Like millions of young adults across the nation, I recently began a new chapter in my life titled "College," and, oh boy, is it a wild one. I feel like it is an experience too complex for words, too deep to cover in a short article.
It is the type of experience that can only be explained in "Friends" .GIFs.
1. The One Where I Am Excited to Leave Home
Pre-packing up my entire life, of course.
2. The One Where I Say Goodbye
Accurate representation of the drive to college, post-goodbyes to all my relatives and fur babies.
3. The One Where Mom & Dad Leave Me All Alone
Still in denial about that - how could they forget me here?!
4. The One Where I Reunite with All My Orientation Besties
Bless familiar faces!
5. The One Where I Awkwardly Try to Meet New People
I thought everyone was supposed to be awkward? Why does it seem like I'm the only awkward one?!
6. The One Where I Go to My First Day of Class
And listened to all the endless suffering of my future... how are we supposed to make time for all these assignments?
7. The One Where the Microwave Wins
Yep... that first unhealthy meal because homework has officially taken over my life.
8. The One Where I Stop Caring What People Think of Me
Despite what I had initially heard about college, when you are surrounded by hundreds of freshmen who still think this is high school, I quickly learned it is not a 100% judgment free zone.
9. The One Where I Say Something Smart
Apparently, participation is mandatory in most college classes... how fun!
10. The One Where They Run Down the Halls
My floor is actually pretty quiet, but after about three weeks it's apparently time for a relay race every night??? Like what is going on out there? I can't focus on my homework/Netflix/sleep, thank you very much!
11. The One Where the Peephole is the Place To Be
If they're going to run down the halls, I might as well get a good laugh about it! The best part is when they hide around the corner from each other... major yikes!
12. The One Where I Go Home
Labor Day weekend... time to eat some food that wasn't cooked in the microwave!
13. The One Where Everyone Wants to Know How It's Going
Totally fine. I think...
14. The One Where I Go Back
One week back and this is already relevant. PSA: If your college is practically on a nature preserve, kids, don't touch the wildlife. Just don't...
15. The One Where the Stress Kicks In
I can handle all this homework, I can handle all this homework, I can — who am I kidding? Let me grab my ice cream and go cry for a quick second.
16. The One Where I Learn to Drive with College Students
Seriously, how did you get into college if you can't read the one-way sign in the parking garage?!
17. The One Where I Have the Time of My Life
Because despite it all, once you have friends by your side, this chapter becomes the best chapter of your life.
man running in forestPhoto by 
