It’s hard to believe but my freshman year of college is now officially over. As the past few weeks were winding down, I kept asking myself where all the time went. Like seriously, weren’t we just moving in the 90-degree weather?
But, as cliche as it sounds, freshman year was just like everyone said it would be. I learned a lot about myself and wouldn't trade my experiences for anything.
So here’s 15 things I gained from my freshman year of college. And no, weight was not one of them.
1. Friends. Simply put, I’ve met some of the best people ever this past year. People just like me and others who couldn't be more different. I’ll never forget Floor 13!
2. Life experience. From mastering the subway system to the moment when I realized I finally understood NYC’s grid system, I definitely adapted well to the city. And it taught me lessons that I'll always carry with me.
3. Addiction to Whole Foods. Just a short walk from my dorm is my new found oasis. My sanctuary. My mecca. Having a Whole Foods just around the corner will be the hardest thing to say goodbye to.
4. Work experience. My internship this spring exposed me to the corporate world and I think my phone voice is pretty top notch now.
5. An appreciation of my own bathroom. Ah, communal bathrooms. Not as bad as everyone makes them seem, but easily something I know I will not miss.
6. Independence. I am totally an adult now because I do my own laundry and grocery shopping, right? But in all seriousness, I loved getting to explore NYC on my solo missions.
7. An obsession with food. Going hand in hand with Whole Foods, I became even more obsessed with food this year. I mean, how could I not with vegan sushi and doughnuts available whenever I wanted. *Stefon voice* This place was everything.
8. Money skills. Despite my endless desire to just eat out 24/7, I resisted the urge and definitely managed my money well.
9. Knowledge. Despite what my social media might suggest, I did actually attend class, and I guess I learned a few things here and there.
10. A messed up sleep schedule. Okay, I’ll give myself some credit here. For the most part, I got a lot of sleep. But some nights, I’d be up til 2am going to overpriced diners and watching Wes Anderson movies, while other nights I'd go to bed at 7pm.
11. Head lice. Only, like, four people know this, but a few weeks into the school year, I discovered I had head lice. I have no idea how I got it. (Maybe it was trying on hats while thrift shopping or something to do with my dorm room??) But anyway, while it was beyond traumatizing at the time, I laugh every time I think about it now.
12. A deeper love of writing. I started a blog and wrote for multiple online platforms and the school paper, in addition to the 3 journals I keep. I loved going to the park to chronicle my life at the moment. I’d like to think 30 years from now I’ll get a kick out of reading what I wrote as an 18 year old. I blame Patti Smith.
13. A strange desire to try street food
Although I never have or will, something about the smell of Nuts 4 Nuts and those Halal trucks gets me feeling some type of way. I cannot lie.
14. A greater appreciation for my family and friends back home. It was a weird transition to no longer be on the same page as everyone back home. Technology can only do so much, so going home or having people visit me was always great.
15. Uncertainty. A classic college conundrum: What do I want to do with my life? Can someone help because there’s about 74 career paths I’d be interested in going down? So far, it seems like I only know what I don’t want to do.
Well, anyway, sorry for being a tad cheesy and sentimental, but I felt it was necessary. My first year was great! Here’s to 3 more (hopefully) great ones to come!
