It had been a year since Seungmin and Jihoon had walked the halls of their high school for the last time. Now, a new chapter was beginning. College day. Seungmin was diving into the world of business, while Jihoon was embarking on a journey through the intricate landscape of IT for computers.
For Seungmin, his first class was "Introduction to Microeconomics." He found his way to a large lecture hall, the seats already filling up with a mix of anxious and excited faces. He settled into a seat near the front, pulling out a fresh notebook and pen. The professor, a stern-looking woman with a surprisingly warm smile, began to speak, her voice echoing slightly in the vast space.
Seungmin tried to focus, taking notes on supply and demand curves, market equilibrium, and the basic principles of scarcity. But his mind occasionally wandered. He felt a sense of nervous anticipation, a mix of excitement for the future, and a slight trepidation about the unknown. High school felt like a familiar, comfortable bubble. College, with its sprawling campus and multitude of new faces, felt vast and a little overwhelming. He felt a pressure to succeed, to justify his choice of major, to prove he was ready for this next step. Yet, there was also a thrill, a sense of possibility. This was his chance to learn, to grow, to build something for himself.
Meanwhile, across campus, Jihoon was in a smaller, more specialized classroom for "Fundamentals of Programming.""" The room was filled with the quiet hum of computers and the soft clicking of keyboards. Jihoon found a seat at a workstation, the screen glowing with lines of code. His professor, a young man with a passion for all things tech, started with the basics, explaining variables, data types, and simple algorithms.
Jihoon felt a different kind of energy. While Seungmin felt a broad sense of possibility, Jihoon felt a focused excitement. This was what he loved. He felt a surge of satisfaction as he typed his first few lines of code, seeing the program execute as intended. The technical jargon, the logical puzzles, the potential to create something from nothing – it all resonated deeply with him. He felt less overwhelmed by the sheer size of the college and more captivated by the depth of the subject matter. This felt like home, a place where his curiosity and problem-solving skills could truly flourish. He felt a sense of belonging among others who shared his fascination with technology.
As their first classes ended, both Seungmin and Jihoon stepped out of the lecture halls and classrooms, a mix of new information swirling in their minds. Seungmin felt a sense of accomplishment for getting through the first hurdle, but also a realization of how much there was to learn. Jihoon felt a quiet confidence, eager to tackle the next programming challenge.
Their feelings about college, even after just one class, were already taking shape. For Seungmin, it was a challenging but potentially rewarding journey into a vast new world. For Jihoon, it was a focused and exciting dive into a subject he was passionate about. The path ahead was different for each of them, but the first steps had been taken.
After their first classes, the campus seemed to swell with the movement of students. Seungmin, armed with his class schedule and a map he barely understood, navigated the bustling walkways. His next class was "Introduction to Business Law," located in a different building entirely. As he walked, he observed the diverse crowd – students laughing with friends, others buried in textbooks, and some, like him, looking a little lost. The sheer scale of the campus was still sinking in; it felt like a small city.
He found the building for his law class, a more modern structure with large glass windows. The classroom was smaller than the lecture hall, allowing for more interaction. The professor, a lively and engaging woman, made the complex topic of legal principles surprisingly interesting, using real-world examples and encouraging questions. Seungmin found himself taking diligent notes, the initial feeling of being overwhelmed starting to recede slightly as he engaged with the material. He realized that while the environment was new and large, the core of learning still felt familiar – listening, processing, and understanding.
Meanwhile, Jihoon's second class was a lab session for "Fundamentals of Programming.""" He made his way to a dedicated computer lab, the air filled with a soft whirring sound. The lab assistant guided them through setting up their development environments and working on their first basic coding exercises. Jihoon felt a sense of focused calm here. The logical structure of the exercises, the immediate feedback from the compiler, and the quiet concentration of the other students created a productive atmosphere. He found himself easily grasping the concepts and even helping a student next to him who was struggling with a syntax error. This hands-on experience solidified his feeling that he was in the right place.
As the afternoon wore on, Seungmin had one more class, "Principles of Marketing," which introduced him to the concepts of branding, consumer behaviour, and market research. It was another large lecture, but the subject matter felt more immediately applicable and relatable than economics or law. He found himself thinking about the marketing strategies of companies he was familiar with, seeing the principles in action.
Jihoon's final class was "Discrete Mathematics," a foundational course for computer science that dealt with logic, sets, and proofs. This class was more abstract and challenging than his programming courses, requiring a different kind of thinking. He found himself having to concentrate harder, grappling with new notations and complex problems. It was a good reminder that college wouldn't always be easy, but the intellectual challenge was also part of the appeal.
