What I Wish I Knew Before My First Year

Kamora Johnson

McKay Student Ambassador

Physical Education

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Starting college is both exciting and scary! When I was a freshman, I had so many questions about BYU, my major, and what I should do with my life. The purpose of this blog is to answer some of the questions I had, just in case you have the same worries or concerns too.

#1: You do not need to have everything figured out right now.

Don’t worry if you don’t know your major yet or what you want your career to be. My plans changed during college as I experienced new things, learned about different programs and jobs, and met new people. I started out as an exercise science major, but I wasn’t loving it, so I decided to go to the Major Fair. That’s where I first heard about the Physical Education Teaching and Coaching major, and I decided to give it a try.

Growing up, I never would have thought about PE teaching as a major choice, but it has been one of the best decisions I’ve made. I’ve learned so much, met amazing people, and worked at an awesome job in the McKay School. God has a plan for us, so trust Him to help you find the right path.

#2: The McKay School really does prepare you to be a great teacher and you don’t have to be perfect to be a great teacher.

This semester, I started student teaching. Before I began, I was terrified to teach and felt like I hadn’t learned anything and was totally unprepared. On my very first day, I was pleasantly surprised to realize that I actually did know what to do.Student teaching helped me see how much I learned in my classes because I got to apply what I had learned in real-life teaching situations.

The McKay School teaches us to teach like the Master Teacher, Jesus Christ, by loving each child and treating them as a child of God. This is one of the most important lessons I’ve learned at BYU. Caring about our students and helping them do their best truly matters more than being a “perfect” teacher.

#3: College comes with a lot of reading and studying, but you can survive it!

I tried a lot of study hacks and tips, but I want to share my favorite one. Tip: Study for as long as you can without getting distracted, then take a break. That amount of time becomes your study interval.

For example, if you can focus for 30 minutes, study for 30 minutes, take a 5-minute break, and repeat until you’re done. If you can only focus for 10 minutes, do 10 minutes of studying and then take a 2-minute break. Studying doesn’t have to look the same for

everyone or the same everyday, find what works best for you.

#4: Loneliness is more common than we think.

If you feel like you don’t have any good friends at BYU, you’re definitely not alone. So many students feel the same way, especially during their first year. Try talking to someone new in your class or saying hi to someone you sit next to, chances are, they’re also looking for a friend.

Some of my closest friendships have come from my classes, roommates, and ward. Building friendships takes time, and that’s okay. Be patient with yourself, keep putting yourself out there, and remember that friendship often starts with one small conversation.

#5: SLEEP!

Sleep is so important. Getting enough sleep helps you focus better, learn more, and get sick less. College can make it tempting to stay up late studying or hanging out, but taking care of your sleep will help you feel better and do better in the long run.

#6: Take advantage of student jobs, research, and scholarships.

College can get expensive, but student jobs are so helpful. In the McKay School, many professors do research that you can participate in. If you’re interested in working with a professor as a research assistant or a TA, don’t be afraid to reach out and ask.

The McKay School also offers scholarships. Once you are accepted into your program, you can apply for them. This year, the application is due March 1st, so be sure to keep that on your radar.

#7: Save your lesson plans.

Keep a folder of lesson plans or activities you make that you really like. You might not think you’ll need them again, but they will come in handy later when you’re in practicum, student teaching, in your own classroom or applying to grad school.

College is a time of learning, growth, and figuring things out, and that includes making mistakes along the way. You don’t need to have everything planned or be perfect to succeed. Be patient with yourself, ask for help when you need it, and trust that things will fall into place. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure, just know that you’re not alone and you’re doing better than you think.

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If you have any questions about a major in the McKay School do not hesitate to meet with a student ambassador! Click here to schedule an appointment.