College is a huge chapter in life. Before I even graduated from high school, that was all I could think about. I wanted to get out of my small town, away from the people I had grown up with. I wanted to make new friends, explore new places and try new things.
When I finally went off to college, it was everything I thought it would be. I made friends quicker than I thought I would, which was one of my biggest worries. I got involved in sports and extracurriculars right away, and that definitely had a positive impact on my schoolwork. Of course some of my courses were hard, but I was more motivated than ever to do well. Looking back on the first two semesters, I don’t think I would have changed anything. Almost everything I anticipated would happen did, but there was one thing I didn’t anticipate — the amount of change and growth I went through as a person.
I came across many types of people that I hadn’t the first 18 years of my life. In some cases it was a good thing, but in others, it was not. There was one girl I met on the fourth day of school, and I swear I have never met anyone more similar to me. We both loved being physically active, we both loved the show "Bob’s Burgers" and countless other things. Needless to say, she is my best friend to this day. She was one of the few good types of people I experienced during my first year.
Over the course of my first year, I came across several people who challenged the way I think, the way I deal with certain situations and how I look at life. One of the many lessons I learned was that it is so important to stand up for yourself. I used to be someone whose feelings and emotions were taken advantage of, but not anymore. After years, I finally know how to stand up for myself. I am now able to decide when a friendship or situation is worth my time. I know how to walk away.
Another lesson I learned was that one of the best things you can have in college is an open mind. There are so many new people with so many ideas and opinions that should be heard. I heard a quote the other day that said, “What good are the eyes if the mind is closed?” And it's true. If you have a closed mind, making friends will be so much harder; even having a good college experience will be harder. Be open to change, be open to new ways of thinking and be accepting of everyone around you.
College has not only sharpened my mind, but has opened it too. After just several months, I have grown more as a person than I ever thought I would have. It is a truly life-changing experience, and I wouldn’t change it for anything.
