It’s normal to feel like a small fish in the ocean that is the University of Pittsburgh. For many of us, this is the first experience going to school outside our hometown, and we just don’t know what to expect. We take comfort in blending in, going with the flow and taking things as is, because change is scary. We move in groups with our newly found friends, gaining confidence to meet even more new people — a common sight during orientation week. We fear missing out on experiences so we take on every opportunity available even if we don’t enjoy it. 

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with following the crowd. Everyone should take their time to settle into the college lifestyle even if it means staying within their comfort zones for a few weeks. Following this, it’s crucial to acknowledge the beauty and opportunities that college life offers. There’s independence in decision making, action and thought. There is freedom in pursuing hobbies, relationships and ideologies. There’s space for personal growth and a platform to make change. These may sound like lofty ideals that belong on the front page of college admission posters, but I have a personal method that many may find helpful.

Ask the right questions at the right time to the right people. College campuses are saturated with experts and professionals. There is always someone who is passionate and knowledgeable about a field that you may be interested in learning more about. It’s nerve-wracking to craft the perfect cold email to a professor or faculty member, and probably even harder to approach them in person after classes. It’s important to recognize that these experts have dedicated years of their lives to their specialty and would most likely be enthusiastic to share about their passions with you. Even if they don’t know the answer to your question, or if you don’t know what question to ask them, they would know where to direct you to find out more. Breaking out of your comfort zone is a huge barrier to overcome in college which I personally found to be a turning point in my college experience. 

Question the status quo even if it seems to be working. College systems are never perfect, and with the sheer size of Pitt’s ecosystem, there are many places where students may fall through the cracks. A one-size-fits-all approach rarely works for the diverse population of students that attend Pitt, so it is essential to voice your concerns. This can apply to housing assignments, meal plans, class scheduling, disability services and even financial aid.

In college, it’s important to stand up for what you need and believe in. This can be as simple as having a conversation with someone in a position of authority. I used to fear that if I asked for special permission or provisions, I’d be told the age old fallacy “If I do this for you, I’ll have to do it for everyone.” I’ve since learnt why this doesn’t have to be the case. Not everyone has the same circumstances and requests as you do because we are all inherently born in an unequal society. To make college a more equitable and inclusive space, your concerns ought to be heard and a solution can always be found. 

Question your own decisions — don’t let yourself function on autopilot. We are filled with options in college. The average adult makes 35,000 active decisions every day — I posit we make many more as college students given the rise in responsibilities we have. It’s important to make all those decisions with some thought behind them, as opposed to going with the flow. Our decisions include who we interact with, what we choose to eat, how much we choose to sleep, how attentive we want to be in class, how far ahead we want to plan our future and the list goes on for ages. Questioning these decisions and having a mental conversation with yourself goes a long way in making sense of what we want and what we need to do to attain it. 

I practice this form of introspection regularly to take account of how my week is going and to identify my needs and wants that I can fulfill later on. It’s much more effective than copying a friend’s college plan, simply because there is much more independence in those decisions. When every decision of your day is tailored to benefit you, your mind clears up to face the other challenges of college and growing up. 

It’s also crucial to remember that asking questions isn’t just about gaining knowledge or challenging systems — it’s also about seeking support when you need it. College is often an incredibly stressful and challenging time, and it’s important to recognize when you need help — whether that’s academic support, mental health resources, or just a listening ear. It is incredibly difficult to admit that you’re struggling and to ask for help, but it’s one of the most important questions you can ask. Remember, seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Your college community is there to support you, and it’s okay to lean on them when you need to.

There’s so much to learn in college. I find that the best way to learn it all is to first figure out how to ask questions. Often, a question that doesn’t yield an answer will lead you down a path of discovery, where you may encounter more questions and different answers than you might have been seeking. Asking is the first and most crucial step in everything college related. It builds a resilience of not taking no for an answer and finding alternative solutions to every problem thrown at you. 

I believe that just because someone says they can’t do anything about a situation, it doesn’t mean nothing can be done. This has gotten me through half of my undergraduate experience, and as I hone this skill, I’m sure it’ll get me through the many more years of education I have ahead of me. 

Harsh Hiwase writes about ethics and healthcare. Write to him at [email protected].