“Hello! My name is Emma Cathy Smith. I’m 17 years old, and I’m a BizComm major. I’m really looking forward to this class!”
During syllabus week, that is how I introduced myself. Most of my classmates, however, never caught the second half of my intro; once I mentioned my age, that’s all that was relevant. I could hear the whispered conversations as loudly as if they were being blasted on a megaphone. My classmates’ reactions ranged from shock to wonder (and, in a few cases, disappointment).
The concept of being a minor in college can be hard to grasp. There are so many experiences that, as someone my age (and as someone who likes being on the good side of the law), can’t experience. I can’t drink at parties (obviously) - in fact, I legally couldn’t attend parties that serve alcohol without becoming a liability risk to other guests. I couldn’t sign forms on my own; I needed to call my mother every time I needed a form signed. I couldn’t even consider internships or trips where I’d be traveling out of state; many of these opportunities had a firm ‘you must be 18 years or older’ sign stamped at the bottom.
I felt very limited in this setting, especially because I lived on campus. I was on my own, ready to experience the full breadth of independence I had only dreamed about, yet...that independence still wasn’t mine to grasp. When this realization first hit me, it was suffocating.
With that being said, though...my experience was still fantastic. In fact, I learned a lot through it. For example, I learned time management. In order for my mother to drive up in time to sign a form, I had to let her know as soon as I received it so we could plan ahead. I also learned the limits of what I can handle stress-wise. To join the newly minted e-sports team on campus, I once again needed my mother’s signature. She spent days trying to talk me out of it, but eventually caved and signed it. However, I quickly learned that her reasons for hesitation were valid. I didn’t have the time to do that and keep up with my schoolwork and other commitments. I learned a valuable lesson through that.
I also learned that you don’t need partying to have fun in college. Shocker, right? There are so many experiences to be gained if you just open your eyes. For example, I joined my school’s marching band, and, while it took up so much of my free time, I made so many friends and connections through the experience. I’m now a section leader for next year’s season - and the youngest one, at that. I tried new hobbies and kept up with old ones, like knitting and running my YouTube channel. I went to the club-sponsored Homecoming dances and cookouts whenever I could. I kept up with my schoolwork, which was fun in itself simply because I am in love with my major. Overall, I built experiences out of my situation that I will never take for granted, and I ended my freshman year with all of my expectations fulfilled.
By the time the year was over, my age was barely relevant. As college students, we all adapt and grow in the college experience differently. My unique perspective pushed me up to the point where I was on the same level as my peers, and it felt empowering. We all have our stories, and we all wrote our first chapters together. We grew together; we learned about ourselves together; we struggled together. In the end, I can still relate to all of my peers, and I hope they feel the same, regardless of my age.
TLDR; It doesn’t feel that different. I’m grateful to have had the experience from this perspective, but at this point, we’re all going through this new experience together, so there’s no need to treat us too differently. I’ll be turning 18 this summer, so I definitely have new things to look forward in the upcoming year! I can’t wait to see what sophomore year has to throw my way, and I’m glad my age will no longer affect some of the unique opportunities that I’ll be presented.