When I left for college I was full of energy. I was excited for my first year on my own. I packed up my suitcase and many, many boxes of stuff weeks before my report date. I met my roommate through a Facebook group for the class of 2019 and we clicked instantly, seeming to be the exact same person. I got my summer workout for volleyball and attacked each one eagerly. Finally, my report day came. We packed up the truck and hit the road. The hour long journey that I had already made a handful of times seemed to take forever. After what felt like three days, I arrived at my new home. They don’t tell you that you really don’t need that extra hanging shoe rack.

It was a week of firsts. My first collegiate volleyball practice, my first day of class, my first time living with a girl my own age and my first time dealing with college boys. All of these were incredibly overwhelming, yet I did my best to maintain my spunk. After about a month, that started to fade. They don’t tell you how fast college may crush your spirits.

I found myself incredibly sleep deprived, physically exhausted and emotionally unstable. I spent so many nights trying to figure out my introduction to chemistry homework after a long bus ride home from a game. I had absolutely no idea how to handle the stress I was under and finally, I cracked. I cried in the middle of practice - super embarrassing. Luckily, I found out that day just how much support I had from my team. They don’t tell you how your team will become your family.

Collegiate athletics is honestly a full-time job, even at a small Division III, Liberal Arts College in Michigan. I was not prepared for the long, grueling practices, getting home after midnight two to three times a week and weekends dedicated to nothing but play. Along with all of this, you’re expecting to maintain a high GPA and also somehow have a social life at some point. It’s quite the juggling act. They don’t tell you that high school athletics is pretty much nothing compared to collegiate athletics.

I had my core group of friends - my roommate and two other girls on the team. We did pretty much everything together. We were a squad. As the season went on, my relationship with my roommate suffered. It seemed as if our friends became her friends and suddenly I felt I was left in the dust. We fought more and more until we finally decided something had to be done. I packed up my stuff and moved into a single to save what was left of my mental stability. They don’t tell you that you might not get along with your roommate and that living with another human is actually super hard.

About the time that I was moving out of my room, I felt like I had absolutely no one. Season was over so I hardly saw my teammates and I had lost the girl I thought was my best friend, along with the rest of the girls I thought would always have my back. I felt completely and utterly alone, now in my closet sized single room. I struggled through the days and called my mom crying almost every night. Luckily, I found myself becoming friends with a girl on my team I had never saw myself befriending. Because of her, I began to grow close with another teammate who I had only spoken to a handful of times. Suddenly two teammates that I had hardly talked to became the girls I couldn’t live without. They don’t tell you that sometimes, people you never thought you’d befriend can become the most important people in your life.

As I wrapped up my first semester of college, I realized that despite high schools greatest efforts, they don’t and can't teach you everything you need to know about starting your new life at college. I also realized that I’m glad they didn’t, as learning these lessons on my own has helped shape me into the young woman I am. Now in my second semester of college, I realize that everything seems to work out how it’s supposed to and that the bad times make the good times better. Every all-nighter I pulled to study for an exam gave me a greater appreciation for the Sundays I was able to sleep until noon. My failed friendships and roommate situation pushed me to the people who bring out the best in me. My breakdown gave me a chance to see how many people truly care about me. Gosh, am I thankful for everything they don’t tell you about college.