By the time their last classes finished, the afternoon sun was starting to cast long shadows across the campus. Both Seungmin and Jihoon felt a sense of accomplishment, a mix of mental exhaustion and newfound knowledge.
Seungmin walked out of his marketing class, taking a deep breath of the late afternoon air. He felt a sense of cautious optimism. The day had been a whirlwind of new information and environments, but he hadn't gotten completely lost, and the material, while challenging, felt manageable. He was starting to see the interconnectedness of the business subjects, how economics, law, and marketing all played a role in the world of commerce. He still felt a bit like a small fish in a big pond, but the water was starting to feel a little less intimidating.
Jihoon left his discrete math class with a slight furrow in his brow, still mulling over a particularly tricky proof. But beneath the mental effort, there was a deep sense of satisfaction. He had spent the day immersed in the world of technology and logic, and it felt right. He was excited about the challenges ahead, the problems to solve, and the things he would be able to create. College, for him, felt like a vast playground of intellectual puzzles waiting to be solved.
Neither of them had run into each other on campus, which wasn't surprising given the size and their different schedules. But as they both headed towards their respective dorms or off-campus housing, a sense of shared experience, even if lived separately, lingered. They had both taken their first steps into this new world, and the journey had just begun.
As the evening settled in, casting a warm glow over the campus, Seungmin found himself back in his dorm room. It was a simple space, shared with a roommate he hadn't really had a chance to talk to yet. He unpacked his bag, the weight of the day settling in his shoulders. He pulled out his phone, scrolling through notifications, a slight feeling of isolation creeping in. High school had been about familiar faces and easy hangouts. College felt different, more spread out, requiring a more deliberate effort to connect.
He decided to text Jihoon.
Seungmin: Hey, survived day 1. How was yours?
A few minutes later, a reply came back.
Jihoon: Hey! Yeah, same. It's pretty intense but good. The programming lab was cool. Discrete math made my brain hurt a little, lol.
Seungmin smiled. That sounded like Jihoon.
Seungmin: Haha, sounds about right. Business law was… legal. Economics was a lot of graphs. Marketing was actually pretty interesting, though.
Jihoon: Nice. So, feeling overwhelmed or excited?
Seungmin paused before typing. It was a good question.
Seungmin: Both, honestly. It's huge here. And so much to learn. But also… it feels like a fresh start. It's a little scary but exciting, too.
Jihoon: Yeah, I get that. It feels big, but I kinda like being surrounded by people who are into the same stuff. Makes the IT classes feel more… collaborative, I guess?
Seungmin: That's cool. Business feels a bit more competitive, maybe? It's hard to tell after just one day.
Jihoon: Probably. So, anyway, are you free to grab some dinner or something? I'm starving.
Seungmin's face brightened. That was exactly what he needed.
Seungmin: Definitely! Where do you want to meet?
They quickly arranged to meet at the main dining hall, a sprawling building with various food stations. Seungmin left his dorm, the familiar nerves of the day replaced by a sense of anticipation at seeing a friendly face.
He found Jihoon already waiting near the entrance, looking a little more relaxed than he had during the day. Jihoon was scrolling on his phone, a small smile on his face.
"Hey," Seungmin said, walking up to him.
"Hey! I'm glad you made it," Jihoon replied, putting his phone away. "Ready to brave the cafeteria chaos?"
They navigated the bustling hall, the air filled with the clatter of trays and the murmur of conversations. They grabbed trays and wandered through the various options, talking about their respective classes and first impressions.
"So, business law, huh?" Jihoon said, picking up a piece of grilled chicken. "Sounds... dry."
Seungmin chuckled. "It could be, but the professor was actually pretty engaging. She made jokes about contracts. Who knew?"
"See, that's the thing," Jihoon said, piling some rice onto his plate. "It's not just the subject. It's the people teaching it, right?"
"Exactly," Seungmin agreed, choosing some stir-fry. "My economics professor was really knowledgeable, but it was a straight lecture. Marketing was better because the professor was more interactive."
They found a relatively quiet table and sat down, the noise of the dining hall a low hum around them.
"So, you actually liked discrete math?" Seungmin asked, raising an eyebrow.
Jihoon grinned. "Liked it is a strong word. It was challenging. But it's like a puzzle, you know? I'm trying to figure out how to prove something logically. It's a good brain workout."
"My brain got enough of a workout today just trying to find my classes," Seungmin admitted with a laugh. "This campus is huge."
"Yeah, it takes some getting used to," Jihoon said, taking a bite of his chicken. "I almost ended up in the wrong building for my lab."
