As a sophomore in college, the beginning of this school year is immensely different from the beginning of my freshman year. This summer was the first one that I can firmly say I wanted to come back to school, and the question “when is summer over?” was asked repeatedly.
Last year, I moved into school as a wide-eyed, nervous freshman. I did not know many people, and I simply did not know what to do with myself once I jumped out of my parents’ nest. The high anxiety levels and amounts of nervous breakdowns I had were unhealthy.
I distinctly remember the nerves and knots in my stomach that consumed my well-being at the end of the summer before my freshman year of college. I was SO nervous of what was to come. Where would I go when my parents left? What if I can’t find my classes? Why can’t I go barefoot in the community showers? The questions I had that I could not find answers to kept me up at night.
The difference from then to now could not be any more opposite. I was so excited to move into the Delta Zeta chapter house with many of my sisters and best friends, which was one of the reasons I felt that I needed to be back to school.
I remember leaving EIU last May thinking about how fast I wanted summer to go. The amount of love and support I have from the people here is not at all what I expected. I knew I would like college, but I did not expect to adore it this much. If I could rewind to the beginning of freshman year, I would not expect myself to have this frame of mind in regards to going to school.
The residence halls have a few ups, and many downs, but overall I can say that the memories made in the beloved Lawson Hall are life lasting. I met some of my best friends in the dorms, and I knew I would be missing them dearly over the summer, not living a floor or two away.
Becoming part of a sorority also made being at school so enjoyable as well. Going Greek was the best decision I ever made. The girls in Delta Zeta are all so loving and supportive, and I could not ask for better sisters. As a girl who grew up with no sisters, it is great to be able to say I have so many now.
To be concise, I am so happy to be back here at school. I never want to leave this place, and I want to live in the Delta Zeta chapter house forever. I love my family and my hometown, but I fully comprehend why adults will tell you “college is the best four years of your life.”
I went from a nervous freshman that cried every day throughout the first week of school to an incoming sophomore who could not wait to be back, to a current sophomore who never wants to leave. I am lucky to have met the people I’ve met here. I am so very blessed to say such positive things about my college experience. If you are a nervous freshman like I was, do not worry, you will fall in love with college in no time.
