To be honest, moving to college has probably been the scariest moment of my life thus far -- and that's an understatement. 

I am from California and knew no one in Texas when I first moved here. I mean, I threw up right before leaving my house for the airport--that’s how nervous I was. So, just like every other overly-neurotic teenager, I did my research about the mystical land that people call “college.”

I wanted to actually see what would happen in college, so I did what every serious researcher does:  I went on YouTube. That is where I stumbled upon this Youtube channel, YofrayFilms. YofrayFilms is a popular college account that produces a series of “I’m Shmacked” videos. These videos feature various campuses, the town, what facilities they have and show the wilder side of the college students.

Only having seen this view of college life, I was expecting to see kids passed out on the front lawn of my dorm while I moved in or to have to swim through beer cans to just get to my room. I was terrified about the first night after everyone’s parents had left. I barely know how to do a cartwheel--how was I supposed to make friends if I couldn’t do a keg stand? I remember thinking, “How am I supposed to function or do homework with everyone constantly being annoying drunks?” Obviously there was a small part of me that was excited. I felt like if you weren’t excited for the parties, something is wrong with you. But, for the most part, I was nervous about flunking out.

After my first night, it was obvious that I was painfully wrong about college life. The dorms were relatively quiet, and everyone just sat around getting to know each other. The most exciting event that happened that night was the RAs calling a hall meeting to ask about everyone's favorite candy. I came to learn that most of the other kids were similar to me: driven, highly involved…and scared.

Students of this generation are stereotyped as rambunctious kids with souls filled with angst, but people have it all wrong. We aren’t determined to fight the world; we are set on changing it. Isn’t that why we came to college--to better ourselves so that we can impact those around us? I mean, it’s a good day if I can get out of bed and get pants on. How am I supposed to be wild enough to drink my life away?

Sure, there are those few who think college is just one big party. But hopefully, in 20 years, after I have a college degree under my belt and the hard-partying students are working for me, I can prove them all wrong. I want to make a name for myself in the world. I want to help change the lives of those in need. I want to be proud of what I have accomplished.

I wish I could say I was unique, but I am not. Most students at TCU share the same dreams. There is nothing original about it. The media portrays students at their darkest times to create an “interesting” news story. However, what the media leaves out is how TCU constantly strives to better the community surrounding it with programs such as Kinderfrogs or LEAPS. The young adults here are looking for a better tomorrow, not just a good night.