For many teenagers, transitioning from a small high school to a world renowned research university can come as quite a shock. New friends, Greek life, building the foundation of a career can certainly be very overwhelming. Lydia Niles-Steger, a rising sophomore Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and Whitney M. Young alumni, knows exactly what it’s all like. Here’s what she had to say about her recent switch into college:

What were your first few months of college like?

“It was really exciting at first, it even felt like summer camp in a way. I soon realized, however, that a lot of the students were very different from what I was used to in Chicago. It quickly became tough to keep my feet from falling under me with so many projects, working at the school newspaper, and going out with friends. By about Thanksgiving I started to settle in. I found my friend group, I established great relationships with my professors, and I was having fun on the weekends.”

How did you keep up with classes and involvement around campus?

“I found other really motivated students to study with. It was also just satisfying to work hard for my professors and show off what I took away from class.”

Do you have any tips for this year’s incoming college freshmen class?

“Yes! Be open-minded and care about your grades.”

Coming back home from Syracuse, Lydia is already looking forward to next semester. She plans to major in Public Relations with a minor in Political Science.

College is a special time to, yes work hard, but also have fun and be yourself. It’s many students’ first time as independents, so learning the ways of the world and even more so about themselves can be challenging.