College is a completely new experience with many new discoveries. I never expected to learn as much as I did in the matter of only 9 months. The 10 discoveries I have made have truly changed my life. I leave my first year an entirely new person that I am very proud to be. I hope all incoming college students and even my peers just finishing their first year are grateful for the new discoveries that come with the first year of being a college student.
1. Dreams Change.
The plans I once had for my college experience completely changed over the course of the last eight months. I realized everything I hoped for wasn’t necessarily right for me. I didn’t need to change my heart, I just had to learn how to follow it. My dreams quickly molded into new adventurous quests for my next three years. I am glad my dreams changed, actually proud. I realized nothing can be certain, not even my plans for the future. Just because I know what kind of person I want to become, doesn’t mean my journey getting there is always drawn out. My dreams I leave my first year with will also change, but I am looking forward to it. My journey is yet to be decided, in fact it never will be.
2. And So Do People.
I entered college hoping I knew exactly what I was looking for in my relationships with others. I quickly realized it’s impossible to know what kind of people you are searching for when everyone is continuously changing, the type of changing we encounter as we grow. Therefore, I realized it wasn’t about finding the perfect best friend for life. I decided to surround myself with people that were also embarking on a journey of change, allowing every new challenge to broaden their perspective and change their plans. It was these individuals who made me proud of my ever-changing life and my whirlwind of experiences.
3. Being A Feminist Is Awesome.
No, I do not burn my bras or hate on men, I just love the idea of gender equality! I entered college disassociating myself with the word feminist; for some reason it scared me. I came to realize that the fear was merely my own. Why wasn’t I a feminist? I quickly came to understand that I am a woman who believes in ending female oppression and advocating universal equality. My discovery was quite astonishing; I began to feel empowered. I began to believe the world was mine to change. Yeah, feminism does that to you and it’s pretty awesome.
4. More Than One Place Can Be Home.
I wasn’t expecting college to feel like home, but it quickly did. I made a comfy space for myself in my room, became close with everyone on my floor and always felt warm and cozy on campus. It was home. It is home. I discovered many places can be home, even people. I feel most at home because of the people I have met in college. There is something special about a hug from a friend or a good luck text before a big exam.
5. It's Okay To Be Selfish.
College is about doing exactly what YOU want to do. No more asking Mom for permission or making sure what you do is cool. I finally realized that all my decisions are for me and only me. I need to take risks, follow my heart, and trust my gut. It's okay for me to make decisions for myself because that is what College is for! These four years are my only shot at doing everything I want!
6. Asking For Help Isn't a Weakness.
I realized I can’t do most things on my own, especially since my parents aren’t as close anymore to help me. It’s okay to lean on someone else. There has been many times through the year that I have had to throw in the towel and admit I couldn’t do it on my own. It wasn’t a weakness of mine but rather an awareness of my vulnerability. Sometimes it’s being vulnerable that really gets you places.
7. College Studying Is An Entirely New Skill.
There are no more cute study guides with keywords and practice problems. College studying is a bitch. Most of the time, I find myself rereading at least forty pages of a textbook, vigorously reading between the lines of class notes and somehow mentally envisioning my professors’ profound anecdotes. Yet, I still begin my exams knowing only seventy percent of what the questions are even asking. Welcome to studying for College exams.
8. Happiness Is Worth The Wait.
College wasn’t perfect for me the first day or even the first month. It took time for me to realize that my college decision was the right one for me. My happiness progressed throughout the year and I eventually realized I was at the best place on earth (no, not Disney World). I now reflect on my final days and realize I am the happiest I have ever been, and yet I am still not the happiest I will ever be. Each day spent in my college experience will continue to bring me more joy. I can guarantee it.
9. "My Dream School" Isn't Always A Dream.
Just because I know I am at the perfect school for me, I don’t always have perfect days. Sometimes I want to go home, let my dog lick away my tears and other days I just want to bolt my dorm room shut for a full 24 hours. I eventually realized that my dream school wasn’t about having a dreamlike reality. My experience is about taking on all of the ups and downs, enjoying good times and learning from the bad. My Dream School is not perfect, but it’s exactly what I dreamed of.
10. Time Goes By Too Fast.
The last time I checked, I was awkwardly walking into High School in Converse and a sundress. Now, I am miraculously sitting around about to take my Freshman College Finals. Somehow time travel was secretly invented and we didn’t even know! Time flies by and we can’t do anything about it. My journey is a high-speed chase, and I love it. Each minute that passes adds a page to my story. I can’t wait to see where my story takes me.
