear, and a sense of uncertainty regarding what was to come. I was on the brink of starting my path as a first-year student in [Materials Science and Engineering](https://www.imperial.ac.uk/study/courses/undergraduate/materials-science-engineering-meng/?utm_source=blog&utm_medium=internal&utm_campaign=mra-blogs&utm_content=link) at Imperial College London. For someone who had always been introverted and quiet, venturing into the unfamiliar was far from my comfort zone. However, as I reflect on the past year, I recognize an academic journey filled with personal development, obstacles, and a significant amount of enjoyment. So, what insights has this year provided, and where do I stand now?
### Conquering the Anxiety of Forming Connections
One of the most intimidating challenges I encountered was the task of making friends. If you’re an incoming student reading this, you may be experiencing similar feelings of anxiety. On my initial day of moving into my housing, just days before classes began, I spent the whole day concealing myself in my room, too afraid to venture out and introduce myself to others. Fast forward to now, and I can proudly say that I’ve formed some of the closest friendships I’ve ever had, both within my program and throughout the university. I’ve discovered a second family here at Imperial, and it all kicked off with a simple conversation with others who were also feeling apprehensive.
So, what did I gain from this experience? I learned that taking that initial step at the beginning of the year is always worthwhile. If you don’t feel prepared or at ease, don’t stress! There will be plenty of social events and chances to interact with others. Above all, I discovered that being authentic is crucial. With such a diverse population at the university, you’re sure to encounter those who resonate with your interests and values.
### Addressing the Academic Transition
Another major challenge was adapting to the workload and the heightened complexity of the material. There was certainly a significant transition from A-levels, and an even larger leap from the first term to the second. Being thrust into such a demanding environment can easily undermine your confidence, especially when observing others studying and beginning to question your own abilities. But here’s the silver lining: recalling that everyone is experiencing similar struggles. If you’re confused about something, there’s a good chance others are too. So, don’t hesitate to seek assistance. This may very well be the most crucial lesson I learned during my first year—reach out to your fellow students and the faculty for guidance!
### The Value of Staff Support
On the subject of staff, I can’t stress enough how fantastic the Materials department team is. They genuinely desire for you to thrive and fully understand the obstacles students encounter. They empathize with our challenges and maintain open lines of communication throughout the year to tackle any issues. While I didn’t fully take advantage of the pastoral support until later on, I wish I had engaged with it sooner.
At the beginning of the year, I took a bold step by becoming a year well-being representative. This position afforded me the opportunity to foster relationships with staff members, which has proven to be immensely beneficial. There are numerous avenues to connect with the staff, and doing so can be one of the best choices you make for yourself. My key message here is to utilize the support being offered—you can never have too much assistance!
### Concluding Thoughts
In retrospect, this year has shown me that the anxiety I experienced before and during my time at university was mostly unwarranted. With the extensive support available from both staff and fellow students, I’ve recognized that I am never alone. Most critically, I’ve learned how to strike a balance between having fun and managing the unavoidable pressures of exams and deadlines.
By [Guest Blogger](https://blogs.imperial.ac.uk/student-blogs/author/bloggers/)
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