This year, as I did last year, with my first-ever Odyssey article, I saw a plethora of prospective students. Many of them. Swarming the lunchroom, bringing on the Prospie-pocalypse. (I kid, I kid. I really enjoy helping them out, to be honest! They're so sweet.) This year, though, was especially poignant, since I am a second-semester junior, and 4 years ago, as a second-semester junior in high school, during a small rough patch in my life, was when I first found Wooster.
A few more visits and an overnight stay later after one of the college's representative visited, and I found my school. Or, at least, it was an option, but I wasn't sure if it was the right school for me--I said, wearing full-on Wooster gear and a Wooster-colors black-and-gold, almost-appearing-to-be-Hufflepuff-themed-merch-if-you-didn't-look-closely scarf.
Looking back, there was no other choice for me. Still: Don't worry if you don't find your school right away, prospective students; you'll "click" and know it as soon as it happens. Still, even then, after moving in and trying to brave the new territory that is college, I was worried. Did I make the right decision? Was it worth being unbelievably homesick? But, my fears were soon assuaged.
I've grown so much. Being away from my toxic ex-friends was phenomenal for me, and I was still able to keep contact with my best friends from home while making new friends. I began to be more independent overall. Calling the doctor's office. Going to office hours. Making appointments. Doing job interviews. My own chores. Not that I didn't do those in high school, but at college, I had to, out of necessity.
Sure, there have been some stumbling points along the way, but I'm so much happier than I was in high school. I've grown so much as a person, matured so much, that it's mind-blowing. And, along with that, there are some friends here who have grown to be my adopted family, and I've come to realize, through them, and in talking with my flesh-and-blood family, just how loved I am.
But, to you, dear Prospective Student, wherever you end up, Wooster or otherwise, know that college will be good for you. It will be scary. Stressful. Tearful. But, it will be immensely rewarding.
You will meet people who will become your home away from home. You'll start to slip up and say "home" when you mean "dorm room", even at your actual house, while on vacation. Because, if you play your cards right, your college will be your home.
It's not an easy adventure. But, it's an adventure that will change you in the best of ways. To the prospective students: Whether things are going perfectly for you, or things are going horribly, no matter what, know that things will get better and that college is only the beginning.
