Staying up until 2:00 a.m. and sleeping in until noon has been the epitome of my freshman year of college. Late classes mean late nights, whether studying or going out with friends. I’ve learned to shut my blinds completely to make my room into a cave, where I can burrow into my twin-sized dorm bed and avoid early morning birds and leaf blowers.
Never had I thought a dorm room could feel like “home.” But over the past year, it truly has been. I made this place my sanctuary. Fuzzy blankets and pictures of my loved ones have been my comfort throughout this roller coaster. This has probably been one of the most emotionally draining years of my life, but I don’t regret a second of it.
It seems as if my whole life has led up to this year. To guide me to a place, only to show me I’m in the wrong one. When I realized I wanted to transfer, becoming weak and giving up seemed like the only possible solution at the time. Packing my bags and going back home to my cats and comfy bed was what I craved.
Little did I know, though, that sticking it out for the rest of the year would lead to some of the most amazing experiences and people I’ve ever met. Being a part of a sorority has blessed me with incredible friends. These are people who make me laugh and who share my same ambitions. They are beautiful women who I spend days and crazy nights with, making memories I’ll cherish for a lifetime.
Leaving these people in a week will possibly be one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. What I’ve come to figure out, though, is that your Freshman year is also about finding yourself. It is a time where you figure out who you want to be. Switching my major and starting a new life in Portland this coming year is exactly the change I need.
Although starting in a new place with new people again scares me, the way my heart feels when I’m in the city is just right. When I picture my future, I picture it in the heart of downtown. I think this realization has made me become comfortable with doing things solely for myself. Throughout this year, I have become confident in being able to make decisions based on my own feelings.
The most comforting feeling of all is knowing each amazing person I met this year will forever be a part of my life no matter how far away I am. Living in new places and making thoughtful connections has been a great experience. I have made some of the most amazing memories here but am excited for what the future holds.
My Freshman year of college has been a difficult one, yet one I’ll never forget. I experienced cries of frustration and not knowing what I truly wanted, which thankfully, led to realizing exactly who and where I wanted to be. Here’s to the unforgettable parties and friends, but most importantly, a new beginning.
