Is it normal to struggle during your first semester of college?
Mostly.Normal for most people
Yes—struggling during your first semester of college is common. Adjusting to new classes, routines, independence, and people can take time, and it doesn’t mean you don’t belong there.
College can be a big shift: you may have to manage your time and workload more independently while getting used to a new place and social scene. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed, behind, lonely, or unsure of yourself at first—even if other students look like they’ve got it all figured out.