It’s no secret to anyone that knows me, I love USC. From the day I stepped on campus as a scared high school freshman as part of a tour, I fell in love. For years I have tried to put a finger on the feeling that I felt that day, and it comes down to the fact that I just knew. I distinctly remember stepping into McCarthy Quad for the first time and seeing all the people walking around enjoying their day with the sun shining down. Right then, I knew that this is where I had to go to college and where I would build a life for myself.
The day I got into my dream school did not go as I had planned in my head for the years following my first visit. I was admitted to USC for the spring semester. I had always imagined my freshman year to be the first year that I went to football games and stayed in a dorm. While I may not have had the 'cliche' freshman experience, to this day, I am ecstatic to be attending school at the very place I had dreamed about for so long.
Now, you may be thinking that it must have been such a let down when I got here. What can be better than the scenarios you dream up in your head? Well, my experiences and memories have been even better than my expectations. I imagined USC to be a place where I made great friends, went to fun parties, and became a part of something much bigger than myself, which has all happened. What makes USC so much better than I imagined is the unexpected everyday moments like the weekly farmers market or concerts in front of Tommy Trojan. One time, the campus was even covered in snow!
College is an extremely special time where you make new friends, take on new experiences and discover new parts of yourself. It’s not always easy. This is the first time in life that all of your choices are truly up to you. While that can be scary, it is also empowering. I am grateful that college has given me the space to make mistakes and learn from them.
Without the amazing people and opportunities, college would just be a bunch of buildings. I just finished a crazy first year, but I can already tell you that I have made friends that I will have for life. Whether I'm going to invite, date dash, or just a pajama party, I am guaranteed to have a great time with my roommate and best friend! Together we create priceless memories like getting stuck in a ball pit or just going to Yogurtland for fro-yo.
Each day I walk around campus, I am so grateful that I have the opportunity to attend school at such a special place. The people I have met and the opportunities that I have been given have truly changed my life, and my story is only just beginning.
