October 9, 2025 by

High School Senior to College Freshman: The Fears I Had (and How God Met Me at Cedarville)  

When I made the transition from high school to college, I knew absolutely no one on campus. Once my parents left after that first Getting Started weekend, I was all by myself. I’ve worked through transition anxieties and finding new friends myself. That’s why I love reaching out to incoming students and new freshman and assuring them that they’ll be okay too, even when it’s hard!  

Adapting to the College Workload 

One of my biggest fears when coming to college was the workload difference. Even though I had taken dual enrollment classes at home, I knew college classes would be more intense. I would actually go to classes and make friends with the people I was sitting near — a foreign concept to this former homeschooler.  

In my mind, I thought college classes would be ten times harder than what I was used to. During my freshman year, I was convinced I would fail one of my classes, but come summer, I had passed everything just fine. I even ended up on the dean’s list both semesters. I was worried for nothing! It took a lot of work — especially in Politics and American Culture — but I made it.  

God had my back. Whenever I felt overwhelmed over an assignment or paper, it always helped when I took a minute to pray and hand my worries over to Him. He is always faithful whenever we turn to Him for help. As a matter of fact, despite the challenges, I even got 100% on my final for the Politics and American Culture class! I know I could not have done that without His help. 

Forming Friendships 

Leaving home wasn’t just hard because of academics but also due to moving away from friends. I had one really close friend my whole life, and coming to school without her was challenging. It took me a while to form friendships here, but God was watching out for me here too.  

The friendships I’ve made while at school have been amazing. Even though it was hard in the beginning and I was scared to meet new people, God provided me with the strength I needed every time. He brought the people He wanted me to be close with into my life and helped those friendships flourish. 

 

Getting Involved in Extracurriculars 

One of the other things I was nervous about was figuring out which activities I would do at college outside of classes and homework. In high school, I was very active, playing sports and going to my youth group whenever the church doors were open. Coming to school, I worried I would struggle to find things I enjoyed doing.  

When I attended the Student Life Involvement Fair with my roommate, we were both immediately overwhelmed by the number of student organizations and churches vying for our attention. I left the fair with my tote bag overflowing with pamphlets and chocolate, still not quite sure what I wanted to do.  

I’d signed up for a creative writing org, but that was about it. Over the course of the year, I tried whatever I could to see if I liked it. I competed in intramural soccer, joined a D-Group, got cast in Cedarville’s spring play, and attended creative writing org meetings every so often.  

Although I didn’t end up liking everything I tried, I’m glad I tried so many things. As I’ve progressed in my college career, I’ve been able to look back and see the blessings God had for me through each activity.  

The play especially offered me some of the best — and longest — nights during the spring semester. I loved being in the cast, and although I don’t have time to do it again, I’m so glad God allowed me to experience it. 

God’s Got You 

Honestly, my transition from high school senior to college freshman was hard. Freshman year was full of new lessons to learn. It’s hard to go from knowing what to do in high school to the new experience of being a freshman. Suddenly, you’re not the best in your math class or the most talented singer in the choir. You’re surrounded by people who are better at things than you are, and it’s easy to get intimidated or discouraged. I’ve been there. 

But no matter how scary it is, I can promise that God’s always got you. He has a plan for your freshman year and beyond, and it’s going to be wonderful. As a junior, I look back on my freshman year fondly not because it was struggle-free but because I learned and grew so much in my faith. Without freshman year, I wouldn’t be who I am today.  

If you’re going through some of the same struggles now, I hope you are encouraged that the Lord sees you and knows just what He has planned for you! And if your turn to come to college is coming up soon? Take the leap and trust that God has a perfect purpose for your 1000 Days at Cedarville University and beyond.   

Posted in: