As the second semester of freshman year begins, I can’t help but reminisce about the fear of move in day. After hours of driving up to school, my family and I stopped at Panera Bread for what felt like The Last Supper. I was so nervous I couldn’t even devour my macaroni and cheese. After making my bed, folding my clothes and fighting back tears as I watched my parents drive away, I was officially a college student.
As this being my first time living on my own, I knew I would endure challenges and learn lessons I could have never experienced if I had stayed at home.
After all the organized group activities and ice breakers that made things even more awkward, it was finally time to start classes. I learned that the college life I had heard so much about happened after class was finished.
College is like a tornado you just can’t be fully prepared for.
For me, it was my first time dealing with my problems completely alone. Now that I’ve achieved most of the difficulties I was having, I’ve learned independence is a beautiful gift to have. My first few weeks of college I was counting down the days until I could return home again. But now, I don’t take a single day for granted.
The most important thing I’ve learned in college so far is how wonderful friends can be. They’re your family away from your family. No matter what you are going through, you always have a group of people to lean on. You also have people who will go with you to the diner at 2 a.m. (granted you all can afford an Uber).
As I sit in my dorm room second semester freshman year, I know I still have a lot to learn, but I can confidently say I’m no longer the anxiety-ridden freshman I was on move-in day.
