I remember last year, as a high school senior, reading all the articles about college. While some of them were accurate, the majority of them make college out to be this fantasy where you get to be social all the time and magically make great grades. From recruitment week to study tips to what to wear in the Grove, I read plenty, and I though I knew all there was to know about college. The difference between me last year, and me this year is that now I've lived it. So let me share with you what you don't know about college, but you need to know:
1. College Is Hard
I get it. You are tired of hearing this from your high school teachers and your parents, but take it from me, college is not just hard - it's really hard. For once in your life you are making all your own decisions, you have to handle things by yourself (yes even make your own doctors appointments), and half of the time honestly you are just winging it. There are days where you are doggy-paddling in a sea of schoolwork and days where you can't motivate yourself to do anything except lay in your twin size dorm bed and eat a pint of Ben & Jerry's from the C-store. It happens.
2. The "Freshman 15" is real.
Maybe only 5 or 10, but maybe 20 or 25 - hey it happens. I was insistent that I would never be the one to gain weight my freshman year. Guess what people? It happens. I'm just being real with you: once your schoolwork piles up, that gym plan goes out the window. And once you fail that first Chemistry test, you're gonna stress eat. The good news is that you'll learn from your terrible habits, and you can lose your weight at home over the forever long Christmas break :-) I promise you won't be alone, and you are your pals can bond over your tight jeans and past rocking high school bods.
3. You Will Question
Not only will you question who you are at some point, but you will eventually question what you believe. Don't let this scare you - it means you are growing. You will have to figure out what you believe for yourself, and there are plenty of resources to help you do that. You will meet people like you have never met before. You will have experiences you never would have imagined. Let these people and opportunities change you. Ask the difficult questions, because this is when you will begin to sprout.
4. You Will Cry
It might not be on move in day. It might not be when you bomb your first test. Or if you're like me, it might not even be first semester at all. But trust me, it will come - it is different for us all. Some of my friends have multiple meltdowns throughout the week - there's no shame in it! Believe me, we have all had our days, it gets to the point in the school year that no one even thinks anything about it when they see someone leaving Coulter Hall (or wherever) crying.
5. You Will Fall in Love
No, I'm not talking about a significant other (but hey some of you might find that kind of love too). I am talking about literally everything else besides a girl/boyfriend. Every day, I fall more in love with the campus, Oxford, and people. Somedays, I just ride around Oxford and take in my little city. There is something about Oxford that just warms my heart, and sometimes it still feels surreal to me that I am a student at Ole Miss. When the sun shines over the Lyceum, and the tulips are in full bloom, all I can think is "God, how did I get so lucky?" Speaking of feeling lucky. You are going to make the best friends you could ever ask for. Like the type of friends that make you wonder "how did I make it 18 years without you?" College friendships are like no other and your new besties are going to show you love in a whole new light.
6. You Don't Need a Ton of Clothes
I brought 3/4 of my closet home for Easter, and I realized that most of those clothes in my car I had never even worn this year. You are going to wear the same t-shirts and Nikes to class, and in the winter, your fave pullover is going to be your best friend. With that being said, I thought I was going to come to class looking all hip, and in reality I wear the same 20 shirts week in and week out. Do yourself a favor, and don't bring your whole wardrobe to college. You'll need several outfits for going out, but trust me you probably won't end up going out nearly as much as you anticipate.
7. You Can Decorate Your Own Dorm
Schools in the south, but especially Ole Miss, are known for students getting interior designers to help with their dorm rooms. I'm telling you right now - no one really cares what your dorm room looks like. I don't mean that in a mean way, I am all about having a cute room, but go ahead and save yourself all that money and just do it yourself. It's a room that most people never even see, and it usually ends up becoming super messy anyways, so just keep it simple. The hype of dorm rooms fades quickly and then you are left thinking "why did I think this mattered so much?"
Freshmen year is honestly the best of times and the worst of times, so get ready for the ride of your life. It's a year no one can fully prepare you for, but it will be wonderful in it's own way.
