My First 2 Weeks at College as A Student

If you are nervous about starting College, don’t worry that’s perfectly normal. Most people are! We asked our new Student President about her first couple of weeks at College and this was her experience.

   Ellie Jamieson, NC Health and Social Care Student 2020/21 and Student President 2021/22

"Coming to college for the first time was daunting, but I soon realised that I had been worried about nothing and I settled into my first year well. With lockdown happening as I was going into second year; I was actually more nervous. The first two weeks were particularly nerve-wracking to me as I no longer had my college friends with me from the previous year, and I had to make new friends. However, it was more challenging as we didn’t have face to face classes, all of a sudden, learning was online. Luckily this new way of learning didn’t seem new for long, and it was easy to get into the swing of things.

"Induction is where I met everyone that was in my class for the year ahead, and I could tell that they were just as nervous as I was. Some of them were going to college for the first time or were re-joining education after not doing so for a few years.

"After the induction, when college officially started, I had a chance to properly meet everyone that was in my class and I enjoyed discovering what they liked and disliked, if they had any pets, their favourite movies, interests and skills and so on. Most classes begin with a few icebreaker exercises from the lecturers – it’s a way of getting to know everyone and helps us feel more relaxed. From that point on, with the blended learning (on campus 1 day every 2 weeks), I did find it harder to socialise and get to know other people as it was mostly online, but with our group chat we created on messenger we got there.

“Coming to College is daunting for the first time but you aren’t alone, most of the people in your class will have the same fears and worries especially about not making friends and not being able to find their way about, getting lost or knowing where anything is.”

"I’m glad the Student Association was there for me to help me feel part of the college community."