College is the best four years of your life.
I heard this statement repeated throughout high school and even briefly during my initial college years from teachers, peers, the media, and pretty much anyone who was not currently in college. I always wondered what was so magical about this mystical land of college because, from what I had gathered, there was more homework and less sleep, and that didn't sound like the dreamboat everyone kept describing to me.
As a freshman I was the poster child for excitement and learning. There was nothing that could faze me, and if something did come close, I chalked it up as part of a new learning experience and not a potential stressor. Everything was wonderful, classes were exciting, and the cafeteria food had a unique charm to it. I truly did believe that these four years would become the best four years of my life. There’s a certain degree of sadness in believing that I would be done experiencing all the wonderful things that life holds by the age of 21. What do I do after that? Do I just lead my life knowing that the best years are past me and try to emulate them in any little way that I can? Or do I deny that and continue on the pursuit to find and enjoy the best years of my life?
Having been in college for a year and a half now, I know that I don’t have to answer these questions and that they are not black and white. College has exposed me to things that are more beautiful and wonderful than I ever imagined experiencing. There have been tears shed over how beautiful a symphony a friend played was or how moving a piece of slam poetry at the open mic is. However, it has equally been the hardest time I have experienced in my life. Every day comes as a challenge, where I can either stay in bed and ignore my responsibilities as a student at a highly competitive institution or go to class and learn.
Although it seems like a clear-cut decision, it really isn’t. There are so many factors to consider, like the weather, the anxiety level, being tired, and so many other things that seem unfathomable to anyone who is not a college student. These past few semesters have pushed me to the limit, mentally and emotionally. There have been plenty of moments when I have doubted everything I thought I knew about my abilities to succeed and achieve the goals that I have set for myself. I have questioned whether my goals have been realistic enough or whether I even deserved being at this amazing institution.
Despite these feelings, I have somehow managed to make it through three semesters and hope to make it through the rest of them. I would be delusional to say that these are going to be the best four years of life, because they aren’t. However, it wouldn't be wrong to say these four years will be the years that I will never forget.
