Freedom Of The Mind
Start writing a post
Student Life

Freedom Of The Mind

A journey to happiness.

138
Freedom Of The Mind
In Pursuit of Love

From the time I was about 6, I dreamed of the day I would go to a big university, get a degree, and more. Big ambition for such a young age, but I've always been studious. That's why at age 18, me being at an actual big university is a little shocking to me.

No. 2 in a series of, who knows how many?

Yes, I know I said that I wanted to go to a big university, and University of Kentucky is exactly that, but no one can truly prepare you for life after high school. Now, I don't consider myself to be a part of the real world yet, I've yet to intern, or work anywhere besides restaurants, but I definitely consider the transition from high school to college to be, to put it lightly, strange. I've been at UK for about two weeks now, and already I can feel the shift of my personality. It comes a lot from my freedom here. Yes, I have classes, and my M/W schedules are relentless but it's in-between those times when i'm starting to forge my own path.

In high school I would say I was a leader, I was out going, but it all came from insecurity. I had to find something to cling to to make myself stay afloat in stressful times. In the two weeks I've been at UK, I've discovered a lot about myself in my freedom. The best I've found is confidence. In my freedom here at UK, I joined Alpha Omicron Pi, and though this is only the beginning I know AOII will take me to great places. In my freedom, I've found my friends, who though I say multiple times a day "oh my god, please never say that again," I couldn't imagine my days without their endless jokes. Even if said jokes are cringe worthy. In my freedom, I've realized literally nothing could've prepared me for all the time I would have to sit and think. High school was always nonstop, gotta be doing something. While here, I have time to relax, to analyze, to ponder. It has made a huge difference in my perception of not only myself, but the people and world around me. Not only is my freedom physical, it is mental, it is spiritual. At University Kentucky every ounce of you will be challenged. I know that and I've only been here two weeks. I can only imagine what is to come.

In the last week I've had to make some difficult choices, but as my dear friend always says "you can't light yourself on fire to keep others warm," and he's not wrong. That's where my mental freedom has come from. I stopped caring so much about how the actions that dictated my happiness would affect other people. Don't get me wrong, I don't mean I'm going to purposefully hurt people. But I realize now, I can't make myself suffer at the expense of others happiness. Because at the end of the day, though I'm happy they're happy, what matters is if I'm happy. If there's anything I've learned over the last two weeks from my peers at UK is that people are inherently good, and that seems to be our downfall. I'm not the only one in my social group doing this. Discussion over being able to find ourselves while here at UK has been the main connection I have with people. They tell me about all the years they spent not caring about themselves, and I realize they shared that with me, for me to learn.

I know it's only been almost three weeks of me being a college student. But i'm grateful college has already put me to the test, not only in an academic setting, but socially, and emotionally. I was quite sure I could handle all these changes, but like my friend always says, college taught me if i kept lighting myself on fire to keep others warm, there wouldn't be much left of me to give. I realize now, I can't give 100 percent of myself, if i'm not working to be the best me there is.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

49570
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

31572
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

955176
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

180394
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments