Navigating the First Year: DAIS Class of 2024 in College

The DAIS Class of 2024 has been in college for a few months now, and it's exciting to hear about their experiences so far. From adjusting to campus life to finding new opportunities, our graduates are navigating this new chapter with enthusiasm and determination. Let’s take a look at what some of them have encountered along the way. 

Ein S.: "The transition to college is definitely a unique experience, but I’ve been really enjoying it so far. College gives you a lot of freedom with your schedule, meaning you have time for yourself in between classes. I’ve been using this time to grab a coffee and finish my homework or pre-read lecture notes before attending lectures. This freedom is not for everyone, but for me, it was a refreshing change from high school and allows me to efficiently leverage my time."

Joni L.: "Transitioning to college was unexpectedly pretty smooth for me, as I found a solid friend group the first week I arrived. I met a lot of old middle school and high school friends who I reconnected with immediately, so I had a wonderful community that welcomed me. Although there were some incidents that made me feel alone, those instances have only made me more comfortable in being by myself and enjoy every moment I get in finding who I am as an individual. I am honestly so glad I chose to come to the University of Arizona, and I can’t think of a better place for me, my career, and my personal life."

^{Dmitry (left) with friends}

Dmitry U.: "Lehigh University has treated me well, providing a supportive environment from the start. It is easy to find friends in college. After all, most of the freshmen seek to do the same with you. It is a different story, however, to build meaningful friendships. It takes time - a resource that can't be purchased or fought for. Luckily, I found my place on campus right away. I made new friends, joined the table tennis team, and secured a work-study position within the first few weeks. The process of balancing work and academics was my first lesson in navigating the transition to college life."

Bella W.: "Transitioning to a college student was challenging and transformative at the same time. Adapting to a new environment and managing academic stress might sometimes push me out of my comfort zone. Nevertheless, I very much enjoyed my first semester at a liberal arts college that has a tight-knit community. I got to explore all fields that I am passionate about, from engineering to theatre, and build close relationships with professors and peers."

^{Smith College campus}

Leon L.: "I’m studying at Grinnell College, a small school located in a remote town in Iowa. There’s not much to do in town, especially in the winter when it gets super cold. College classes are a lot more intense than high school, and every lecture covers a ton of material, so it’s really important to stay on top of things with prep and review. If you’ve got extra time, going to office hours is a great idea—whether it’s to get to know your professors better or to understand the course material more. College is pretty different from high school, so I’ve been working hard to get used to everything these past six months."

Good luck to the DAIS Class of 2024 as they continue their college adventures! We’re excited to see all that they will accomplish next.