Three And A Half Years Later
Start writing a post
Student Life

Three And A Half Years Later

Thank you Florida State for helping me become the person I've always sought to be.

2233
Three And A Half Years Later
Brohommas

It’s senior year, and the first half is about to be over.

The Fall semester of 2017 is soon lowering its curtains. It’s funny; I remember the first night of the semester like it was one that belonged to last week. With each year attending Florida State, the days and the weeks seemed to be getting longer and longer. The walks to Strozier library, parking garages, classrooms, apartments all have become routine to the point that they require no thinking, no effort to get to where we need to be. The comfortableness that I’ve built with this campus is something that I will be sad to say goodbye to, but it is not something that I will ever lose.

It’s been three and a half years since I stepped foot on Florida State’s turf for the first time.

It’s been three and a half years since I walked around with a lanyard around my neck, since I heard the band play every morning bright and early outside of Wildwood, since I called Leach by its full name (the Leach Recreation Center), since I walked around campus trying to find Stroz because for some reason I thought it was a person (which I found out it actually was so I wasn’t totally wrong there).

In these three and a half years we’ve experienced hurricanes and emergency weather warnings accompanied by the expectation to still go to class, the detonation of a World War II bomb, impeccable football seasons and the departure of he who must not be named, along with lost lives, a school shooting, and all the other things that really test us as independent students.

It has been a long three and a half years, but it has also been short. I’ve made friends that I’m no longer friends with and I’ve made friends that I’ll forever be friends with. I’ve learned things that I will absolutely never remember nor use and I’ve learned things that I will never forget. I’ve had teachers that made my life miserable and I’ve had teachers that I wish I could bring with me to law school. I’ve discovered a side of myself that I didn’t like and I’ve grown into a person that I’m extremely proud to be.

I’ve experienced instances that have completely made me feel broken and worthless and I’ve experienced a strength that I never knew I had. Looking back at my freshman self who would get embarrassed when people pointed and laughed when I was wearing a lanyard, I wish I could go back and tell myself to just wear the freaking lanyard.

Rock that lanyard. Swing it back and forth and bang it against a bunch of things so people can hear and know that you’re wearing that lanyard.

Because I’ve learned that becoming a person that people are trying to mold you into being, is a person that you will never be happy with. It’s like a tug of war between what people want you to dress like, walk like, act like, look like and what you are and who you are actually supposed to be.

It has taken me three and a half years to win that tug of war, but man am I happy I did it before I graduate. It took a lot of tears, terrifying times of putting myself out there, mental breakdowns, rejection, cutting toxic people and environments out of my life, and finally acknowledgment to myself of who I want to be.

Who I would be proud of looking back at in the future and who won’t fill my future self with regrets or wishes that I just wore the freaking lanyard.

With one semester left at Florida State and with graduation around the corner, I hope the days and the weeks continue to feel longer. I hope the walks to Strozier, parking garages, classrooms, and apartments continue to feel routine and effortless rather than inconvenient and tiring. Florida State, I hope you continue to make me feel comfortable and I hope you continue to help me grow even more as a person during my last semester with you.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

50985
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

32630
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

955804
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

180816
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments