Dear Freshman Year,
As you came to a close this week, I decided it would be fitting to write you this letter in honor of your inevitable ending. We all knew you would have to end eventually; I guess I just really thought we would have more time together. You have given me some of the best – and worst – days and nights of my life, and for both, I will always be thankful. You have taught me so much about myself as a person, but most importantly, you have helped me grow into a person I could've only hoped to become before you came into my life.
From the moment you began, I knew you were going to be special. I had always dreaded the first day of school ever since elementary school; the beginning of the school year meant the beginning of the never ending monotony of drudging to six classes a day, waking up at God-forsaken early hours of the morning, and a steady lull of dress-code violations, benchmark tests, and busy work. And, in high school especially, I found myself surrounded by less and less genuine friends and struggling for a real purpose in my life; I worried this might be how the entire world would be as I walked across the stage at my high school graduation, filled with both elation and anxiety, knowing in just a few short weeks we would finally meet face-to-face at San Diego State.
When I moved into my freshman dorms my first day at SDSU, I was not aware of the impact that just living in these dorms would have on my life. Although I was quite certain that living in Chapultepec, literally miles away from the center of campus (and basic civilization; the best do NOT live that far west, trust me), the friends I made in my dorm hall were some of the first and best friends I have kept over the course of you, my freshman year, and in my life, and the memories (some undoubtedly questionable) I made there, I will hold in my heart forever (although I can't say I will miss sharing an 8x10 foot space with two other roommates, not to mention the communal bathrooms).
Another major highlight that you brought into my life was my sorority, Alpha Chi Omega. Becoming an AXO this year was by far the best decision I have ever made. From bid day, running into a room of screaming, singing girls, each and every one excited to see MY face in their home, to getting my beautiful big sis and becoming best friends with her, to learning and mastering the art of “fratting" with my pledge class, to essentially living at the AXO chapter house my last few months of school because I never wanted to go home, Alpha Chi has brought me more joy, fun, and most importantly, friendship and love that I ever could have dreamed college would bring me. A huge shout out to you, freshman year, for making that possible.
All in all, we've had our bad times, I have to admit; like getting hopelessly lost on campus more times than I'd like to admit, all-nighters spent cramming and praying in the library for midterms and finals, Communication 103 being the bane of my existence, and meal plan food for literally every single meal. But, the good times, in my opinion, completely and entirely outweigh the bad. From finally choosing and pursuing a major and classes I am passionate about, to befriending the coolest guys on campus and becoming a Phi Kappa Theta “groupie," to sisterhood roller skating and yoga, to wine Wednesdays, to overall just having the freedom to branch out, try new things, and meet some of the most amazing people and lifelong friends along the way; you have taught and given me so much.
I think I can speak for all of us when I say this to my ending freshman year: I hope you can someday understand just how prolific your existence has had upon ours. Though I already miss you dearly, I will always look back on our time together with fondness in my heart. But, as I close your chapter in my life, I look forward to meeting a new one, my sophomore year, with open arms. Best of luck to next year's freshmen who have the privilege of meeting you next!
All the best,
Julianna
