To the school I never chose,
Going to a school where you had no idea it existed, I was reluctant to be happy. I didn’t get the chance to fall in love with a school, apply for admission, accept the admission and to attend next fall. When your options are so limited it was no wonder I had little to no anticipation of starting college last fall. To my expectations, I was not impressed.
Most days became a frequent habit of convincing myself to go to class. As a commuter this was a tedious process. Seeing as I am thirty to forty-five minutes away, I did not have too much time to debate whether or not to attend class. My days started two or three hours before I even had class. This gave me enough time to quite literally get to the school.
As tedious as last year was, I was looking forward to the new school year. Luckily, I was placed with amazing suitemates and in a great building. Yes, the classes are immensely difficult and have one hundred page readings every other night. But, my school feels different.
It feels different because of the perspective. No, I did not choose this school, but I was given a gracious opportunity to study at a university. If you were to ask me senior year where I would be the next fall I would probably answer by saying that I would live at home most likely working. However, I am not. And there are so many people that do not have the opportunity to study at all.
When you put that into perspective, your outlook changes. I was guilty of overlooking my opportunities and blessings. Because I was not going to a large and known university I was deemed to be unimportant. That if I did not go to the popular school I would not have this “great college experience” everyone is talking about.
I didn’t choose my school I was given this school as my only option. But that statement is extremely false. My other option was eliminating my education as a whole. Reducing the chance to meet new people. To be involved in a community. Sure, I wish I could have gotten the university I fell in love with, but I do not think I would have the same experience as I do now. My university is small, private and completely different than I could have ever imagined. I met some of the greatest people, and I do not doubt that will end. The best part? It has only been three weeks.
So I guess you could say that not getting what I wanted is honestly the best thing that could have happened.
