As the waves crash, sunbeams, and hot dogs and burgers sizzle filling the air with hints that summertime has come, I realize how fast my freshman year of college washed by me. Coming to JMU fresh out of the water, I remember how nervous I was, yet how enticing this new life would be for me. The possibilities were endless, and the choice was mine.
It all began with the awkward Facebook messaging between potential roommates (which honestly felt like blind dating), then came the wonders of picking out room decorations endlessly on Pinterest. I wanted the Pinterest perfect dorm room, like any other girl out there, and had hopes for the best hall and RA. The time came closer, and soon enough, August 26th, 2015, I fit snugly into my parents SUV in between my boxes and bags. I sipped nervously on my Dunkin Donuts iced coffee, awaiting my new life on the other side of this two-hour drive.
When I arrived, I remember feeling overwhelmed but excited as I met the new people I would soon live with for the next nine months. FROG week led to endless icebreaker games, long days of walking, and most enough, the bonding time we all needed. One piece of advice I would give to the upcoming first-years is to cherish your time with your hall mates and FROGs during this week. You may get irritable with the ongoing icebreakers, but trust me, you WILL miss this. After this week, the hall divides as everyone finds their place at JMU. JMU becomes your new home, and hopefully for you (like me), your hall mates will become your new family.
Before I knew it, freshman year flew by with long nights at Carrier, late night orders of Tutti Gusti and Chinese, delayed morning brunches every Sunday at EHALL and DHALL, and nights that never ended with the friends that I now call my “JMU family." I couldn’t have asked for a better hall who always calmed me down when I stressed out over an exam, camped out with me on the Quad when ESPN came for college game day and brought me food when I had strep. These were the girls who never turned down a dance party, sat there and listened to me when I cried over a stupid boy, always caught me when I fell off some elevated surface, never said “no” to ordering mozzarella sticks and garlic knots at one in the morning, and never turned down any crazy adventures (may it have been two in the morning or two in the afternoon). No matter what time it was, there was always someone there to help me when I needed it most.
So before I realized it, my freshman year ship had sailed on by, and a new ship awaits me as I progress onto my sophomore year, here at JMU. And to the upcoming first-years I encourage you all to cherish every moment and opportunity you have as a freshman. For the majority of you, this will be your first taste of freedom, thus, take it piece by piece. Don’t be afraid to venture throughout your dorm and meet as many people as you can and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Rarely say no to trying new opportunities, join Greek life, join clubs, and dance the night away. Eat all the nachos and ice cream you can, never pass up the opportunity to pet a Quad Cat on your way to class, prepare for Carrier to be your second home, and always hold the door. You may have times where you second-guess your whole life and times where you feel as if you’re doing your best but it’s just not good enough; just remember this is all a learning process. You were accepted into this university for a reason, and you have a purpose here at JMU. Time management is the key to success, coffee will become your life, and alone time will become sacred, but in the end, everything will work out and it will all be worth it. So, congratulations class of 2020 and welcome to the best years of your life!
