As a freshman in college coming in without a declared major, getting used to the hustle and bustle of campus takes time. In the first months, as I acquainted myself with my surroundings and became more involved in school, I couldn't help but realize that there are thousands of people around me that already know what they're doing as a college student. As you climb the class ranks from freshman to senior, people seem to become so experienced in their hobbies and studies. But as a freshman looking up at someone who seems so sure about their life, future, career and goals, you can't help but to idolize their values and strive to be like them in the future.
Towards the middle of the first semester, I got to know some of them personally. They made that transition so much easier by being themselves, as it showed me that your unique talents and quirks can be harnessed into passions if you work hard enough. Through your stories and words of wisdom, I learned how to handle the stresses of college a little bit better. I even declared a major, changed it three times, and added a minor. What would normally scare me became considerable as I learned that trial and error is the only way to learn from your mistakes in college.
Watching all of them with their passions, whether it be something athletic, academic or artistic, was so captivating. Inspiration seems to run through their entire body as they sprint around the track, dance flawless tap maneuvers, or do difficult chemistry problems with ease. I can't help but feel some of this passion that they're casting into the world, and I hope that someday, I can be like them too. Just as the first semester came to a close, I was a part of the frantic anxiety that comes with my first finals week. I noticed that although everyone was on edge, the older students had methods to their madness when it came to finals, and I tried to emulate that. When the semester officially came to an end, I didn't think that I could meet or become involved with anything more than I had during the first semester. Boy was I wrong.
As the new year began, so did second semester, and the accomplishments of the upperclassmen continued to dazzle me. In sports, people started to break records left and right. Our campus also suffered a terrible tragedy, with two students being murdered. But people came together to support one another in light of the situation instead of leaving people to grieve by themselves. Never before have I been a part of such a community. The way the campus bonded together to support those who had lost their friends was incredible. People got involved and gave their all, not because they had to, but because they wanted to.
The second semester flew by as my classes were much more challenging, and I had double the work and responsibilities of last semester. However, I continued to learn from my older peers and friends much like the previous semester, despite getting almost no sleep.
As March bloomed into April, I became a bit sad that I would soon have to say goodbye to so many of my friends, especially the seniors. I watched them do so many of their favorite things for the very last time, and I almost wished that they could stay forever. But they have so much more to their futures than our tiny campus, and that only the greenest pastures await them. If they could touch so many lives here as only mere college students, I can only imagine that they would continue to influence and inspire so many others in the future.
I owe them all a 'thank you' for all of their help, support and guidance that they gave me by simply being themselves. I'm sad to see them go, but I'm so grateful to have had the opportunity to have gotten to know them. With their departure, they continue to teach me lessons, and my freshman year has taught me this: The future is bright for those who go out and make the most of what they have in the world. No amount of failures can truly stop someone if they're willing to get back up faster then they fell down. Continue to meet people from all different backgrounds and do what you can to make this world a better place. Most importantly, take chances and learn as much as you can from other people. Everyone has a story and we can all learn from it.
