It seems as if it was only yesterday when I walked across the stage dressed in those horrendous graduation outfits and said goodbye to high school forever. Let me tell you, I could not wait to leave my high school and move on to the bigger and better world of college. I'm sure you can relate as you prepare to walk the stage in the upcoming weeks, but before you say goodbye to high school and hello to college, I want you to know what college is truly like and to assure you that you will not be alone. We see it in movies, read about it in magazines, and idealize it in our minds, but freshman year is not as expected and will probably be described as the best-worst year of your life. I want to share my freshman experience with you as encouragement and assurance that you are not alone.
I moved into my dorm room on August 6, 2016, with about 3 trucks and a U-Haul full of anything and everything Pinterest had recommended. I had moved in much earlier than most students because I had decided to participate in sorority recruitment. I went through most of the rush week before being informed that I had been released from recruitment. I was devastated and sat on my bed in my preference night dress and sobbed while my roommates continued on with recruitment. I had my college experienced mapped out and this was not part of the plan. I was confused and broken inside for the first two weeks of living on campus. My three roommates, at the time, had all accepted bids and were out of the room frequently enjoying what I could not have a sisterhood. I was alone and in a place where I knew no one. This was a pivotal moment in my freshman year. I decided then that I would not let this define me. I was selected as a member of Freshman Forum and because I had not joined a sorority, I had more time to discover a passion I did not know I would come to love. Greek life is awesome, but it isn't for everyone. Know that.
In September, I moved to a different dorm room because the relationship I had planned with my roommates had not worked out. I was placed down the hall with a group of strangers who intimidated me greatly. They were not a part of my plan and I was surely not a part of theirs. They took me in and accepted me immediately. We shared many laughs, memories, and red bulls in that room. A deep friendship was created with these girls and I resulted in the sisterhood I had longed for.
As spring semester moved forward I found myself very depressed and overly emotional. I hated school and I am sure it was evident. At the time I was a biomedical science major. I had always seen myself as a doctor or a nurse and had grown up in a medical family. It was just assumed that this was what I was supposed to do. It was all apart of the plan. I absolutely hated everything about the medical track I was on and my grades were suffering because of it. I cried a lot. I did not want to admit that this was not for me. I spent hours talking to friends and family about wanted to change my major, but I would never do it. I finally did in April and immediately felt a huge burden lift off of my chest. I had spent so much time trying to please others that I had failed to make sure I was happy. Make yourself happy-pursue what you know is good for you.
I moved home two weeks ago happier and more confident in myself than I have ever been in my life. My advice for you is this: don't lock yourself into your plan so much that you are unable to grow. Some of the happiest moments come out of adversity. Bloom where you are planted. Here's wishing you the best of luck in your future endeavors and congratulations!
You will make it through this.
