Officially in college. It’s crazy, right? You’ve been a college student for a month, and it’s hard to believe how much has happened in that time frame. Good experiences, bad experiences. Extremely fun times, extremely boring times. Cool groups, strange individuals. You have tasted it all. We are starting to not be looked upon as “newbies,” but instead as “peers.” Well, this might not be totally true but it feels as such. We still have a lot to learn, but we’ve learned so much already.
“Freshman.” Before college began, this term brought intimidation. It brought negative connotations and flashbacks to high school “freshman” treatment. I have quickly learned that this is not an inferior term in college. Sure, some upperclassmen joke around with freshmen and perform embarrassing initiation acts, but after the first few weeks this disappears. Older students- at my college, at least- offer advice and help to the younger crowd. They remember what it was like to be in a new environment, so they don't show contempt. In college, “freshman” simply means new, not less than.
High school is far, far behind. Whether you leave home or stay home for college, high school fades away. If not, you should consider moving past. You no longer relate as well to high school students. There is a new separation. True, we have only been in college for a month now, but a month is all it takes. High school overflowed with drama whether you wanted it to or not. Now that college has arrived, drama vanishes. No one cares anymore. Listening to high school drama is the most pointless and hysterical thing. This isn't to say that we have completely cut off our high school friends, but we merely have moved past the things that were once important in high school.
Classes, homework and professors. Everyone goes through different academic stages. The first month of college is the time to observe how your classes will progress throughout the school year. Will the homework be difficult? Is the professor easy-going? How do you prepare for exams? You can pretty much answer most questions relating to classes by now. Personally, I have been blessed with a light load of homework, unlike most of my fellow freshmen. My professors are very straight forward with their assignments and tests. Those around me struggle to juggle many of their classes. I do not take my light level of homework for granted.
Campus life is “lit.” It takes about a month to adjust to life on campus and by now it feels like home. You no longer get lost finding a class or office. Driving off campus has become more familiar and much less confusing. Your dorm room has steadily gone from squeaky clean to slightly messy. You and your floor have become a happy family. The good and the bad have surfaced. It’s not difficult to recognize people and run into friends everywhere you go. Guys begin to like girls, and girls begin to like guys. The saying “ring by spring” actually holds some truth to it. Most people already have a certain group to sit with during lunch and dinner. The cafeteria quality has begun to decline, which is why I, myself, have eaten cereal consistently for a week. A whole new environment with new people is a very easy place to bond.
Homesick? Honestly, it feels like I haven't been home in months. Week after week, time has flown right by me. It’s difficult to remember to call home often, but it certainly brings comfort. Care packages and letters from family fill you with love and happiness. You aren't quite “homesick,” but you miss aspects of your home: your dog, your bed, your parents, your friends and your favorite restaurant. But at the same time, it’s exciting to leave those things and live life on your own. Fall break, Thanksgiving break and winter break are just around the corner for those experiencing “homesickness.”
Of course, there are many other little things and big things that happen in the first month of college, but these happened to be the most obvious. Certain aspects will differ depending on what type of college you attend. For most people, the beginning of college is filled with ups and downs but the good times outweigh the bad times. We have just started this chapter in our lives and there are many more memories to follow. College has officially welcomed us and there is no going back.
