By Abigail Gan | Staff Writer
A very wise man once said, “Fish are friends … not food!” OK, maybe not a very wise man — more like a great white shark named Bruce, the leader of the Fish-Friendly Sharks support group.
Sometimes, it can feel like there is a divide between freshmen and upperclassmen. Freshmen can feel like Nemo, still finding their way and learning to journey without their parents, while upperclassmen can seem intimidating, much like Bruce.
The fact is, many upperclassmen are in a very different stage of life than the 18-year-olds who just graduated from high school. While freshmen are learning what it means to live on their own and become their own person, many seniors and even juniors are already looking forward to their future careers or getting married, and they have grown so much compared to the people they were entering college just a few years ago.
However, while it is true that freshmen and upperclassmen may be very different, the divide is not as large as it may seem.
Freshmen, that junior or senior who seems to have it all together with the perfect friend group, ideal sorority or fraternity, stable relationship or future job was actually in your shoes just a few years ago. More than likely, they looked up to the juniors and seniors of their time and hoped they would be more like them in a few years. Even now, they don’t have it all together.
Upperclassmen, remember that you were freshmen not too long ago. The transition to college can be overwhelming, so remember to give freshmen grace and patience. When it takes a little longer to get places because freshmen are still getting used to Waco roads, or when your favorite place is incredibly busy because the new class just discovered it, remember what it felt like to adjust to that new environment and stage of life.
Ultimately, having true, genuine relationships with someone who is older or younger than you is so important and such a blessing. As a freshman, having a friend who has just gone through the hard things and transitions you might be navigating is beneficial and enriching. They have some perspective on the other side that you might not have. As an upperclassman, the chance to pour into others and love them well is such an enriching act of service and will also teach you a lot.
Christians are called to discipleship and mentorship, and in college, this is so beautifully modeled in relationships between older and younger students. We pour into others and do life with those who may be older or younger than us so that they may go on and do the same with others.
So upperclassmen, reach out to freshmen, pour into them and love them with all you have. Build genuine friendships and relationships. And freshmen, don’t be intimidated by upperclassmen. More often than not, they would love to get to know you and be your friend if you take the courage to try to get to know them.
