Dear First Semester at College,

You did not kick my butt as much as I thought you would, which I am very thankful for. I thought I’d be drowning come winter break, but really, I’m doing just fine. You did, however, teach me some valuable lessons over the past 4 months.

You taught me how to ask for help. Its ok to ask for a ride somewhere, or to ask a family member to help you out when you aren’t feeling so great. Everyone makes it seem like college is about being completely dependent but honestly, I rely on more people now than ever before. I rely on my Big to drive me home from the sorority house because heaven knows I am WAY too lazy to walk, my roommate to drive me to Wal-Mart and fuel my Chugz addiction (while at the same time starting hers), and on my family to bring me on one of the best Thanksgiving vacations I’ve ever been on.

You taught me to take a chance. I thought joining a sorority would be too much of a time commitment. I thought four-wheeling in the snow would be the last thing I do. I thought taking on an internship and a job would ruin any chance of fun I would ever have. Boy was I wrong! My sorority brought me the best friends I could have asked for and amazing opportunities to meet other people and get involved on campus. My internship and job keep me busy and someday I’ll be grateful for all the connections I’ve made because of them. And four-wheeling up and down the mountainside in the snow is one of the most memorable things I’ve done this semester.

From you I learned how to say no. No to the creepy guys who hit on me at the Halloween party, no to my roommates when I didn’t want to go out with them, and no to a second date with the guy who dropped me off on the side of the road. More importantly, I learned to say no to failing. I definitely said I wasn’t going to try on most of my schoolwork and that I would live by the idea that ‘C’s get degrees,” but I studied for the tests I had and I spent hour after hour on my final paper for the semester. I refused to let you, my lovely first semester, tear me down.

Lastly, from you I learned about friendship. I learned that just because you were best friends with someone in high school, doesn’t mean they will be there when you randomly call, or to even send you text every now and then. The one person you knew when you came up to college will find other friends and you might not ever see them. But mostly, college will lead you to those people who you eat crappy dining hall dinners with, and who become your home away from home. College, you brought several people into my life who make me happy even when it’s snowing and I can’t feel my toes, who run me to Wal-Mart because I don’t have my own car, and who cuddle and watch movies with me. I learned that there would be best friends from home who would keep in touch, and they are the ones I want around forever.

Thank you, first semester of college, for making it one to remember. There were more good times than bad, and more smiles than tears. I’m grateful I did everything I did during those first four months, and I wouldn’t change any of it for the world.

Sincerely,

A College Freshman