Coming from a small, all girls Catholic high school, I swore I would never attend an all women’s college. Now don't get me wrong, high school was amazing and I have friends from there that are still some of my best friends in the world, but I was ready for a change. Low and behold, I ended up at the one kind of school I swore I would never attend; the only all women’s college that I looked at: Saint Mary’s.
One year in and I already know that it has been the best decision of my life. Saint Mary’s has been the greatest home I could have ever imagined. Going to college over 10 hours away from home, I had no idea what to expect; I knew no one at the school, and I had never met my roommates.
However, I can honestly say that the last year, all the ups and downs included, has been the best year of my life. I have learned to live on my own, live with friends and roommates and even to do laundry without shrinking every item I own. I have grown as an individual and learned to balance school and life in a way that I have never had the chance to do before college.
Here are some of the most wonderful things I have learned are:
The importance of attending classes and meeting with my teachers.
Every teacher that I have had works with me and encourages me to succeed. You never know if that one thing they told you in office hours will be the few words that click in your mind as you look to answer a question on your final exam.
Sometimes the nights you think will be the most boring end up being the best.
Some of my favorite nights of college include the nights staying up late with friends and finishing assignments that also lead to joking around, late night food and anything to procrastinate doing the work we oh-so-badly need to get done. That’s what college is about though; school is important, but not something that should be your only focus 24/7.
Your friends will be the highlight of your days.
The friends that you stick with at orientation will not always be the people you are friends with. My friends have been the best part of my freshman year. I have never been so entertained with stories, had so many fun days and nights or just had so many people to support me in everything that I do. One of the greatest parts about attending an all women’s school is the friendships and community that is formed between everyone. I never feel uncomfortable or unsafe when I am surrounded by not only my friends, but everyone from my school.
College is an amazing experience filled with wonderful opportunities, new experiences and hard work, but it is all worth it. As I leave for the summer, I am excited to be home, but know that I will miss driving down the Avenue, running next door to tell my friends a funny story or ordering food at 3 a.m. as I try to finish my project due the next morning. I cannot wait to return to school in the fall to see what else I have to learn.
As I leave, all that I have to say is, cheers to freshman year.
