I vividly remember being a less knowledgeable seventh grader sitting at the front of bus eighteen with my friend Grace and saying the words, "I can't wait for college."
Grace would nod and I would roll my eyes as our bus approached the middle school. It was the same fantastic things I heard about going off to college as a twelve-year-old that I heard as an excited eighteen-year-old packing my bags for this awaited adventure.
Right about now, you either feel lied to or feel as though college consists of everything you need to peak in your life. For me, I go back and forth between the two multiple times a day.
Whether you are crying in your room right now or reading this article between parties, I guarantee you've felt all of the freshmen feels. So here are 10 thoughts that have crossed every freshman's mind.
1. What if I get sick?
You don't have to be my best friend to know that I'm terrified of just the common cold. Getting sick while adjusting to college is something that I will have to accept, but it doesn't mean that I can't try to prevent it.
Drink lots of water, stay active, eat well, sleep a lot, and please, wash your hand.
2. When will I eat next?
Danyel Meahan
If you're like me, eating three questionable meals a day from the dining hall won't cut it. I suggest going grocery shopping and storing as much food as you can in your dorm. Be clean about it, of course.
3. Aren’t I supposed to have friends by now?
While talking to Paulina last night, I told her how I feel like I should have more friends since I've been at college for two weeks now. She told me that I shouldn't feel pressure to establish a friend group right away and should let the pieces fall into place, otherwise a girl will go crazy.
4. How many miles have I walked today?
Danyel Meahan
After entering college, many of our routines have been disrupted. For me, these routines include my daily workout. To feel less bad about not going to the gym, always remind yourself of the immense amount of walking you probably did that day.
5. Are all parties like this?
Let's just say my first party as a freshman wasn't the best experience I've had.
Hopefully it's all uphill from here.
6. When is Thanksgiving again?
We have all seen the sad Instagram posts of friend groups and the captions, "See you in 3!" In the moments you feel like you've been lied to about college you may find yourself counting down the days to Thanksgiving break. Having a calendar isn't a crime.
7. Is it too soon to drop out?
Emma Chamberlain
How much time should I allow to go by before I call it quits and pursue a career in youtube?
8. I wonder what it would be like to go back to high school…
Considering you spent the last four years in high school, you know what it would be like. This is one of the more dramatic thoughts we've had.
9. What if my phone breaks?
I may be alone on this one, but I seriously would not know what to do.
10. How many times a day is too many times to reach out to my friends from back home?
Andrea Chalon Photography
For me, the hardest part about leaving for college was leaving my best friends behind.
Each day my group chat blows up full of motivational messages from my friends to conquer each day and reminders that we will always be there for one another. So, to answer your question, you can never reach out to your friends too many times in one day.
Grace texted me this morning and asked me to tell her that it will get better and that she's not alone. I told her exactly that, and to not feel bad about feeling unsure about this adventure we've been dreaming of for years.
After all the freshmen feel are over with, we will be the ones "lying" to those who come after us.
