So we made it!! For better or for worse, my freshman year is OVER. And summer can begin. As I prepare to move back home to my hometown for the next 3 months and adjust to yet another drastic lifestyle change, I've been reflecting a lot on how this move to the city of purple and gold has affected me. I can truly say that I am a different girl than the one who excitedly and nervously moved into the dorms 9 months ago.
I am, to begin, becoming more independent every day. I have taken up responsibilities from daily chores to finding myself jobs, responsibilities that are now important to me and how I live my life. Not because they are important to my parents, or teachers, or anyone else, but because they are important to me.
Secondly, I have gained so many more people skills. Coming from a small town, I literally graduated with the same 59 people that I went to kindergarten with. I have NEVER had to make friends ever. This was terrifying to me coming through rush. Thankfully, after a rough few lonely, scared, and awkward weeks, I realized that these girls I was surrounded by were some of the most interesting, hilarious, and kind people I have ever met. And in many ways they were so different from the people that I've grown up with. I've learned, through them, that diversity is beautiful. And friendship is everywhere, as long as you are willing extend yourself to it.
Thirdly, I've learned to love school. This may be a touchy issue for some, and on many days I'll be quick to agree with you. But overall, I have never enjoyed learning so much. There is something different about college: you're doing this for yourself now. I am here because I want to be an educated and well rounded person, and have been given the incredible opportunity to become one. And I finally have the chance to take classes that I genuinely love and am interested in. I'll even admit to looking forward to the end of the day when I can curl up in my bed to write that philosophy paper that's due in two weeks. Yes, first class nerd I'm aware.
Fourth, I've got a better idea of who I want to be, and a stronger drive to achieve it. Being exposed to so many new things, having such freedom at my hands, has opened my mind a bit to who I actually am. Day by day and year by year, how can I change things to better progress to the kind of person that I will one day be proud to be? I've decided that I want to become the kind of person who can quote random pieces of literature for appropriate circumstances, the kind of woman who can stand up for what I believe in, who is familiar with all forms of classical music, who can make a person feel at home anywhere, who is adventurous, and who loves completely and honestly.
Finally, freshman year has taught me how to occasionally let myself relax and how to have ridiculous amounts of fun. It's taught me that its okay to sometimes dance badly, sing High School Musical at the top of your lungs, and eat entirely too much fast food. Because while I'm learning how to make myself an adult, I am still enjoying my last chance to be a kid.
Kudos, freshman year. Thanks for everything.
