College is one of the strangest times in any growing adults life. Most of the time, young adults uproot their whole life to move to a completely different town, meet all new people and typically live alone for the first time in their lives. Because there are so many new experiences and several new challenges (i.e., taxes, groceries, laundry), college students begin to turn into the beloved Pixar character, Dory.
First week of Freshman Year.
First week of Freshmen Year is being all bright eyed and bushy tailed! With those big eyes full of hope, everyone is your friend and you are so naive. You can be easily spotted around campus because you still believe life is full of ambition.
You think you are going to be late to every class. Or a social outing. Or anything.
MUST. SPEED. WALK. EVERYWHERE. Even though University of Idaho has a fairly small campus compared to others, you are practically running everywhere at a pace I call the 'Freshmen Shuffle'.
Someone takes your regular seat in class.
Alright, I know there is no assigned seating especially in my 300 person Biology 114 class but really dude. I have been sitting there for the past three weeks. Maybe you should come to class more often and then you would know.
Every time you make a new friend, whether it be the first week or half way through second semester, they become your everything.
Every time I make a new friend, even up to the last day in May, they become my one and only in the world. They are just so cute and lovable, how could you not be proud?
Going to a party.
If you are like me, social situations can be rough. The first party you go to might be terrifying. I became that obnoxious friend who clings on tight to any of my friends that I went to the party with. Sorry not sorry.
Having a rough night.
Let's all admit it. We have had some rough nights in college where our poor friends have to practically carry us everywhere. A moment of silence for the amazing friends you have that make sure you get back in bed.
We are so easily distracted.
Just like baby Dory playing in squishy sand, all college students are easily distracted. Studying for a chemistry test? Better go to Dutch Bros.! Need to do your laundry? Nah, I am going to go over to the fraternity. It is amazing that we can accomplish a degree in four years with our attention span.
Just keep swimming.
After awhile, you have to keep yourself sane. You start to tell yourself one more test, or just a few more lectures. But all you got to do in life is just keep swimming.
Most of the time though, we are Gerald.
Let's be real. We are poor, old Gerald. He is just trying to sit on the rock and be his derpy self, but the guy cannot catch a break. I feel a deep, spiritual connection with Gerald.
Overall, I think it is a blessing to have the mindset of Dory at our age. I know this is a time where we are legal adults and need to be talking life seriously, but just make sure you are still have some fun while you are wondering around trying to figure out what you are doing with this amazing thing called life.
