Leaving home and moving to college always had certain ideas that came along with it. I envisioned late nights, lots of ramen, and a new sense of independence. Yes, all of those came with college, but not as much as you would expect. I assumed college would be different than high school, which it was. But college seemed different in a different way. College was everything I had expected while also being nothing what I expected. Leaving the first semester in the books, I came up of a list of things I never thought I would do while in college, but already have in the first semester.

Rushing a Sorority

I never saw myself as the sorority type. I don't go out. I don't party. But here I was joining what seems to be best known for wild parties. That's where I was wrong. Joining a sorority isn't about the crazy nights out. It is about philanthropy. It is making bonds with people you would have never met. It is always having someone to help you. It is sisterhood. Never did I think I would be in a sorority, nor did I think I would have made so many bonds with my sisters, but I did.

Run a 5K

I am not much of a runner. I am really not much of a walker, in all honesty. A 5K was never in my plans for college, or really ever. But here I am. I ran a 5K on of all days, my 19th birthday. Crazy. I know. I ran for a good cause, my sorority's philanthropy. The run also helped one of my classes grade so it was a win win.

Make So Many Crafts

College is a time of studying all the time, right? WRONG. Well, not completely wrong. Yes, college is filled with stressful times of studying and cramming, but that is not all that goes on. Little did I know, Jo-Ann Fabrics would soon be a hot place. I spend more time and money in craft stores than I ever have in my entire life. Whether we are making tie blankets, scarfs, hats, pillows, or wreaths, someone in the hallway is working on a craft of some sort.

So Many Card Games

Whether it be 4 in the afternoon or 3 in the morning, my friends and I always seem to be in our hallway playing cards. Although cards against humanity seems to be our go to game, the card games we collectively own seem to be endless.

Fire Drills

Going into college, I assumed fire alarms would be in the past. Boy, was I wrong. Fire alarms. although much fewer than at the beginning of the semester, still seem to go off at the worst time possible, 4 am. As the weather gets colder, the fire alarms are even more annoying as mobs of freshmen file out huddled together in blankets trying to keep warm.

Meeting A Great Group of Friends

Going into college, I knew I would make friends. Naturally, it was bound to happen. What I didn't know was that I would find such a great group of people so quickly. The memories I have made with this group are ones I will never forget. We have done everything from winning ONU's first Amazing Race and coming in basically dead last in the mud volleyball tournament to ice skating and making a Buffalo Wild Wings run at 10 pm. Shout out to ONU and ResLife for putting me in the cool hallway with all of these great people.

Spending My Birthday at Chuck E. Cheese's

College and Chuck E. Cheese were always on opposite sides of the spectrum in mind, well until now. For my 19th birthday we decided to celebrate at the famous house of mouse. We even considered booking an actual party. We had a blast and even scraped together enough tickets to buy some candy.

Dress For Success

In reality, going to college, I did expect to dress for success; but not like this. I never expected to buy and wear matching owl onesies in the hall one night. I never expected to dress as the Monsters Inc. crew for small children on Halloween. I didn't expect it, but I loved every minute of it.

My first semester was full of many first. Firsts I knew that would happen, and of course the ones I never saw coming. I didn't envision college to be what it is, but I wouldn't change a single thing.