Freshman year of college is definitely one for the books. I have learned many important lessons, oftentimes through many undesirable experiences (such as puking from over-drinking). I have learned that it is important to uphold my own responsibilities and maintain my health. As per usual, I didn’t get enough sleep or exercise, and frequently ate foods that my body didn’t need. I didn’t need that order of cheese fries immediately after my workout.

Entering Freshman year, I didn’t realize the huge amount of freedom and independence I was entering. I was free to do what I wanted without being told what to do or being watched over. It was a huge shift from growing up with a family that didn’t allow for much privacy. In high school, I was lucky enough to come home to home-cooked meals and checked up on with questions like “did you do your homework”. In college, no one holds your hand to make sure you don’t ditch class or to make sure you’re doing homework with an A-plus mindset. To be honest, there were a few times I wasn’t even completely sober when doing homework, which is typical of a college freshman. I still managed to get good grades on my work, even though I was rushing through it to be able to go to a bar at 11 p.m., or while sipping on a glass of fireball and coke. I even slept over at different friends houses on most school nights, just so I could have my sleep traded with time for socializing. I do not regret these nights as I have rarely felt lonely throughout the year.

I have made my fair share of poor choices, which ultimately led me to learn from them and not repeating them (at least not as often). I would wake up (hungover) on weekend mornings and go to the student center to order cheese fries, diet coke, and sushi. It is the grossest combination of foods, but it did the trick at getting the night before out of my system. Drinking had always been looked down upon before my freshman year of college. When I got to college, I started going out and drinking every night. This was typical and not problematic until my grades started to decline. When they started to decline in the winter, I ended up choosing to stay away from the party life until I could get my bearings again. When I was able to do so, I was able to balance my school work and social life equally as important, as I could see why putting too much emphasis on either one was detrimental. Luckily, I have had a supportive group of sisters that I could always count on.

My sorority is one of the many things that have taken up a large chunk of time my Freshman year. Without my sorority, I wouldn’t be as happy or healthy as I am. It created a network of sisters that I can open up to and genuinely enjoy spending time with. Without my sorority, I don’t know where I would be. Without those long nights of studying together, going out together, and weekly chapter. My weekly Sunday chapter has always felt like a family dinner where we can share stories, and our joys and sorrows. I am so incredibly proud to wear my respected letters and to call myself a part of it.

Drinking has been a tremendously large part of my freshman year. I was known as the girl that could outdrink nearly every frat boy and definitely most of my friends. I am not going to lie and say I haven’t gone overboard one too many times. In fact, that has happened a lot, more so earlier in the year. I didn’t set many limits on myself which is something I have finally learned my spring quarter. I was known by my friend’s friends at another school in the city as the girl that could drink to no end. I felt a ping of pride as I have worked hard to manage my drinking in a successful way while still being smart about it. It is not a good look to go overboard or to be the girl that ALWAYS goes home with a guy. Instead, I enjoyed focusing on spending time with my sisters and not worrying about the cute boys blowing up my phone.

Ultimately, the major lesson I’ve learned from my freshman year is to respect myself. Respect is something that I never really understood until I got to college and had to stand on my own two feet. I had to be brave enough to say that I am the one in charge of my life and it is okay to do what makes me happy. Growing up, I was in a household full of fighting. I was often exhausted and didn’t depend too much on my own energy when everyone else in my family was mad about something. Going to college allowed me to get away from the toxicity that I grew up in, and allowed me to recognize what is truly important in life. To me, what is important is continuing to build myself up for my future while being happy and socializing with healthy people. At first, I didn’t understand my value. I didn’t care about what I had to offer or what others had to offer. All I cared about was the fleeting moment of bliss, which was often found through drinking. Over time, I have been able to see the qualities in people that truly matter and therefore I have learned to value them for the beauty the behold.