At the end of every semester, I like to reflect on what I learned and just let it settle in. This time I thought I might share all of that with you. Often when I do this SpongeBob comes to mind. “What I learned in boating school is..” This will kind of be like that, “What I learned in college this semester is…”
Each semester is different and comes with different challenges. My first semester here, Fall 2015, was challenging because I was a Transfer Student trying to just get by in classes. Spring 2016 was challenging because I was still getting used to everything and trying to get more involved but also trying to keep a long distance relationship going. And sometimes life has a funny way of creating just the right amount of stress to make you stronger. So, that semester ended in a mess of one hit after another, but I made it through.
Summer was my healing period, and I learned a lot about myself. Summer tends to be a good resting period, and I have always enjoyed that. Going into this fall semester, I was really nervous. I had no idea what to expect and with still little connections made I had no idea who I could lean on. That quickly changed.
I went through fall recruitment were I met so many amazing girls and ultimately found my home. Alpha Omicron Pi has been a wonderful blessing, and I can’t thank my sisters enough for the support I have gotten from them.
I also am a Transfer Student Mentor as of the summer, and through that I have found many connections with the other mentors as well as other Transfer students. My fellow mentors have honestly become some of my closest friends at school and I will miss them greatly during winter break.
There are various connections I have made as well with Housing staff and my class mates both in my major and outside of my major. The LGBT Center on campus as well has brought great support and wonderful friends. My point is that even when you feel like you have hit your lowest point there is always people there for you, even some people that you never would have guessed would be there. It is okay to confide in people and to let people help you heal and pick you up from the ground. It is okay to recognize that you need help, even when you feel like “it isn’t that bad.”
It is important to know that you are not alone, and that there are so many people out there that care about you and that are willing to help keep fighting. So many people that are willing to stand by you no matter what. The phrase that has gotten me through this semester was “Never Give Up.” Whether it was my mental health, my course work, my internship, my job, my friendships or anything, I would just remember to never give up. It is okay to falter but never give up.
I will admit, this went in a different direction than I planned but the message is still important. It is something I learned the hard way this semester, and that is okay. Reach out to anyone, I’ll offer myself as a resource for you, but just never give up. This semester has taught me the importance of self-care and I hope to pass that on to other people.
On a final note, congrats to all college students for doing their best. Congrats to those who graduated. And congrats to those who got accepted into college for next semester. You got this.
