The first day I walked through the entrance of the university in which I'd be spending my next four years, I shook with excitement. I didn't know what college would be like, and thoughts of what the next year would bring swarmed around my head. One thing was for sure in my mind: I'd need to be prepared to be the odd one out. I was strange, and I'd accepted it, but it was still difficult for me to make friends. Instead of partying and drinking, I was used to staying in and either painting or writing poetry. My favorite type of music was hard rock and metal. I wasn't exactly the most desirable friend to have. I thought no one would like me or want to be around me. I'd already let my middle school and high school labels get to me. I was used to being a freak, or at least being seen as one.
In this particular memory, I write specifically to one of my first groups of college friends, who "captured" me and crowned me honorary "freshie." I still remember when I first met you all. It was a Friday night, and I'd missed dinner at the cafeteria, so I stopped at the gym's cafe with my roommates for some food. After I finished my dinner, I asked one of my roommates if she knew whether or not we were allowed to play basketball in the court on the floor below us. "I dunno," she said. "Why don't you ask them?" She pointed to two students in the court. I agreed hesitantly, as I was scared to talk to people I'd never met. Eventually, I wound up going up to them and asking them if I could play too. They said yes.
After striking up conversation with them, one of the sophomore girls said she had other friends she thought I would like and asked if I wanted to hang out with them that night. After agreeing, meeting with the rest of the group, and getting attacked with hugs by each of you, I can say that I consider you to be some of my closest friends at college. You've taught me that I am allowed to accept friendship, and that I am not any less deserving of being liked than anyone else is. Not only that, but you've urged me time and time again to remember that growing up doesn't end when you finish college, but continues throughout the rest of a person's life. It's okay to leave college still wanting to improve, and accepting that everyone has weaknesses is the first step to becoming stronger and more mature. Even after making friends with all of you, I've found myself drawn to furthering friendships with more upperclassmen as well. The truth is, we're all the same and all working towards a common goal: adulthood. We know that just because we've turned 18, it doesn't automatically entitle us to that role.
Though I've only known all of you for less than a year, I feel as though I've known each of you for much, much longer. I've found in you a support system as well as a collective of life-coaches, always there for me through any type of drama and ready to help me get past whatever hurdles I face. So far, I've already had to wave goodbye to a handful of you as graduation called you from Alvernia University. If I had to say which part of college has been the hardest for me, that would definitely be it. I'd spent so little time with you, and before I knew it, the year had ended. However, seeing you graduate has been one of my happiest moments in college so far as well. More than anything, I can't wait to see how each of you go on to make your mark on the rest of the world, and I know this won't be goodbye for good.
Sincerely,
Lauren Knecht,
Designated Freshman.
