Entering college one of my biggest fears was gaining the daunting “Freshman 15.” Every single one of my friends warned me about it, threatening that it will still appear, regardless of whether or not you go to the gym every day. Coming into my second semester of my freshman year, I learned that the Freshman 15 is very real, but not necessarily always having to do with weight.
These are 15 things I have gained so far my freshman year:
1. Friends
Much like everyone else, my biggest fear upon entering my freshman year was whether or not I was going to make any friends. Thankfully, there are so many opportunities to find your place and people on campus. Whether it be choosing to go the Greek life route or joining a club on campus, even just the people who live down the hall from you in your dorm. There is somebody out there for everyone.
2. Memories
Every day in college consists of a new adventure or story. There isn’t a day that goes by that I feel like I didn’t create some form of memory. Whether it be a night hike with friends or fracturing my knee doing the Cotton-Eyed Joe at a frat party (…Sorry mom…) I am ALWAYS doing something that creates a story. Looking back on my first semester, I’m amazed by all of the amazing things I did.
3. A New Major
Much like every other freshman in college, I picked a major I thought I would like. By the third month of school I switched and I am LOVING the change. With that being said, don't be afraid to switch majors and pursue your passion! It makes the four years much more enjoyable.
4. New Goals
Being at such a large university, I am constantly surrounded by people who are doing amazing things. Every single day I aspire to be better than I was the day before.
5. A Job
Like most students, I’m working my way through college in order to pay for my overly priced dorm room. Thankfully, I got hired at a job I absolutely LOVE and sometimes have more fun at work than I do going out on the weekends.
6. Inside Jokes
This one is pretty self-explanatory. Only my roommate understands the weird lisp I pretend to have at 1am.
7. Free T-Shirts
I’m not sure what it is, but every time I see a free t-shirt advertised, I am much more inclined to go to that event. I have at least 15 maroon and gold shirts that I have never worn.
8. Mentors
Whether it be a professor whose office hours I attended every week, or an upperclassmen who took me under their wing (I'm looking at you big) I quickly found a new support system within my university.
9. New Skills
With all the new people you’re meeting every single day you are bound to learn something new. Whether it’s how to longboard to make the class commute shorter or how to knit (the girl next to me in my Tuesday/Thursday lecture is attempting to teach me) you will develop at least one talent.
10. A Higher Tolerance
Take this how you will. Your tolerance level for a lot of things increases tenfold.
11. Different Places to Nap
You will quickly find your favorite place. The library is one of them. Thank you, Hayden Library chairs, for being comfier than my dorm bed when my ENG 105 paper is due.
12. A Distaste for Certain Foods
Eating the same thing every single day gets old. I never thought I would learn to dislike pizza or chicken nuggets, but I’m getting there. I can only handle so much more dining hall pizza before I explode.
13. A Better Resume
If you chose to get involved in college, on any level, it is easy to have your resume look like the blank template to struggling to fit it all on one page. Use this to your advantage.
14. School Spirit
Though you may not be the biggest sports fans, there is nothing quite like sitting in the student section with hundreds of other students. You gain a sense of pride for your school you may not have had in high school.
15. 15 pounds
I’ll admit, I easily gained the weight in not only the year, but the first semester. But thankfully this was not the only thing I gained.
My freshman year has been one that is straight out of the movies. But if there is one thing that I have learned, it is to take every moment as it comes and not worry about the gain. Enjoy it! It only happens once.
