Freshman Year: High School Vs College
Start writing a post
Sports

Freshman Year: High School Vs College

A comparison of my freshman experiences, good and bad.

151
Freshman Year: High School Vs College
Natalie Caswell

Freshman. The butt of many college jokes and a synonym for immaturity. There are two periods in life that also fall under this term — the first year of high school and the first year of college. Both are the beginning of a new chapter, and both contain their own unique forms of pain and pleasure.

As a high school freshman, I was still riding that groove of middle school culture — conform or die a social death (essentially). The Hollister emblem emblazoned on my (hand-me-down) t-shirt, I walked into high school nauseous with nerves and excitement. I was excited to mix with other classes in a way that middle school prevented us from, but kept quiet and didn't want to speak up in any of my classes. I developed some friendships and a (now embarrassing) crush.
By the end of the year, my friend was dating this crush and I was as unhappy with myself as I was in middle school. I had been quieter and tried to fit in with my friends and none of the cool upper-class boys liked me. And I'd had enough. So I chopped 12 inches of my hair off. My long hair, which I had grown in an attempt to become more attractive and fit in more, was annoying, getting stuck one too many times in my armpits in the heat of my un-air-conditioned high school. I had wanted to have my hair chopped off since Emma Watson had rocked a pixie cut while at the time of the last Harry Potter movie but was waiting until I was older, and also had been told boys wouldn't like me if I cut my hair off. In the spring of 2015, I cut it all off and cut off the voices in my head that told me to care what others think (contrary to my mother and some others' belief, the major haircut was not symbolizing me coming out).

The growth (of self not hair) and development helped me become the person I am today. I developed friendships on my cross country and track teams that would last years to come and I believe will last a lifetime, and enjoyed high school classes much more than middle school classes.

Now as the spring semester comes to a close, I find myself reflecting on what I have learned and the importance of my college freshman year. I have not had four years of distance that will allow me to understand the long term effects of this year like I did my high school experience, but I can still ruminate. I still have the short hair, I'm gonna rock that style for a long time. While high school gives you slightly more independence than middle school did, of course, this independence skyrockets as a college kid, out in the college world on your own. I went into college excited and confident, and it met my expectations … kind of. The classes were different than I expected; I often found myself bored and frustrated, but also learned new things I never expected and will carry throughout the rest of my life. I developed new friendships that went through emotional ups and downs I had not experienced before. I lost my lanyard (RIP the $250 it cost to replace its contents) in autumn.

While not experiencing the same self-transformation as my freshman high school year, I have learned many lessons, social and academic, about myself and the world around me thanks to the experiences I've had at university. I look at my past self with compassion, and hope that my future self will do the same.

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.

54736
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?

35219
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.

957433
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.

183859
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