Moving into college, whether it is for the first or fourth time, is an emotional roller coaster. When I moved in this past week, I had a hard time adjusting, and I am still trying to get comfortable. Getting out of the house after living there for the past 3 months is weird. I wasn’t ready to get back into the swing of being busy from the second my feet hit the floor in the morning to the time I couldn’t keep my eyes open for another second. I wasn’t ready to have to go to class and do homework and study. However, my perspective turned around after I moved in the first year students.

I remembered what it felt like to step foot on campus for the first time. I remembered moving my belongings into a strange room that I was supposed to feel comfortable in but didn’t. I remember meeting my classmates for the first time, wondering who I would come to call some of my closest friends. I remember the first night staying at college; the excitement and fear are both very similar to how I feel 3 years later.

Transitioning from home life to college life is a big change, no matter how old you are. While I was attending the convocation for the new students, I felt nervous, sad and scared all over again. I was thinking about when I was in their shoes and how much I truly did not like the feeling. I didn’t like being uncomfortable, and it still takes me a few days to become comfortable back at college. I remembered how clueless I was, but I also remembered the relief once the adjustment was made; once my dorm became home and my friends became family. It is truly a wonderful experience, despite the emotional roller coaster that comes with it.

This year, the adjustments became easier due to the people with whom I was sharing the experience. I had the privilege of working with a great group of students as the Fresh Start staff. They are incredible leaders and their kindness goes beyond measure. They made the transition week a little more bearable, and the adjustment a little less stressful. They also created a very positive atmosphere for the incoming students. I watched students go from not saying a word Friday morning, to standing on stage and performing in front of their peers at a talent show Saturday night. I watched students go from crying because their parents left them Friday, to laughing with their new friends at dinner Sunday. It was such a wonderful experience to watch them adapt to this new and overwhelming lifestyle.

In preparation for being a Fresh Start leader, I attended lectures on diversity and acceptance throughout campus. The college world has been very interesting to me, and very eye opening. I am learning more about people as humans, not based on their race or religion. I have adjusted to accept that not everyone is like me… actually, no one is exactly like me, so standards should not be held on acceptance. I have adjusted to realize how awesome it is that a community contains so many different people, yet we all share a common home.

I have come to realize that adjusting to Westminster has taught me so much about life and the challenges people face. I have learned academics, leadership skills, and most importantly, how to adjust to the world that I live in. Transitions are hard, but once we leave our comfort zone, we often find a new place to call home.