As my very first semester of college is almost officially over, I decided to take the time to reflect on what I have learned and how I have grown and changed these past four months.
Academically I believe that I have learned more this semester than I did in my four years of high school. Now this is probably not true, but I appreciate it more. Something about paying hundreds of dollars for each class makes you want to pay attention more and it's helpful that you can pick your classes and the time of day they are. I have noticed that I unknowingly am applying the things that I learn in every class to things in my everyday life. I value my education much more now and am being far more responsible with how I interpret and utilize the information.
Personally I have grown immensely. I have learned how to live in a room with 2 other girls and I have learned to do so peacefully. I have learned how to live with over 100 other 18-19 year old kids just a few feet away from me. I have met people from all around the country, the world, and even from right here in New England that I would have never had the chance to meet if I was not in college. I have gained so much independence in such a short amount of time and had to learn time management skills and self reliance very quickly. There is no one here to buy my groceries or tell me to do my homework, go to class, eat dinner, go to bed, or do my laundry. It's all on me. So even though I only buy the necessities (almond milk and Honey Bunches of Oats) every five weeks, and stay up way to late, I'm trying and I'm getting better at being an "adult," little by little.
I have learned not to take family for granted. You never realize how much you take your family and home cooked meals for granted until you're sitting in a freezing cold dorm room dreading the walk to the dining hall in the cold rain, just wishing you could tell your mom about your day at the dinner table. It's hard to go weeks and sometimes even months without seeing your family and being in your own room, but that's part of growing up.
There's something so strange that I can't even explain it about looking at your childhood friends' social media and seeing them post pictures with people that you have never met before. It's easy to forget that as you're making new friends and having new experiences, they are, too. Everyone else around you is also growing up and things are changing. The one thing that your guidance counselor can't prepare you for about the transition to college is what it's like to leave your best friends. It's incredibly difficult to go months without seeing the people that only a few months ago you saw everyday. But it makes you appreciate the holidays and breaks all the more. Growing up means that you need to work to keep your old relationships in tact, and I have realized that it's doable, but only if you want to.
College so far has been an absolute amazing experience. I am so excited to have semester one in the books and to go home for Christmas break and see my family and friends, but I also am excited to come back in January and see what opportunities and experiences are waiting for me in the spring semester.
