As I write this, I sit on my oh so comfy couch next to the Christmas tree back in Chicago on Winter Break. I don’t think it has completely set in yet that my first semester is over with. Everyone says college goes by fast. They’re not wrong.
In one semester, I've learned more than I ever thought possible and I’ve found parts of myself that I never thought existed. For instance, I'm a coffee person now.
Having so much responsibility seemed scary at first, but now I have it under control (for the most part). I always knew I wanted to go away for school so I guess I prepared myself as much as I could leading up to it.
College is about independence and that is what I love most. I’m the type of person who likes to have a good amount of control and knowledge about what is going on. For starters, making my own schedule is simply amazing. I know what I want and it’s not a problem for me to make that happen. Whether it be school or social life, I’ve been able to create a balance between school time, me time, and friend time.
My first semester has also taught me to put myself out there. I never thought I’d be one to do Greek life, but here I am, in a sorority loving every second of it.
I’ve made friends I feel like I’ve been searching for my whole life. Everyone always says college friends are the ones that stay. One semester in, and I feel like I’ve known some of these people for years now.
Now don’t get me wrong, college isn’t all fun and games. To be successful, you have to be organized and have goals to go after. Keeping focus is crucial. The dangerous part about being on your own is being accountable for yourself.
How I look at it, I consider college the ultimate pre real life experience. It’s obviously a big change from living under Mom and Dad’s roof, but it’s important to remember they are the reason attending college is possible in the first place. I might be living on my own and taking care of myself now, but I still have Mom and Dad to fall back if need be.
Even though I consider myself pretty independent, I wouldn’t have made it through this semester without the often phone calls back home for support and advice.
College is the biggest adjustment I’ve ever made in my life. If I had one piece of advice for incoming freshman, it would be to enjoy every second of the freshman experience, right down to the immensely awkward first week of icebreakers and introductions. Make sure you are happy with where you’re at and don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. It is hard to imagine now, but I promise it’ll all be worth it.
