Living with change

Introduction

Living with change as a student is not always easy because every new environment
comes with new expectations, people, and challenges. I personally understand this
because I have had to move between three different universities and change
locations multiple times during my academic journey. Each move meant starting
over, adjusting to unfamiliar surroundings, and learning completely different ways of
doing things. At first, it was exciting, but over time I realized how emotionally, and
mentally exhausting constant change can be.

One of the biggest struggles I experienced was trying to fit in and make new friends.
Entering a new university environment where people already had established
friendships often made me feel isolated and uncomfortable. I also had to adapt to
different teaching styles, academic systems, and social cultures at each institution.
Sometimes I questioned whether I truly belonged there, especially during moments
when I felt alone or overwhelmed. Balancing these emotional challenges while still
trying to perform academically created a great deal of stress.

However, these experiences also taught me important lessons about resilience,
adaptability, and personal growth. I learned that change is something every student
experiences in different ways, whether it involves moving institutions, adjusting to
university life, dealing with academic pressure, or navigating personal struggles.
Although change can be difficult, learning healthy ways to cope with stress and
maintain balance can make the transition easier.

The Reality of living with change
For many students, change is unavoidable. It can come in the form of moving away
from home, changing schools or universities, losing friendships, facing financial
struggles, or trying to balance academics with personal responsibilities. While these
experiences may look manageable from the outside, they can become emotionally
exhausting internally.

One of the biggest challenges faced by students is the pressure to adapt quickly.
Society often expects people to “fit in” and adjust immediately, but adapting to
change takes time. When I changed universities, I constantly felt like I was behind
everyone else socially and academically. People already had friendship groups,
knew campus routines, and understood the system, while I was still trying to figure
out where lecture venues were. It felt like everybody had received instructions that I
somehow missed.

Academically, adapting was just as stressful. Different lecturers expected different
standards, and every institution had its own way of teaching and assessing students.
I had to constantly adjust my study habits and learn new ways of doing things. At
times, it felt mentally draining trying to survive academically while also fighting
feelings of loneliness and uncertainty.

Learning to Live with Change

Over time, I realized that living with change is not about avoiding discomfort. It is
about learning how to continue moving forward even when life feels unfamiliar. One
of the most important lessons I learned was that it is okay not to have everything
figured out immediately.

I started focusing on small things that made me feel grounded. Creating routines
helped me feel more stable. Whether it was waking up early, planning my week,
listening to music while walking to class, or finding quiet places to study, these small
habits gave me a sense of control during uncertain times.

I also learned the importance of reaching out to people, even when it felt
uncomfortable. Making friends did not happen instantly, but small conversations
slowly became meaningful connections. Sometimes change makes people feel
isolated, but isolation often grows when people suffer in silence. Talking to others
helped me realize that many students were struggling too, even if they hid it well.

Another important lesson was learning to be patient with myself. Students often put
pressure on themselves to adjust perfectly, succeed academically, and maintain a
social life all at once. Change is messy, some days are productive, while others feel
overwhelming. Learning to accept imperfect progress made adapting easier
emotionally.

Finding Strength in Change
Although change can be painful, it also has a strange way of shaping people into
stronger versions of themselves. Looking back now, I realize that moving between
universities forced me to become more independent, adaptable, and emotionally
aware. It taught me how to survive uncomfortable situations, communicate with
different people, and rebuild myself repeatedly.

Most importantly, I learned that fitting in is not always the goal. Sometimes growth
happens when people stop trying so hard to belong everywhere and instead focus
on becoming comfortable with themselves. The loneliness I experienced taught me
self-awareness. The uncertainty taught me resilience. The constant adjustments
taught me flexibility. Change may not always feel good in the moment, but often it is
preparing people for parts of life they have not reached yet.

Conclusion
Living with change is one of the most challenging parts of being a student. It brings
uncertainty, stress, loneliness, and emotional pressure that many people do not
openly discuss. However, change also creates opportunities for growth, self-
discovery, and resilience. My journey through three universities and different
environments taught me that adapting is not about becoming fearless. It is about
continuing to move forward despite fear and discomfort.
Although change can sometimes make people feel lost, it can also help them
discover strengths they never knew they had. In the end, learning how to live with

change is not just about surviving new environments; it is about learning how to grow
through them.

By Farasani Dzhombere