They talked about the differences between their majors, the types of students they'd seen, and their initial thoughts on campus life. Seungmin shared his feeling of being a bit overwhelmed by the scale and the newness of it all.
"I think it'll get better once we settle in," Jihoon said reassuringly. "Once you find your rhythm, you know? Find some people you click with in your classes."
"Yeah, hopefully," Seungmin said. "It's just... different. No more seeing the same faces every day."
"True," Jihoon agreed. "But also, a chance to meet new people. Maybe some interesting ones."
They ate in comfortable silence for a few moments, the shared experience of their first day creating a bond between them. It was a relief to talk to someone who understood the mix of excitement and apprehension they were feeling.
"So, what's on the agenda after this?" Seungmin asked, finishing his meal.
"Probably just head back to the dorm. Maybe try to figure out where my next classes are for tomorrow," Jihoon said. "Unless you want to wander around campus and get more lost?"
Seungmin laughed. "I think I've had enough wandering for one day. But hey, good to see you. Made the day feel a lot less... solo."
"Yeah, definitely," Jihoon said. "Let's try to do this more often. Keep each other sane."
As they left the dining hall, the campus was even more alive with students socializing, studying, and heading to evening activities. The initial daunting feeling of the morning had softened, replaced by a sense of shared experience and the comfort of a familiar friendship in this new, vast world. Their first day of college was over, a mix of challenges and discoveries, but ending with a simple, grounding connection.
After their dinner and chat at the dining hall, Seungmin and Jihoon parted ways, each heading towards their respective dorm buildings. The evening air was cooler now, and the campus lights cast long, inviting shadows.
Seungmin's dorm building was a large, imposing structure. He swiped his student ID to get in, the door buzzing open with a click. The hallway inside was long and lined with doors, a low murmur of voices emanating from behind them. He found his room number and took a deep breath before pushing the door open.
His roommate was already there. He was a tall, lanky guy with messy brown hair and headphones around his neck. He was sitting at his desk, surrounded by unpacked boxes and a scattering of books. He looked up as Seungmin entered, a slightly hesitant smile on his face.
"Hey," the roommate said, his voice a little quiet. "You must be Seungmin. I'm Minjun."
"Yeah, that's me," Seungmin replied, offering a friendly smile back. "Nice to meet you, Minjun."
Minjun gestured around the room. "Sorry about the mess. I'm still trying to figure out where everything goes."
"No worries," Seungmin said, setting his bag down on his own bed. "Just got back from dinner. The first day was... a lot."
"Tell me about it," Minjun said, running a hand through his hair. "My brain feels fried. I'm studying engineering, and the intro physics lecture was... intense."
"Business here," Seungmin said. "Economics and law. It's definitely a learning curve."
They fell into a slightly awkward conversation, the initial politeness of strangers sharing a small space. They talked about their hometowns, their majors, and their first impressions of the college. Minjun seemed a little shy but friendly enough. He was clearly passionate about engineering, talking about the challenges and excitement of building things. Seungmin shared his thoughts on the business classes, the mix of broad concepts and specific details.
As they talked, they started to unpack more of their belongings, slowly making the sterile dorm room feel a little more like their own. Posters were unrolled, books were placed on shelves, and personal items started to fill the space. The initial awkwardness began to dissipate as they found common ground in the shared experience of starting college and the exhaustion of the first day. They discovered they both liked similar music and had a shared appreciation for a particular online game.
Meanwhile, across campus, Jihoon arrived at his dorm, a slightly older but still well-maintained building. His room was on the second floor. He opened the door and found his roommate already settled in. This roommate was a whirlwind of activity, a cheerful guy with bright eyes and a contagious energy. He was in the process of decorating his side of the room with posters and fairy lights.
"Hey! You must be Jihoon!" the roommate exclaimed, turning with a wide smile. "I'm Donghyun! Welcome to our humble abode!"
Jihoon couldn't help but smile at Donghyun's enthusiasm. "Hey, Donghyun. Nice to meet you. Yeah, I'm Jihoon."
Donghyun bounded over, extending a hand. "So, first day done! How was the IT world treating you?"
"It was good," Jihoon said, shaking his hand. "Programming lab was fun. Discrete math was a bit of a challenge, though."
"Oh, you're in IT too?" Donghyun asked, his eyes widening. "Awesome! I'm doing computer science. Maybe we'll have some classes together later on!"
"That would be cool," Jihoon said, feeling a sense of instant ease with Donghyun's outgoing personality.
Donghyun was a talker, filling the room with stories about his day, the people he'd met, and his excitement about college life. He was studying computer science because he loved solving problems and building software. He was also incredibly social, already talking about joining clubs and attending campus events.
