We've all been there— leaving home for the first time, meeting new people, experiencing new situations, and trying things you NEVER thought you would try. I'd like to wrap up my first year of undergrad by reflecting on the past nine months, in the eyes of the show that carried me through all of the trials and tribulations that were my freshman year.
Leaving home and “starting fresh."
After drowning in the basicity that was your hometown, and sitting beside the same hundreds of peers for upwards of fifteen years, you were feeling washed-up and ready to break free. You were way too current and extraordinary to be affiliated with those burnouts and you were ready to take your university by storm.
Moving in and realizing that 150 of your classmates had the same idea.
You walk into your residence hall on move-in day, and who do you see? The same cake-face that you have seen in homeroom on your first day for the last thirteen years! She's so excited to see you in her new chapter and you can't say you feel the same.
Meeting your random roommate for the first time.
The Facebook and Instagram stalking that you did all summer didn't do your new obligatory bestie any justice. It only took one look in the eyes to know that the two of you were more alike than you ever imagined. This year is going to be great.
Dressing to impress on your first day of class.
The high school senior hiding in your heart didn't forget the unspoken rules— you were brainwashed to "dress to impress" on your first day of class. However, this year you were greeted by a lecture hall full of norts, frat tanks, and running shoes— lessons were learned before your first class had even begun.
Attending your first college party.... and every college party thereafter.
After many years of school dances and bonfires in your ex's backyard, you couldn't help but feel overjoyed by the idea of a real party. You never knew what you were missing, but now that you've tasted college you're never going back.
Preparing for exams.
Your high school teachers weren't messing around when they said that you actually had to study in college. It all made so much sense when you were scrolling through Twitter in class, listening to every other sentence that spilled out of your professor's mouth. With 12-hours until exam time you're questioning every decision you have made in your life thus far.
Going home for breaks.
Let's face it; all of your cool new friends at university live within a 15-minute radius of one another, whether they knew it or not. You're the only one who lives three hours across the state and you're about to be stuck with those high school burnouts once again for an entire month— how will you survive?
Realizing that you're poor.
By now, graduation money and your savings from that part-time job as a camp counselor last summer have run out, and now you're not only scared to check your grades, but also your bank account. How are you going to pay cover for the next two months and even worse... satisfy your Chick-fil-A addiction? Your parents are telling you to apply for jobs— who do they think you are?
There are those high school friends again!
Your fake smile and completely forced questions about their classes are beginning to get old. It's been nine months since graduation and you've moved on— why haven't they?
Moving out of your dorm.
By now you've signed a lease for a luxurious off campus apartment next fall, and you're so over answering to an R.A. and your obnoxious floor-mates. Besides, your beachfront hometown is calling your name— you can live without the college scene for a couple of months.
Reminiscing.
Looking back, you have just had the best year of your life. As sad as you are to see it come to an end, you keep the future on your mind. As she always did, Naomi Clark said it best: “It's never over. It's only just beginning."
