This one is for the kids that just graduated high school, the ones that are spending their summer preparing to move on to the next part of their life- college. Isn’t it funny how we graduate just to go to school again?

With summer, here and if you are anything like me you will probably spend these next few months packing, checking lists and saying goodbye to friends. I just finished my freshman year at the University of Oklahoma and I hate to break the ice but the truth must be set free. College isn’t going to be everything that you want or expect it to be.

I was one of those freshmen that were ecstatic and probably overpacked for the year that I would be shoved into a single room that I would be sharing with a stranger. When I received my acceptance letter I was over the moon, I had to of told everyone I knew! Honestly, I was one of those “nerdy, loner” high schoolers. I had a job since I was fourteen and worked my butt off in school. I thought I was ready to leave the small little town I went to high school in and spread my wings, see what I was missing. I assumed that college was everything that you see and hear from everyone, that these are the years I’ll remember for the rest of my life, full of fun and friendships. If only I had known how wrong I was.

I am not saying that my experience is the same as everyone else but freshman year is hard for everyone. College is probably one of the biggest transitions you’ll make in your life, whether you are living on campus or commuting from home. It is like you are going through high school all over again except the classes are harder and the stakes are higher but hey at least you have more flexibility in scheduling.

I was excited to be on my own as a freshman, I was excited to have freedom as everyone else is coming to college. However, with freedom comes responsibility. Your parents and friends won’t be there anymore looking over your shoulder or helping you make decisions. Just because you got up for a class that started at eight in high school, does not mean that you will wake up in college.

The funny thing is that it wasn’t the first semester that was the hardest for me, it was the second semester when I came back from my long Christmas break at home. Fall semester is crazy busy, there are all sorts of activities to help get freshman involved. Not to mention I was also a new member of a sorority my first semester. By spring things started to calm down and it seemed like I had a lot more time on my hands, time to reflect on how I have really done all of this. I think I became home sick… and just because I was involved doesn’t mean that I had any close friends. I came to college not knowing anyone here. There are over 20,000 students at my university. I decided to come here because it is a little bit away from home (but close enough if I ever need anything) and all the opportunities that would be available to me. It isn’t as easy making friends as it looks though. Going through all of this just helped me grow and it helped me realize that freshman year is just more of a trial and error period, that I was meant to be here and I will find my place that I belong, just like a puzzle piece.

Now maybe your freshman year won’t be as rocky as mine, maybe it will even be perfect but if you go in expecting the whole world your hopes will be crushed. So, buckle up, freshman, It's going to be a long ride.

P.S. If you are experiencing a difficult time make sure you reach out whether it is friends or an advisor there are people that are willing to help!

XOXO,

Loren Mae

Till Next Time!