By Shannon McKenna
Round Table Lifestyle editor

Four book reports, three math worksheets, two art projects that are only half completed, one lab assignment, and fulfilling daily gym requirements. For freshmen college students, it may seem as though there aren’t nearly enough hours in the day. Finding time to complete school work, along with having a social life, is a challenge in itself.

Once students receive their diploma it marks a new chapter in their lives, and with that chapter comes more work and determination. Freshmen year college students are thrown into the unknown. The standards that Middletown High School students have always achieved are nothing compared to the higher level of learning that colleges offer.

American Interest magazine editor Walter Russell Mead has done a report showing that 75 percent of entering freshman aren’t ready for the work load that comes with college. Although students dive into college with high hopes, many don’t anticipate the amount of work they will be facing once they start.  

“In college it’s so much harder; no teacher is going to hold your hand the way they do in high school,” said MHS graduate Carlee Lammers, a freshman studying journalism at West Virginia University.

To add to an already busy schedule of homework, many students also participate in social or extracurricular activities.

“It was really hard to adjust; I immediately wanted to be involved in as much as possible. I rushed a sorority, learned the sousaphone for Towson’s Marching Band, and took 15 credits so I was bombarded by schoolwork. It was a big adjustment and much more time had to go into studying,” said MHS graduate Angelica Flowers, a freshmen studying occupational therapy with a certificate in autism and pediatrics at Towson University.

As a way for high school students to make themselves fully prepared for their future classes all high school students should try to give themselves a full work load, rather than taking “easy” classes.

“I really need to start studying harder and prioritizing what I do based on importance, not want. It’s going to be hard, but I know that once I set my mind to it, I will be able to switch gears,” said MHS senior Maddie Nissel. Nissel plans to major in speech and language pathology and minor in music at Loyola University.

Working hard doesn’t mean not having a good time.

“I’m trying to enjoy every minute of it [senior year], I’ve held myself to high standards and push myself to do my best in terms of schoolwork. I’ve been taking AP classes since sophomore year, which has really helped prepare me for the workload I’m about to face in college,” said MHS senior Jenna Witman. Witman is hoping to study at Washington College and major in English.

There are plenty of freshmen who had strong track records of academic success in high school, and who did well on the SAT or ACT but then struggle when they get to the college level.

“I think it’s important to take advantage of the opportunities we’re given in high school to transition into the life of a college student; we’re given nearly all the tools, resources and knowledge we need to properly prepare for this important change,” said Witman.

As it turns out, only 52 percent of college freshmen rated themselves as “above average” in emotional health because of the intense work they face freshmen year.

Students should take a deep breath, work their hardest, take time to enjoy the little pleasures and ask for help when they need it.

“I think if you keep up with the work and the fast-paced schedule, like you would in high school, it becomes a lot less difficult and overwhelming,” said MHS graduate Taylor Graham. Graham is a freshmen currently studying hotel management at Johnson and Wales University, but plans on transferring to Frostburg University for her sophomore year.

College can be a fun and exciting time in a young person’s life. It’s a great opportunity to experience new things, and it can lead to important moments that will shape a students future, provided they survive the demanding lifestyle. 

“There is undoubtedly a lot more work assigned, but everyone has a lot more free time to do it,” said MHS graduate Mallory Vaughan, a freshmen who is currently studying Arabic at College of Charleston, “It’s definitely not like high school, though, where you can just coast through doing the minimum amount of work and still get decent grades. Grades in college are definitely more determined by the work you put in.”