By this time this article is published, I will have (finally) finished packing up my things, returned my room key and said “goodbye” to you and “hello” to home and summer. It’s been a wild ride these past eight months. There’s something about bringing a big group of students from all over the country together and putting them together in a residence hall that brings out the best and worst in them.
If your walls could talk then they would not stop telling to foibles of a big group of college freshman most of which didn’t even know which was up. From 3 a.m. fire alarms to the smell of burnt popcorn so strong it makes your eyes water, there is nothing quite like living here. If I had to summarize this year in one line it would be “never a dull moment.” There was always something going on here, there was always someone to talk to or some adventure to be had. They say that you never forget your freshman dorm experience and I'm inclined to think that that is true.
I spent a lot of time on Pinterest the summer leading up to my freshman year. I read countless articles on "how to survive your freshman dorm" and "dorm hacks" and I thought the I was prepared, but nothing really could have prepared me for the experience that I have had living here. I am really grateful that I have gotten to navigate living here on my own. I have made my best friends here, we've stayed up late watching Netflix and eating popcorn. We've procrastinated on homework and studying here and on multiple occasions, I have fallen asleep on the floor of their room instead of making the walk up two flights of stairs and down the hallway to my own bed. That week that we didn't have any paper towels or toilet paper in the bathroom because the cleaning lady was sick, that was awful and I'll never forget it. That day where it poured rain all day and as soon as it stopped raining we lost power for hours; that wasn't too bad except there were no windows in the bathroom so it was in complete darkness. We complained mercilessly through these events but now we look back at them and smile.
I am so grateful for every late and night, early morning, fire alarm, power outage and laundry fiasco of this year. I have learned so much from living here. Saying goodbye will no doubt be tearful for me but you'll soon have another batch of brand new, confused freshmen. One thing that I have learned from living here is it is definitely what you make of it. A freshman dorm is not luxurious or even clean most of the time but it is where some of your best memories will take place and your best friendships will be formed. Thanks for everything and I'll do my best to come by and visit next year.
Love,
Me
