I can't believe my first year of college has been over for a while. I wanted to look back and reflect on some of the stupid stuff that I have done during my first year of college in hopes that my tale might help the incoming freshmen.

I got stuck in a trash can once. You might be thinking, "How do you get stuck in a trash can?" Well, the ones near my dorm were those industrial dumpsters and were shared between three dorms around us. They are pretty big, and me being five feet tall, I can easily get stuck in one. It all began when I decided be a good roommate by taking out the trash, because I didn't want to leave my side of the room looking messy. I was just planning on walking outside and quickly throwing out the trash, but since I was living in a dorm I had to carry my ID card with me at all times in order to get back in the building. I stood in front of the dumpster and picked up my trash bag to put it in the trash when I started to think, "Oh, it would be really bad if my ID card fell in." And as soon as that thought went into my head, my ID card flew in along with the trash. I couldn't believe that it happened; it was like an evil premonition coming true. I had just paid for this new ID because, ironically, I lost my first ID in a trash can in the dining hall. My only thought was that I had to retrieve this one. I looked around, hoping to see if there would be anyone that would be willing to help me. When I turned around, it was like a dead zone, because weekends are usually pretty quiet on campus. With no other option, I decided to suck it up and try to get on top of the dumpster. I managed to get myself balanced on the side of the dumpster. I need to remind you that I am very short, so I was leaning on the opening when I began to reach in and I felt myself losing my balance. I didn't fall in completely, but was somehow closer to falling in than getting out. It was probably really funny for any onlooker to see two little legs wiggling out of a dumpster. I kept leaning back and forth on the opening, determined to get my card out, but the metal dumpster was digging into my thighs the more I reached in to get the ID card. There must have been someone looking out for me, because I finally got my card, but I now had to figure a way to get out without completely falling into the dumpster. Within seconds of thinking that, I lost control of my balance and began to struggle. With all my might, I tried to swing upward to get out when I hit my head hard on the dumpster. I honestly don't remember how I got out. All I know is that I had a bump on my head and bruises across my thighs for three weeks.

Another time I accidentally went to class when there was a tornado. I initially made the mistake of taking 8 a.m. classes every day my first semester, so maybe that was why I was so dazed and confused. I woke up at 6:50, noticing it was raining pretty hard, but I told myself, "Hey, you gotta get to class. And maybe if you leave now it won't be as bad as later." I got up, didn't say anything to my roommate and just prepared to go out in the rain. I put on rain boots, raincoat and got my large umbrella. I lived at the bottom of a hill at my school, and my class was in the middle of campus. I had some way to walk, and it was all uphill, and the rain would be flowing down the hill. I was determined to make it to my class. It was raining hard, but I didn't care, because the only thing on my mind was making it to Intro to Psychology. I thought it was a bit weird that no one was on campus, but I told myself that maybe it was too early or kids might have been skipping their classes because of the rain. I finally made it to the building. I was wet, but I didn't care, because attendance was mandatory in this class. I was pretty proud of myself. I was just sitting outside the class and some time passed, and only five other people showed up. I was about to walk downstairs to get some food when this old janitor came out of nowhere. I think he was rather shocked to see me, and he began to tell me I "needed to take shelter" because there was a tornado in San Marcos. The way he appeared reminded me of those teen horror movies. I tried to stay calm and ran downstairs to a computer area that had no windows. Several other students had gathered there. The adrenaline started to kick in, and I looked around at my surroundings and the other people. I started noticing that there are several ethnicities represented, and that it was about evenly spread out between girls and boys. Then I started imagining what would be said on the news; we looked like a tragedy about to happen, and I wasn't having it. I started to think of what I would say to my friends or if I'd even get that chance again. After some time, we were able to leave, even though the weather was crazy. I ran down the hill, slipping and sliding and getting soaked. Roads were closed, and there was flooding everywhere. My roommate and I left the city before the dorms were evacuated. I now know how important it is to listen to the news or at least look at the weather forecast.

Not all of the things that happened during my freshman year were that serious. I decided one day that I would skip my Intro to Fine Arts class, and I thought since I didn't miss any classes, it wouldn't be a big deal. I just wanted some free time. I was strolling by the dining hall acting like "Dang, look at me. I'm a real college student!" I decided to go get a smoothie, and as I was walking up the stairs, I saw a figure that vaguely looked like my Intro to Fine Arts teacher. I pushed the thought out of my head, thinking I was a paranoid freak. As I went up a few more stairs, I started to realize it was him. I didn't know what to do or think. I passed him and thought that I was in the clear, but then I heard, "Hey, aren't you in my Intro to Fine Arts class?" I turned around to see my teacher, and I didn't even know what came over me but all I could say was "no." I was paralyzed. I felt like a deer in the headlights! He looked as confused as I felt. After I said it, I couldn't believe it. Then he looked at me and made this face.

He then said, "Are you sure you're not in my class?" And again, without thinking, my stupid self said "no." He then said sorry and turned around. I don't know why, but I was thinking to deny anything he said; I didn't want to get caught. It didn't dawn on me until later that he wasn't in class, which meant the class was cancelled. The next class, he gave me a look. I tried not to make eye contact and never wore the clothes I had on that day. Luckily, he realized that I'm young and naive.

I can laugh about all of these now. Tell me some humorous moments from your college days!