My freshman year of college has been one of the toughest years of my life. But it's also been one of the best. I still can't believe it's over. I mean, I feel like I graduated high school last week. Somehow, this year has flown by, and I survived it. The whole year was a learning process for everyone, and we've all grown so much.
Freshman year taught me how to be a grown up... Well, kind of.
This was my first time living on my own without my parents around. Needless to say, I had to learn how to do things I've never done before. I had to take care of myself, because no one was there to do it for me.
Freshman year taught me how to study.
Even though I was an AP student in high school, I don't think I ever studied for a test once. I may have thought that I studied, but I didn't really know how. And let me tell you, that strategy does not work in college. After figuring that out, I quickly learned how to study the right way -- and it pays off.
Freshman year taught me that dorms are not as bad as everyone says.
Sure, community bathrooms are not the best, and the rooms are pretty small, but it's not as bad as it seems. All of the horror stories you hear about dorms make them sound like the worst possible way to live, but in reality, they're alright. Living on campus makes everything pretty convenient to get to, which means you can wake up ten minutes before class and still make it.
Freshman year taught me how to be responsible.
That thing they tell you in high school about professors not taking attendance in college is not just a myth. It's true. This makes it even harder to get out of bed and actually go -- trust me. But just because attendance wasn't important in every class, I still made myself go (most of the time), because if I didn't, I would be totally lost.
Freshman year taught me that it's acceptable to wear T-shirts everyday.
Unlike in the real world, we have our own fashion statements in this little college bubble. Everyone understands when I wear T-shirts everyday, and people never question whether I even own real clothes. Because they're all wearing the same thing too. It's pretty great.
Freshman year taught me that making friends is hard.
It's not as easy as it was in high school, when we were all just thrown together and forced to socialize. This is a totally different environment. We have to actually make an effort to meet people. Trust me, it's harder than it seems. But it's so worth it, because you can meet some pretty amazing people.
Freshman year has taught me that Texas Tech is the absolute best school in the world.
There's no doubt about it. Choosing a college is tough, but I have no doubt that I chose the best one. I love it here and I wouldn't trade it for the world. There's just something about this place that's incredible, and I can't wait to spend three more years here.
