As the semester comes to a close, I remember a lot of things. First, I remember walking onto campus for the first time. I was bewildered. I had been there all summer, but I had never seen so many people in one place in my entire life. I come from a very small town with a very small school where everyone knows everyone. I got off to a rocky start, but I eventually found my place. Once I found it, I learned that I love this school. I can't believe that my freshman year is this close to being over. While I am excited to move on, there are many things I will miss about being a freshman.
Time flies. I didn't realize it until I looked up and August flew straight into December and here we are now in April. I took time for granted. This school has taught me a lot of things. Not just involving school (obviously).
I learned that not everyone you meet is your best friend. I lost friends and made new ones and rekindled old friendships. You learn that while you may be looking out for everyone, not everyone is looking out for you, and that's okay. You just have to find the people who mean the same to you as you do to them. College is a big place and it still fascinates me that I haven't met half the people I will meet.
I was so excited to become a member of a sorority, any sorority, when I rushed this past January. Joining Chi Omega was one of the greatest decisions I have made, and I'm not just saying that to be a supporter of Greek life (or my sorority, even though it is incredibly important to me). But Chi Omega gave me new friends and a lot of things to do with my new friends. I learned all about the wonderful philanthropy that we support, "Make-A-Wish," and I am incredibly proud to be a part of that.
Freshman year was a huge learning lesson from me. Coming from a little town is a huge adjustment, especially when there are 25,000 more kids on your campus than there are in your town. It isn't anything like high school was: class was mandatory and so was turning in your homework. College is different; you don't have to do any of that.
Apartment hunting was also an adventure. wWhile moving out of my dorm means growing up (something I'm not sure I'm ready to do), it is very exciting. I know it will be bittersweet to move though because it means that freshman year is over and I only have three years left at this amazing school.
There were a lot of things that were different about my freshman year. I went from having my parents telling me what to do to having no one (really) tell me what to do. I got my first tattoo, I pulled all nighters, and I went out and had fun with my friends. Not really having any type of curfew, I slept in as late as I wanted and stayed up as late as I wanted.
Luckily for me, I live close to home, which was really helpful because I am a homebody and my family means everything to me. Still, even halfway through second semester I go home and see my parents and my siblings quite frequently. I wasn't, and never will be, prepared to give up family time. Family is important.
But a side note to my 18-year-old self who came to this school in July: you've done great, you've grown up, and you've made progress. Of course you have (and will) make mistakes, but you have overall done great.
College forces you to grow up, and I was surprised how much I did.