Jihoon, who was generally more reserved, found himself opening up to Donghyun's infectious energy. He talked about his passion for programming and his fascination with how technology worked. Donghyun listened intently, interjecting with questions and sharing his own experiences.
As they unpacked, the room quickly took on a vibrant and slightly chaotic atmosphere on Donghyun's side, while Jihoon's side remained more organized and minimalist. Despite their different styles, there was an immediate sense of compatibility. Donghyun's outgoing nature balanced Jihoon's quieter demeanour, and their shared interest in computer science provided a strong foundation for conversation.
By the time both Seungmin and Jihoon had finished unpacking and settling in, the evening had deepened. Seungmin and Minjun were engaged in a quiet conversation about their favourite video games, a comfortable silence punctuated by the occasional chuckle. Jihoon and Donghyun were deep in a lively discussion about the best programming languages for beginners, their voices animated with shared enthusiasm.
Their first day of college, filled with new classes and experiences, had ended with the introduction of new roommates. For Seungmin, it was a tentative beginning with a quiet but friendly presence. For Jihoon, it was an immediate connection with a vibrant and like-minded individual. Both experiences, though different, marked another significant step in navigating the social landscape of college life. The dorm rooms, once just empty spaces, were now starting to feel like homes, filled with the beginnings of new friendships and the promise of shared experiences.
The first few weeks of college were a blur of classes, lectures, and navigating the sprawling campus. Seungmin and Jihoon settled into a routine, the initial overwhelming feeling gradually giving way to a sense of normalcy. They still met up occasionally for meals or just to chat, share their experiences, and offer each other a familiar anchor in this new world.
Beyond their classes, both Seungmin and Jihoon started to explore the extracurricular side of college life. The campus was a hive of activity, with clubs and organizations catering to every interest imaginable.
Seungmin, with his business major, decided to check out the Business Student Association. He attended their first general meeting, held in a large conference room. The air was filled with a mix of ambition and networking. Students were introducing themselves, exchanging contact information, and talking about internships and career goals. Seungmin felt a slight sense of pressure to make connections and put himself out there. He met a few people, exchanging polite conversation, but he didn't immediately feel a strong connection. The club seemed very focused on professional development, which was important, but he was also looking for a sense of community.
He also decided to try out the photography club, a long-held hobby he'd enjoyed in high school. This club was a different atmosphere entirely. It was smaller, more relaxed, and filled with people who shared a genuine passion for capturing moments. He attended a photo walk around campus, the crisp autumn air invigorating. He found himself easily talking to other members about camera settings and composition, feeling a sense of shared creativity and camaraderie. This club felt less like a resume builder and more like a place to decompress and connect with others on a creative level.
Jihoon, naturally, gravitated towards the tech-related clubs. He joined the Computer Science Club, which held coding workshops, guest speaker events, and even organized hackathons. He felt right at home among the other students, easily engaging in conversations about programming languages, algorithms, and the latest tech trends. He attended a workshop on web development and found himself completely absorbed, the hours flying by as he learned new skills. This club felt like an extension of his classes, a place to deepen his knowledge and connect with others who shared his intense interest.
He also, somewhat surprisingly, joined the board game club with Donghyun. Donghyun's infectious enthusiasm for all things social had convinced him. While not directly related to IT, Jihoon found he enjoyed the strategic thinking and problem-solving involved in board games, and he genuinely enjoyed Donghyun's company and the relaxed, fun atmosphere of the club. It was a good balance to the intense focus of his IT studies.
As they settled into their club activities, the academic challenges began to ramp up. The initial introductory courses started to delve deeper, and the workload increased.
For Seungmin, the first major challenge came in his microeconomics class. The concepts were becoming more complex, involving intricate calculations and theoretical models. He struggled with a particular assignment that required him to analyze market behaviour under different scenarios. He spent hours poring over his textbook and notes, feeling a growing frustration when the numbers didn't align and his understanding felt shaky. It was the first time he truly felt challenged academically in college, and it was a humbling experience. He realized he couldn't just coast on his high school understanding; he needed to put in significant effort to truly grasp the material.
Jihoon faced his own challenge in discrete mathematics. The proofs and logical arguments were becoming increasingly abstract and difficult to follow. He found himself staring at problems for long periods, feeling stuck and unsure of how to even begin. The elegance of the logic that his professor spoke of sometimes felt frustratingly out of reach. He spent late nights in the computer lab, not coding, but wrestling with mathematical concepts that felt far removed from the practical application of programming. It was a different kind of challenge than he was used to, requiring a more theoretical and rigorous approach.
They talked about these challenges when they met up.
