Three years ago, I left home and came to college. Destination: Michigan State University. Expectations? More than I ever could’ve anticipated.

Being in an environment I’ve never been in before, on my own, I built my collegiate story brick by brick with lessons I had yet to understand . 

Remember when someone told you academics are the key to making it through college? They were right — but only halfway. One of the biggest challenges I faced in my first few weeks at MSU wasn’t grades or adjusting to a new roommate. It was my physical health.

Just three weeks in, I tested positive for COVID-19. While I recovered physically, most of my grades did not. Getting sick during the most important stretch of freshman year is tough, especially when it means playing catch-up with classwork.

I would finish my first college semester, barely passing most of my classes. Now, with the pressure of improving in the spring semester, the freshman blues started to catch up with me.

But I did what I needed to do: pivot back and do better. And for my first spring semester, I did just that. Then a major roadblock made its way in my path.On February 13, 2023, our community faced a campus shooting. Saying I was devastated would be an understatement. I began to struggle with my classwork as grief took a toll on my mental health.

Remember when I said that academics are only half the key to success in college? Academics matter, but so does having the clarity to take things one step at a time — even if roadblocks try to throw you off course.

Over time, I started to heal myself, both inside and out, by taking more breaks in my work to give my brain a different task to follow through. The piano in the auditorium of ComArtSci started to heal my soul. Meeting new people, some of whom I now consider my lifelong friends, slowly started to give me more perspective as to how I can not only pivot back from the tragedy or pivot back from poor grades, but it also gave me the clarity and heart to face whatever challenge I encounter.

I ended the semester in a better place academically, with a renewed perspective on why I came to MSU in the first place. It was to pursue my passion for journalism and a childhood dream of becoming "The man with the microphone." That renewed faith stayed with me as I pivoted back through setbacks and kept going after the future I envisioned.

That realization became my compass during my time at MSU. I lived out my dream as a reporter for The State News, earned scholarships, and kept reminding myself to pivot back and rise each time I was knocked down.

Now, as I write this as a rising senior with less time ahead than behind, I still face roadblocks that try to throw me off track. But if I fall, I remain just as determined to pivot back.

To help you avoid some of the struggles I faced, here are a few tips to make your first college semester smoother:

1. Have constant communication with your academic advisor. No question is a bad question for advisors and it’s better to ask a hundred questions than zero. 
2. Keep hand sanitizer with you at all times. With so many students arriving, the chance of getting sick goes way up.
3. Talk to your professors. If you're struggling in class or facing something outside of school that’s getting in your way, being open with them can make a huge difference.
4. Just breathe. Your first semester brings all kinds of emotions, and that’s perfectly OK if you feel overwhelmed, burned out, or buried under work. Take a break. Do something you enjoy, even for a little while.
5. Protect your mental health. If you feel drained, uncertain, or overwhelmed, talk to a friend or connect with one of MSU’s professional counselors. A clear head and an open heart will carry you far.

With each step you take, you might stumble. You may even fall and feel tempted to stay down.

Don’t.

Build your own college story. Take your time. Find clarity when you need it. 

Academics matter, but it’s the courage to keep going and the clarity to face challenges that carry you through. No matter what, always pivot back.