Escaping high school and entering the vast and interesting world of college is one of the happiest moments in a college student's life. All of the parties and fun that we witnessed in the movies that we watched finally come to life as we start our highly anticipated freshman year. I expected so much from college during my freshman year. I moved into my dorm early, eager to escape my small Iowa town. I could not wait to make some of my closest friends as I started this new experience.
What no one told me is how difficult it would be to make friends. There are some people who immediately click with new friends freshman year, but that didn't happen for me. I spent the majority of the year in my dorm room. I was sad all of the time and often questioned whether I was good enough for friends. Netflix was my only solace as I fretted over whether or not I was likable.
Unfortunately, I'm not the only one who has experienced extreme loneliness in my freshman year of college. This is for those who spend their Saturday nights wishing that they were anywhere but their dorm. Know that you will be okay and that you will eventually find your place. You're not the only one.
Freshman year, although considered to be the "best year of college," is nothing when you think about the years ahead. Sophomore year is full of opportunities. You aren't the clumsy freshman who cannot find their way around campus. You know where everything is and you know what you like. If you haven't decided on a major, you're close to discovering it. In sophomore year, you'll find what you love. I took my first journalism class this year as a sophomore and now I'm sitting in my apartment while I write for the Odyssey. You will find your calling and through common interests come people who have the same interests as you.
Next comes junior year. Once you finally get to junior year, you'll be halfway through college. You're going to be so antsy and excited about how far you've come that you won't even think about the gloomy nights in your crappy dorm room. That's not to mention that most students turn 21 during their junior year. Raise the roof!
Finally, after three years pass, you'll be a senior in college. You'll be in your early 20's and thinking about graduation and what follows. You'll be leaving your school to pursue your aspirations.
Yeah, freshman year is supposed to be full of wild nights out and meeting new people, but you have three more years for that. You have three more years to figure out your dream career. Once you truly decide to believe in college and find what you want to do with your life, friends will follow.
I'm not saying that college will be easy and I'm certainly not saying that your situation doesn't suck. Trust me, I've been there. Next time when you're shoving spoonfuls of Ben & Jerry's in your mouth and crying because "you have no life," think about the life that you have to look forward to.
