We all came to college young, naïve, and ready to engage in the best four years of our lives. We entered our home for the next four years with optimism and hope in hearts. We’ve seen all the shows about college and heard all of our parents and family member’s stories and are ready to start making our own memories. First year students are so full of life and joy that I almost feel bad to know that by their senior year they attitude about college will do a complete 180. As I prepare to embark on this final chapter of my undergrad career I can’t help but to realize how much I’ve changed from freshman to senior year.
Packing
Freshman
This is your first time away you never know what you might need so you pack everything even your Halloween costumes from the past 5 years because you never know when you might need them.
Senior
You didn't even unpack when you returned home. You found it too pointless and tedious.
Parents Dropping You Off
Freshman
Your parents just can't believe their baby is grown up so they stay and help you unpack through their emotional state.
Senior
By the time you unloaded your last suitcase from the car your parents are already saying their goodbyes.
First Week of Class
Freshman
You are ready to go your backpack fully equipped with school supplies and snacks.
Senior Year
You haven't even checked your schedule for class and have decided to just wing it. Everything will be find as long as you show up.
Class Participation
Freshman
You've heard that in college you need to make a good impression on your professors and class participation is an integral part of your grade so you raise your hand every chance you get.
Senior
You are just trying to pass honestly. The scary warnings about class participation making or breaking your grade doesn't faze you.
Fitness
Freshman
You've heard of the freshman fifteen and are making sure you don't let that happen to you so you schedule time to go to the gym and even do some group exercise classes.
Senior
Who has time to workout when Netflix just put up the new season of pretty little liars?
Making Friends
Freshman
You started making friends since orientation and continued to do so in your first week of class and you are confident that by senior year your clique will still be intact.
Senior
You have been through too many friendship break ups to count and you are completely content with having no friends and just focusing on graduating.
Cafeteria
Freshman
Your parents have gotten you a meal plan and told you to make sure it doesn't go to waste so you thoroughly enjoy the cafeteria food.
Senior
You no longer have a meal plan so your dinner plans usually include a delicious bowl of ramen noodles and the candle light of Netflix.
To any freshman reading this you may think this is a jab at you and other first years, its not. We've all been there and we know exactly what it feels like. To seniors think they are too cool for first years don't forget not too long ago you were in their shoes.
