For many people, college is where they break out of their shell and begin to figure out who they are. I was no exception. When I paid my deposit for a tiny school nearly 1,000 miles from my home, I had no idea how different I would be after just one year. My summer break has just started, and I've already noticed how different I am from the Tori who moved to Missouri last fall. There are so many things that change you during college, both inside and outside of the classroom. I didn't expect to change so much outside of it, though. From fluctuating friend circles to clubs and school activities, my freshman year was so busy that I didn't even realize I was changing until I got home. These are the ways that my freshman year changed me unexpectedly.
It taught me to be okay with leaning on others. I went through a lot in my freshman year, both in my academic life and personal life. I attempted to keep my struggles under wraps, but was only able to for so long. When I opened up to trusted friends, however, things got unexpectedly easier. I was surprised by how much these people - virtually strangers - cared about me in only a few short weeks. They talked to me and checked in on me, and I trusted them. I had always tried to be self-sufficient. I was taught early on that you're the person most consistently there for yourself, and that you are capable of taking care of yourself if you try. I hadn't tried much to rely on others before going to school, but I learned that leaning on others is okay.It taught me not to be afraid of being silly. As young adults, many college students are discouraged from being loud and outright about their opinions and interests. I always tried to be proper and quiet, as to not draw undue attention to myself. But then I went to college, and all of that flew out the window. My school is rich in tradition and encourages bonding through songs, games, and special events. I quickly learned that if I stayed in the shadows and held back, I would not get the full experience. I relished in singing obnoxiously and making myself look like a fool. When else in my life, besides college, am I going to be able to be loud and silly without as much judgement? This helped me to become more outgoing and comfortable with myself.
It taught me how to be thankful. During finals week this past semester, a few friends and I decided to go to a theme park about an hour and a half from our campus to decompress before the hectic graduation weekend began. I noticed one of my friends on the trip thanking every single person she interacted with - ride operators, vendors, every single person. She said that theme park workers are very rarely thanked, and she likes to let them know that their work doesn't go unnoticed. This is something that was very important to me throughout this school year: thankfulness. Professors, school faculty, and other students who help you along the way rarely get thanked for all of the hard work they do while in college. Something that was strange to me was being thanked for my work by instructors, both in theatre and in dance. I have never had that happen before: a director thanked me for my dedication, and one of my dance instructors thanks the students at the end of every class. It was strange to me to be thanked for something like that, but it encouraged me to work hard and keep going. There is great value in this. If you are kind and thank people when they do something for you, they are encouraged in their work. Someone did it for me, so I began to do it to others, and it made me feel like what I did mattered. It encouraged me to keep going, and I want to do that for others
It taught me to be kind to others, regardless of whether they're kind to me. College has a lot of drama. Unfortunately, my tiny women's college is no exception. When people start rumors and try to make someone look bad, word spreads really quickly. The best way that I've found to combat this is by ignoring it and smiling anyway. I saw many rumors flying during my freshman year, and the people who came out triumphantly were the ones who kept their words clean and respectful not only to the general population, but to those who are throwing rumors and hate around. Being unconditionally kind to people is a tiny step toward everyone being a little bit happier.
It taught me to be content. Perhaps the most meaningful thing I learned this year is to appreciate my surroundings. I grew up in a mid-sized city where there wasn't much for young people to do that didn't cost money. I thought that my town was stifling my ability to become someone. Then I moved to a city with fewer than 10,000 people. In a city where the only thing to do after 8pm is go to Walmart, you quickly learn to make your own fun and appreciate what you do have. Walmart became a fun place to be, and I began to pursue things that didn't require a specific venue, such as art and music more. Now that I'm home for the summer, I realize that my town has plenty to offer - I just wasn't looking in the right places, and I didn't have the right attitude. I learned to be happy with where I am and what I have instead of hating my surroundings. Joy can be found in driving through a neighborhood you haven't been to or walking through some nature on the outskirts of town. It's all about attitude.
I have learned so much in just a few short months at college, and am finally getting to absorb what I learned and apply it outside of my school - it's making me a better person. The most beneficial learning you do in college isn't always done behind a desk.