"Ugh, economics is killing me," Seungmin groaned one evening, slumping onto a bench near the library. "This market equilibrium stuff is way more complicated than I thought."
"Yeah, discrete math is kicking my butt too," Jihoon admitted, sitting down beside him. "It's like my brain is wired for code, not abstract proofs."
"At least you have your programming classes," Seungmin said. "I feel like I'm just swimming in theories right now. At least the photography club is a good escape."
"Yeah, the tech club is great," Jihoon said. "But sometimes it feels like I'm just reinforcing what I already know, while discrete math is forcing me to think in a completely different way. It's frustrating, but I guess that's part of learning, right?"
"I hope so," Seungmin sighed. "It feels like there's so much pressure to get everything right from the start."
"We're just getting started," Jihoon said, offering a small smile. "It's okay to struggle a little. It means we're actually learning something."
Their first few weeks of college had been a mix of exploring new interests through clubs and facing the reality of academic rigour. They were finding their places outside of the classroom, connecting with like-minded individuals and pursuing their hobbies. But within the classroom, they were encountering the first significant hurdles, realizing that college would demand more than just showing up; it would require dedication, perseverance, and a willingness to grapple with challenging material The journey was just beginning, and they were already learning valuable lessons about themselves and the demands of higher education.
The frustration with economics and discrete mathematics lingered for both Seungmin and Jihoon. They had faced challenges in high school, of course, but these felt different – more complex, more demanding of a deeper understanding. However, the conversations they had, both with each other and within their respective clubs, began to offer potential solutions.
For Seungmin, the turning point in economics came partly from his photography club. While discussing composition with another member, the concept of finding the "balance" in a photograph sparked an idea. He realized that market equilibrium, while abstract, was also about finding a balance – between supply and demand between buyers and sellers. He started to visualize the graphs not just as lines on a page but as representations of forces interacting, trying to find that point of stability.
He also decided to swallow his pride and seek help. He went to his economics professor's office hours, a little nervous. The professor, the same stern-looking woman with the warm smile, was patient and explained the concepts in a different way, using more real-world analogies. She encouraged him to work through practice problems step-by-step, emphasizing the logic behind each calculation. Seungmin also started forming a small study group with a couple of other students from his class who were also struggling. Working through problems together, explaining concepts to each other, and identifying where their understanding diverged proved incredibly helpful. Slowly but surely, the fog around the market equilibrium graphs began to lift.
Jihoon's breakthrough in discrete mathematics came partly through the Computer Science Club. He attended a session on algorithmic thinking, and the speaker emphasized the importance of breaking down complex problems into smaller, more manageable steps. He realized that the abstract proofs in discrete math could be approached in a similar way – by breaking them down into smaller, logical arguments and building them up piece by piece.
He also started spending more time with Donghyun, his roommate. While Donghyun wasn't in his discrete math class, he had taken similar foundational courses and had a knack for explaining complex ideas in simpler terms. They would spend evenings working on programming projects, and Jihoon would sometimes ask Donghyun to look over his discrete math problems. Donghyun, with his different perspective, could often spot a logical leap or suggest a different approach. Jihoon also started attending the optional review sessions for the class, where the teaching assistant would go over challenging problems and answer questions. He realized he wasn't the only one struggling, and hearing other students' questions and the TA's explanations helped clarify his own confusion.
Both Seungmin and Jihoon started to change their study habits. Seungmin began actively engaging with the material before class, doing the assigned readings, and trying to anticipate the concepts. He also started reviewing his notes regularly, rather than just cramming before exams. Jihoon started dedicating specific time slots each week solely to discrete math, focusing on understanding the underlying principles rather than just memorizing formulas. He also found that explaining the concepts to Donghyun, even if Donghyun didn't fully understand everything, helped solidify his own understanding.
The first set of quizzes and assignments after they started implementing these changes showed a noticeable improvement. Seungmin's economics assignment, which had initially been a source of frustration, now made more sense, and he was able to complete it with more confidence. Jihoon's discrete math quiz, while still challenging, felt less daunting, and he was able to solve problems that had previously seemed impossible.
The academic challenges hadn't disappeared entirely, and there were still difficult concepts to grasp and demand assignments ahead. But Seungmin and Jihoon had learned valuable lessons about seeking help, collaborating with others, and adjusting their approach to learning. They discovered that overcoming academic hurdles wasn't just about being smart; it was also about being resourceful, persistent, and willing to adapt. The initial feeling of being overwhelmed had been replaced by a sense of quiet determination. They knew that college would continue to present challenges, but they were starting to build the skills and the support systems they needed to face them.