This isn't your typical end of freshman year reflection article, this article is so much more. Not only was this year the first time of my life moving out of the house across state lines and going off to have my very first college experience. I've made mistakes, I've learned, I've loved, I've hurt, but this was truly the year that changed me.
This year has been the most emotional, stressful, fun, exhilarating rollercoaster of my entire life. But, that doesn't go without saying that everything that I have endured has really shaped the person I became and always wanted to be. Now reflecting on everything that happened throughout the past 12 months, I have realized that with all the hurt, hardship, stress, and new experiences I had in the last 12 months have really made me a stronger, better person.
Being away at college for past couple months meant living 2 hours away from home. For me, it wasn't hard leaving my family what so ever but, living without the support of your family can be hard. There's now no one looking after to you to make sure you did your homework or make sure you're up and ready to go to class. Living on your own makes you so much more responsible for yourself. Although it was a struggle not having dad cook me dinner or mom washing my clothes, I learned how to do it all on my own. I now know I don't need anyone but me. I finally learned how to do laundry, do homework without my parents bugging me to, and live without my parents. We will always need our parents but it's great knowing I am at the point where I don't need my parents.
One of my biggest fears about moving away to college was 'what if I flunk out?'. I was never the brightest student in high school but I can truly say all my IB classes did help me land an amazing GPA first semester, but now with
I've also discovered what it is like to live with a roommate during the past couple months. I learned what it's like to live in the smallest room I've lived in with another person. My roommate and I became best friends but I soon realized you don't truly know someone until after three or four months. My roommate turned best friend is now a person who I know I will never get along with ever again. I learned that you should never push a friendship or try to keep trying to fix a friendship when all it is is a lost cause. I learned that you don't need a negative person in your life whose friendship is more work than fun. You should never feel like you have to be friends with someone just because you live with them. Living with a roommate you don't talk to and get along with isn't actually that bad. There just comes to a point where you have to accept that maybe you'll never be friends again. However, I'll always think about my freshman year roommate from time to time, and will start to appreciate the memories we made. Maybe not now, but eventually.
Also within the past year, I went through the hardest breakup of my entire life. The most drama-filled break up you could have ever asked for. I was hurt, used, and cheated on over and over. But I can't deny that when that relationship was good it was great, and I can truly say that was the first time I was ever really in love. After being broken up with my ex for a couple months, I have officially moved on. I'm no longer hurting and no longer wishing my ex would just drop dead. I now know, no matter how much you've been hurt, you can still choose to move on, be happy and live your life. So, I did just that
But, I've also experienced the one night stands and random hookups at parties and even the walk of shame. Sometimes, nights like these just happen. I've realized you shouldn't be ashamed of a one night stand or any random hookups because it happens to all of us in college eventually.
I've never been a huge drinker or partier in high school, but that completely changed in college. I had my first experiences going out with all my girlfriends and trying to get the best addresses for the night. I've experienced the gross, super crowded basement parties and also the chill pregames. But, these nights were the best because you were able to meet so new many people and make some really great friends.
Later on my freshman year, I signed a lease with two other girls. It was so cool thinking how adult I was for having my own house for next year and I was excited. I realized as time went on I didn't want to live with these girls anymore, So I went through the whole process of sub leasing and finding a sub leaser. This was a terrible, horrible process but when it is all figured out it is great! I can now say I know more about landlords and leasing than I have ever known. But I cannot wait to have my very first experience living in a house with 3 other roommates.
I truly do believe your freshman year of college really does give you your first glimpse into adult hood and all the stress that comes along with it. I've learned so much about myself this past year than I ever have before. Although freshman year was such a struggle, every memory made with all the new amazing people I met this year will be cherished for a lifetime! When they say 'college are the best years of your life', they truly mean it! I cannot wait to see what the rest of college has in store for me.
