When I was ready to graduate high school, I always heard the most amazing things about college: how it is supposedly the best time of your life, how awesome the parties are, and how easy it is to be part of the freshmen 15. Freshmen year is supposed to be the year where you let loose and have fun. Join a sorority/fraternity, meet tons of people and go to tons of parties. I remember being stoked about being in college and how much more freedom I was about to have.

Fast forward to the present, I have been to two college parties my entire college career. In high school, I was very social. I had a lot more friends to hang out with and once I entered college, my friend group got smaller. I started to think maybe I was boring, but then I realized that I was growing up, just at a faster rate than most. Just because I don’t go out, doesn’t necessarily mean I’m missing out.

College is all about finding yourself and growing as an individual. Some people need to do that through the social aspect; joining a frat or a sorority, going to parties, or joining clubs and activities on campus, and that’s totally okay! Others, like me, didn’t necessarily need that. I prefer being around a few people rather than a large crowd. In my spare time, I enjoy working, getting my exercise in and getting my homework done. Then, of course, I will go out some weekends - but it was not a necessity for me.

My biggest advice to an incoming freshman would be that you don’t need to come into college under the impression that you have to impress certain people or go to every party you’re invited to. If you would rather stay home, cuddled up reading a book, that’s awesome! If you’d rather be at a party, that’s awesome too! We all have our own view of what “fun” is. You don’t have to gain new experiences by interacting in the social scene; there are tons of other ways to achieve that.

Now that I am a senior, my priorities have completely changed. I have a plan for the future and it’s a work in progress. I know a lot more than I did and my life is moving rapidly. I know life is short, but I don’t want to spend it partying. I love spending quality time with my friends and family. I’m ready to graduate, travel the world and gain new experiences.

I don’t regret my college experience at all. I have met some amazing people and got the chance to experience many amazing opportunities that might not have happened if I went out of state for college or made different decisions. I am content with the laid back person that I am. Don’t do something to fit in. Do it for you!