YourVoice: What Sinclair students wish they had known before starting college

College is one of the most uniquely transformative experiences a person can have, but depending on who you ask, it can be either the best or the most challenging time of their life.

For many students, especially in the beginning, finding their footing can feel overwhelming. But a bit of perspective from those who have already navigated that transition can make all the difference.

Three students from Sinclair College reflect on their journeys, sharing what they wish they had known and offering honest advice to help newcomers feel more confident and prepared.

Maryjen Abraham

For Maryjen Abraham, her time in college began concurrently with her high school education. She has been juggling high school obligations and college-level coursework as part of Sinclair’s College Credit Plus program, which has required her to swiftly adapt to an entirely new academic pace.

That shift was not simple at first. Because she was juggling both high school and college, she had to be more disciplined than she had anticipated to stay on top of her assignments. This made it easy for her to fall behind without realizing the potential consequences.

“One thing I wish I had known before starting college is how important it is to avoid procrastination,” said Abraham. “It’s easy to fall behind, and it’s much harder to recover your grade in a college class than in high school.”

But as time went on, her viewpoint started to change. She began to understand how crucial it is to remain aware of the support systems available to students, especially in the early stages, rather than attempting to manage everything on her own.

“I regret not learning about Sinclair’s TRIO groups sooner,” she said.

Programs like TRIO offer students guidance, resources and a sense of support both inside and outside the classroom. This can have a significant impact on students’ academic and psychological growth.

Her experience highlights the importance of developing solid habits at a young age while remaining receptive to assistance. She was able to learn these lessons earlier than others as she enrolled in college while still in high school, and they still influence how she approaches her classes today.

Kaydin Casteel

Kaydin Casteel’s path to college has not been an easy one. She initially began at Miami University straight from high school. However, after only one semester, she quickly realized it was not the right environment for her. Now in her second year at Sinclair College as a third-year college student, she has learned from her mistakes and is currently studying health sciences with the intention of entering a nursing program.

Adjusting to a new campus environment has had its own learning curve. Some of her challenges have been simple things like eating a meal. Even having lunch is not as simple as it sounds when one has no idea what resources are available.

“This may be a little surprising, but I wish I would have known that Sinclair had a cafeteria sooner,” said Casteel. “I would pack my lunch for a full day of classes, and with my lunch box sitting in my car sometimes the food would not always taste the best or I’d choose to just go hungry.”

As she became more familiar with Sinclair, her focus shifted toward being more intentional with her academic decisions. Early on, Casteel realized that choosing classes without considering teaching styles made learning more difficult than it needed to be.

“First semester, I wish I wouldn’t have just chosen random classes with random professors. I wish I would have been more clear as to what I was seeking out of a professor or class,” she said.

This is especially true for her after struggling in Anatomy and Physiology, as she realized that the teaching style wasn’t conducive to how she learns. By retaking the course under a different teacher, she had a completely new experience and learned to appreciate the importance of being her own advocate. In reflecting on her experience, she recognized that it is vital to be mindful from the very start, whether it’s finding the right setting, asking questions or being aware of how one learns best.

Overall, her transfer to Sinclair College provided her with a second chance, and ever since, she’s been able to have a more defined experience as a college student with confidence, productivity and finding purpose in the academic as well as personal life experiences.

Ankita Ghising

‘’I am blessed to be an international student,’’ Ankita Ghising said.

Starting at Sinclair after transferring from Wright State University was not just about going to class but also about adapting to a new system, welcoming challenges in her academic and personal life. From intimidating credit transfer protocols to a language barrier that didn’t let her communicate fluently with friends and professors, everything felt different at first.

For her, one of the hardest phases at the earliest point was understanding how to look for opportunities outside of class. The things that she expected to be easy, like creating resumes and finding on-campus jobs, became very challenging as she was unaware of the amenities available.

“Looking back, a resource I wish I had known about earlier at Sinclair is the Career Services office. As an international student, it can be really challenging to understand U.S. resume standards, prepare for interviews and figure out where to find job opportunities,” Ghising said.

Meanwhile, skipping classes and not using tutoring made things harder than they needed to be, especially while still trying to adjust to everything around her.

“Something I wish I had taken more seriously during my first semester is tutoring,” she said. “I knew it was available, but I didn’t make time for it, and because of that I struggled and didn’t do well in one of my classes.”

After some time, she started to find a rhythm. Going to class regularly, staying on top of assignments and getting more involved helped things feel less overwhelming. It didn’t change overnight, but small changes made a big difference.

The experiences of these three Sinclair students show that while college can feel uncertain and overwhelming at first, growth often comes from learning through those early challenges. Whether it’s managing time effectively, seeking out campus resources or understanding personal learning styles, each student’s journey highlights the importance of being proactive and open to change.

For those just beginning their college journey, this advice offers reassurance that success is not about perfection, but about persistence, awareness and the willingness to learn along the way.

Monsoon Koirala, reporter

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