Hi, I’m Ryan. I started college when I was nineteen, and honestly, the first month was a shock. In high school, teachers reminded us about everything. In college, no one chased me. I had to plan my time, remember deadlines, and figure out my own routine. At the beginning I missed two small assignments because I didn’t check the online system properly. It wasn’t a disaster, but it was a good lesson. I studied Business Administration at a big public university. The campus was like a small city: libraries, cafés, sports halls, and buildings for every department. My first-year classes were huge. In one lecture there were more than two hundred students. The professor spoke fast, the slides changed quickly, and if you didn’t take notes, you were lost. After a few weeks I learned a simple strategy: I always read a little before class, and I wrote down questions. That way, the lecture made more sense. The best part of college for me was meeting people from different places. My roommate was from a small town, and my best friend was an international student. We had very different backgrounds, but we helped each other. We studied together before exams, shared food, and talked late at night about our plans. I also joined a student club connected to marketing. We organised small events, invited guest speakers, and worked on real projects for local businesses. That experience helped me a lot later when I applied for internships. Of course, it wasn’t always fun. There were stressful weeks with exams and presentations. I remember one semester when I worked part-time and studied full-time. I slept too little and drank too much coffee. Now, when I look back, I understand that college taught me more than business theory. It taught me independence, communication, and how to keep going when things are hard.

Hello, I’m Nadia. My college experience was not a straight line. I didn’t go to college right after school. I worked for two years first, because my family needed help and I also wasn’t sure what I wanted to study. During that time, I worked in a small shop and saved money. I also took evening classes in English and basic computer skills. Slowly, I started to feel ready. When I finally started college, I chose Nursing. Many people told me it would be difficult, and they were right. In the first semester we had anatomy, medical vocabulary, and long reading assignments. I was nervous because I was older than some classmates and I felt behind. But I realised something quickly: being older was also an advantage. I was more disciplined, and I knew why I was there. My favourite part was practical training. We didn’t just sit in classrooms; we went to hospitals and learned from real situations. The first time I wore my uniform and entered a hospital ward, I felt proud and scared at the same time. I had to talk to patients politely, listen carefully, and stay calm. Sometimes it was emotionally heavy, especially when patients were in pain. After those days, I often came home tired, but I also felt that my work mattered. I also learned to ask for help. At first I tried to do everything alone, but it was too much. Then I started studying in a small group. We explained topics to each other, shared notes, and practised for tests. That support made a big difference. College was challenging, but it changed me. It gave me confidence, and it opened a new future for me. Now I am finishing my program, and I feel ready to work and keep learning.

Hi, I’m Omar. I came to college as an international student, and my experience was a mix of excitement and struggle. I moved to another country when I was twenty, and everything felt new: the language, the teaching style, and even simple things like how students speak to professors. Back home, education was more formal. Here, students asked questions freely, and professors expected discussion, not only silence and listening. I studied Computer Science. I liked the subject, but the first semester was tough because of the workload. We had weekly coding tasks, quizzes, and group projects. The hardest part wasn’t programming itself; it was time management and communication. In group projects, everyone had different ideas, and sometimes people didn’t answer messages quickly. I had to learn how to speak up, suggest a plan, and keep the project moving without being rude. At the same time, college gave me opportunities I didn’t expect. The university had a career centre that helped with resumes and interviews. I went to workshops, improved my LinkedIn profile, and learned how to talk about my skills. I also went to office hours, which was a new concept for me. When I didn’t understand something, I could meet the professor or teaching assistant, ask questions, and get clear explanations. That support helped me feel less alone. Social life was another challenge. In the beginning I stayed with students from my own country, because it felt safe. Later, I pushed myself to join clubs. I joined a gaming club and a volunteering group, and that’s where I made real friends. Now, when I think about my college experience, I remember long nights of studying, but also small moments of growth—like ordering food confidently, giving a presentation in English, and feeling that I belong.