When I got the news that I was admitted to Mount Holyoke College, I was overjoyed. When I found out I was admitted for the spring semester rather than the fall semester, I was a little less overjoyed. More than anything, I was confused. What does this mean? A thousand questions rushed into my mind. I barely knew anything about what it would mean to enter college like I was supposed to, in fall, with the rest of my class, now I had to figure out what it meant to enter in spring. Would I still graduate on time? Would I struggle socially? Would it be more work for me to graduate? Nonetheless, I knew Mount Holyoke was the school for me and I was determined to go, regardless of when I got there. I let go of my worries, however temporarily, and said yes to the school of my dreams.
After the incredible three months of my gap semester, I arrived to the campus for spring orientation. And yes, I quickly realized that all my worries and fears were valid.
Socially, things felt hard. There were uncountable numbers of fall admits and just a select few springies. Everyone already seemed to have their own, tight-knit, pre-established groups that were impossible to join. Everyone seemed to already know everyone else, and mindlessly waved and smiled and said "hey" to just about everyone that passed by, and I was the odd man out, the new kid.
At first, it was hard. I didn't know who my friends were. Every conversation I had consisted entirely of small talk. I had no idea where my classes were or what clubs to join. But everyone else seemed to have it all down. It was honestly exhausting.
But then, eventually, things got better. And now things are not only normal, but great. And the most surprising part of it was the fact that I didn't even notice that things were getting better until everything just got better. It seemed like one day I woke up and suddenly had a bunch of friends, and not just "friends" who I could have a-little-less-than awkward small talk with, but friends who I could be my authentic self around and really laugh with. I knew where I was going on campus, and classes became an extremely comfortable space. Life got exponentially easier. The campus officially felt like home.
Sure, I will still have some extra work to do in order to graduate on time with the rest of my class. But at the end of the day, catching up is a minor dilemma. It's always possible to take classes over breaks.
So basically, my advice to anyone entering college a little later than the rest of their class is this: every moment that it seems too hard, every moment that you feel like a fish out of water, will pass, things will get better, and you will find your people.
