We're excited to feature Student Voices, our blog series that brings unique student perspectives to our blog. From academic challenges to tech-driven success stories, hear directly from students about the tools, strategies, and experiences shaping their education. Stay tuned for inspiring insights!
I Had Never Been in a Classroom Before College
Before college, I had never even stepped inside a classroom. My name is Natalia Aparicio, and I am a 19-year-old Mexican-American student currently pursuing nursing at Laredo College. I was homeschooled my whole life and completed everything from elementary school to high school online, so attending college in person felt intimidating and overwhelming.
If someone had asked me before college whether I ever planned to attend classes in person, I would have said absolutely not. I did not feel ready, and I felt like I was not prepared enough to start college. Before my first semester began, I was so scared and overwhelmed that I almost quit before it even started. The thought of attending college in person felt intimidating and uncomfortable, but my experience has taught me that we cannot always stay inside our comfort zone if we want to grow.
Growing Up Homeschooled
I am grateful that my parents decided to raise me the way they did. Being homeschooled shaped who I am in many ways. My parents taught me how to work hard, be independent, and take responsibility for my education. From a young age, I learned how to teach myself and stay disciplined with online learning, but my parents were always there whenever I needed help or reminders about assignments. Even though I missed out on some experiences, I do not feel that homeschooling prevented me from learning to socialize since I grew up in a big family.
Finding My Voice in English
As a Mexican-American student, I also had to overcome a language barrier, which made my fears about college even stronger. English is not my first language, and at home, we only speak Spanish. Even though I started learning English around age 12, I rarely had to use it in everyday situations. Because of that, speaking English confidently in class and around other students was difficult at first. I felt embarrassed about my accent and scared that I would say something incorrectly or that people would not understand me. Since I did not grow up speaking English the way many other students did, I constantly doubted myself before my first college class even began.
Wondering if I Belonged
About a month before my first semester started, I became so scared that I almost quit before it even began. I felt anxious and overwhelmed by my schedule, and I worried that I was not good enough for college. Compared to other students, I felt unprepared and unsure of myself. I constantly worried that I did not belong there and that I was not ready for such a big step. It was ironic because my school's slogan is "You Belong Here," but at the time, I honestly did not believe it applied to me. I also doubted whether I would ever reach my goals because college takes a lot of time, effort, and dedication.
Fortunately, I was not completely alone during this experience because my sister was starting college at the same time as me. Knowing that she was also dealing with the same fears and insecurities gave me the courage to keep going. Having someone who understood exactly how I felt was really important to me, especially when I felt overwhelmed or unsure of myself. Since we were going through everything together, we were always there to help and encourage each other whenever one of us struggled.
Adjusting to the Classroom
My first semester was difficult. Even if the classes themselves were not very hard, being inside a classroom for the first time felt strange and overwhelming. I had to adjust to lectures, new types of assignments, and participating in class discussions.
Participating was the hardest part for me because I felt so self-conscious about my English that I would rather stay quiet, even when I knew the answer. I remember there were times when I was nervous to ask questions because I was afraid I might pronounce something wrong. My professors were patient and encouraging, which helped me feel more comfortable speaking up. Over time, I became more comfortable speaking up in class and making new friends. I realized that many students felt nervous, even the ones who came straight from high school, which gave me more confidence. I slowly stopped overthinking my accent and started asking questions or participating in class when I needed help. Little by little, I became more confident.
Learning Confidence Through Experience
Eventually, my sister and I decided to take different paths in college, but this time I was not as scared as before. By then, I had already gained more confidence in myself and realized that I was capable of doing things on my own. I also realized that many students start college on their own and still succeed. Thinking about that helped me feel more confident and independent moving forward.
Now I realize that not feeling ready is completely normal, and that fear is part of trying something new. Being scared does not mean you are underprepared, and I think many students experience this but do not always talk about it. My college experience has not been perfect, and I chose a difficult path, but it has taught me things I would never have learned if I had not tried. I have learned how to step outside of my comfort zone, become more confident in myself, and keep going even when I feel afraid. Looking back now, I am proud that I did not quit and proud of how far I have come.
Why Support Matters for Students
I think colleges should understand that not every student starts at the same place. Some students come from traditional schools, while others, like me, come from homeschooling or different backgrounds that can make the transition to college feel more difficult. For multilingual students, speaking up in class can feel intimidating due to fear of making mistakes or being judged for an accent.
Something as simple as a welcoming classroom environment, patient professors, or encouragement from advisors can make a huge difference in helping students feel comfortable and supported. I still remember how much better I felt whenever a professor responded kindly to my questions or when advisors took the time to explain things rather than making me feel embarrassed for not knowing. Sometimes students who seem quiet or unsure are not unmotivated. They are just trying to adjust and find confidence in themselves. Creating an environment where we feel understood and included can help us succeed both academically and personally.
My experience taught me that students do not need to feel completely ready to succeed. Fear and uncertainty are a normal part of starting something new. What made the biggest difference for me was having support, patience, and encouragement from the people around me. That support helped me build confidence in myself and believe that I belonged there, too.
