As graduation quickly approaches, nostalgia and disbelief at how quickly time passes are two very unavoidable emotions. They say "hindsight is 20/20," and I already have a long mental list of things I either wish I'd done or realize I could've avoided — not to be confused with regret.
In fact, I don't think I'd take anyone up on a re-do, even if it meant "fixing" those "mistakes," because even the smallest details played a part in the exponential learning and growth that I've experienced over the past five years.
However, in a humorous twist leading up to my final final exam week(s) EVER, I've found myself nostalgic for a few things that I detested as a freshman. If you've been there, the following list might resonate. If you're anxiously awaiting the arrival of freshman year, I encourage you to embrace these three annoying, yet also very convenient first-year college experiences.
1. The dining hall
The choices will get monotonous, and it's probably not the most quality dining you'll ever experience. But think of it this way: you, essentially, have an entire team of personal chefs within a 10-second walk. No grocery shopping, no cleanup, no time commitment, and most importantly, ice cream is always available.
2. Living in a dorm
Those tiny rooms that smell weird no matter how many Glade wall fresheners you plug in at once, sharing a bathroom with an entire hall (or suite) and questioning everything you know about personal hygiene. It sucks, but you'll miss it, at least once, when you're living off campus. Because rolling out of bed and walking to your 8 a.m. 15 minutes before it begins beats waking up an hour early and walking a mile or having to drive.
3. Not having a car
You might feel a bit stranded at first, but I promise it's not that bad. If I had my car freshman year, I'd have been home every weekend and made zero friends. Enjoy being within walking distance to, pretty much, everything you need. Plus, it's an excellent excuse to say no to plans. On the flip side, it's an excellent way to make friends. Need a ride to church? The grocery store? Shopping? Make a friend with a car.
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The first year is a learning curve, but it comes along with some unique perks. Try not to complain. I wish I hadn't. Instead, embrace the weird, awkward, inconvenient, and sometimes unsanitary aspects. (But always carry hand sanitizer.) Believe it or not, you might just find yourself wanting it back at some point or another
