Understanding campus experiences

Brandon Nyambiya Midlands State University

The majority of high school graduates often aim at furthering their studies with higher and tertiary institution qualifications, which is exciting.

The desire for freedom and adventure favours the bold in the new life’s journey. Although students are driven by different forces as they pursue this journey, the primary goal is eventually to graduate with a higher qualification.

This journey does not come with a user guide and the flip side of the coin is rarely mentioned by the predecessors.

The first few weeks are arguably the most confusing yet jovial moments on campus. Although a number of students are fond of meeting up new people this experience is not always the same with each and every student.

Some ultimately begin to question their decisions of going to a new place and meeting up new characters all together. A handful of first years often feel nostalgic moments during the first weeks but some start missing home months later.

The freedom that is handed by institutions give students a chance to mould themselves personally into young adults, despite the fact that some misuse this opportunity.

This is a whole new experience to some students as most have strict rules to adhere to at home. If one fails to stand firm they may fall prey to the freedom which may lead to unwelcome habits.

This brings to light the issue of peer influence which plays a major role in changing one’s character.

It is often the case that well-behaved students tend to change and start to indulge in different activities due to peer influence as the semester progresses. These notable changes are seen mostly in the second semester as the switch is experienced.

Fashion plays a major role in the brand creation of oneself on campuses. The desire to create a super brand may come at a price to some students.

Celebrities have influenced the new culture which is often exposed on campuses. The grounds are even to all students but the outcomes differ.

Less privileged students tend to improvise by compromising in order to attain certain things that, on campus, are termed flashy.

This has given rise to the current narrative of “slay queens and kings”. These merely refer to trendsetters with the latest designer clothes and state-of-the-art gadgets.  Pop culture has evidently influenced the learning institutions as the concept of idolism takes prominence.

Students are often required to attain certain basic and general skills from these institutions. Time management is one of those activities students are required to be able to execute under low supervision. The skill is eventually learnt overtime due to the available schedules for both school work and extra curricula activities.

Balance is key in attaining this skill as students merge personal and school activities.

However, this opportunity is vital because captains of industries have also passed through these phases and have also encountered similar experiences.

This has helped mould them into what they are today. In as much as the experiences are difficult to adhere to, they certainly create a better personality for the future.

One thing for sure is, we are all imperfect and mistakes are common in our lifetimes but word of advice to fellow students out there: “Try to be as authentic and original as possible as we will all be accepted as we are despite all our flaws”.

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