Perhaps I am not wholly myself just yet, but as this academic year comes to a close, I cannot help but feel awestruck by how formative these past few months have been on my character, courage and endurance. My freshman year of college was, by far, the formidable year of my life. As it wanes, though, I am reminded that there are a myriad of adjustments, relationships and changes that I would not have otherwise had had I not been immersed in this process. I was fortunate enough to have an unconventional experience that required me to delve into a slew of opportunities. Shrouding myself into my single-person dorm and opting to sleep-in were always options, but instead, I made sure to advantageously peruse New York City for its hole-in-the-walls, admission-free events and good eats. I can't replace the unique memories of aimlessly floating about the East Village nor can I imagine allowing any other group of friends to see me at my best and worst times.
You're obviously in college to acquire knowledge from renowned researchers, professors and scholars. Maybe you won't be the top of your class at your 20,000-person student body, but that doesn't have to deter you from gleaning vital life lessons from the encounters and mistakes you will surely make. I can wholeheartedly say that some of my greatest errors have led me to rather important realizations. Even if what I've learned is as trivial as not buying enough groceries to take up three bags at Trader Joe's, simply because I'm not physically capable as of yet of taking on that weight.
It can definitely be daunting to be surrounded by a new set of people when journeying from class to class, but it is worthwhile to strike up conversation when appropriate to make sure you're not always fending for yourself. When you're stuck between writing a standard double-spaced six-page paper and going above and beyond to write a double-spaced 12-page paper for your political science class, you want to have the option to shoot a friend a message to ensure that it's not the latter one. Besides, being invited to get free donuts at DOUGH by someone you kindly said hi to in the game room is also a plus.
As tough as studying can become at times, find some time to surround yourself with people who bring you happiness. If you've been jamming terms into your head for a total of six hours, give yourself that well deserve 30-minute break of laughing at memes with friends. I have derived some of my happiest moments from stressful situations by simply lounging around cracking jokes. We all want As, but you can't achieve them unless you maintain a healthy balance mentally, socially and physically. Remember to ingest food... There are plenty of days when I find myself far too busy to even manage to an adequate lunch, but if I can, I'll drop a sandwich bag filled with granola in my backpack for happy snacking. Maybe there isn't always time to have a three-course meal, but remember that you can't function on solely Easy Mac and pizza bites forever.
Your campus, wherever that may be, has a ton of undiscovered amenities just waiting to be discovered by you. If you haven't visited your school's gym or art department, see what it has to offer you. And if you have the privilege of living amidst a great city, vow to expand your interests and test out what it has gifted to you. Yeah, yeah, yeah: pain is temporary, but GPA is forever. Both parts are, for the most part, true. Do not forget to carefully and meticulously schedule fun time, work time and me time. Be sure to understand that binge watching an entire season of "Grey's Anatomy" will not push you any further in your studies. It may, perhaps, make you feel as if you've emotionally invested yourself in the lives of people you do not know. Find time to study with little distractions and know that not every party is worth going to. Your 10-page paper will still exist after you've spent hours playing League of Legends.
When people tell you that you can be what you ought to be, they're speaking the truth. Imagine greater possibilities for yourself and set your sights on allowing that path to unfold before you. Challenge yourself in more ways than one and gain some insight as to who you are becoming on this road to discovering selfhood. There is so much more to come.
I am so incredibly blessed to have had this year impact me in that way that it did. To many more years of exploring, imagining and learning!
