Freshman year. Some hated it. Some loved it. Some like to pretend it didn’t happen. Freshman year of college, at least for me, brought many life lessons and learning opportunities. As my year as a freshman fades slowly into the background, I can’t help but reflect on the vast difference between my freshman year self and my current self.
I look back with both fondness and embarrassment at the person I was entering college. Freshman year was a substantial year in my life, and I’m sure many others peoples lives, in which I grew as a student and a person. It had its ups and downs. I learned some things the hard way. But looking back I can’t help but remember the perks that being a freshman brought.
1. Dorm food
One of the biggest pluses of freshman year by far was the dorm food. What can be better than someone else making your food for you? And the variety was to die for. Want some pasta? All I had to do was walk down the street. Want a sandwich? Walk across the street. Want to know the aspect of dorm food I miss the most? The ability to use dorm points to buy coffee. Not having to make the decisions of either having to make my own watered down coffee or spending five dollars to get decent coffee.
2. Living on campus
Nothing could beat the ability to roll out of bed 20 minutes before class started and still be able to make it to that 8:00 am class. Living on campus often means you’re only a seven-minute walk from the library, the student union, the gym, and most of your classes.
3. Everything is new and exciting
When you’re a freshman everything you do is new and awesome. Football games, parties, dorm socials, heck even finals. Everything you do is somehow way more fun simply because its the first time you get to do it.
4. Taking general education courses
Philosophy 101? Sociology 117? Sign me up. I miss the days in which I could sleep through lectures and not get noticed because I was just one sleeping body in the crowd of a 500-person lecture hall.
5. Meeting new people
Freshman year was all about meeting new people and making new friends. Don’t get me wrong, you can always meet new people at college, it’s just easier as a baby freshman when no one knew anyone.
6. Communal living
Communal living was rough sometimes, but it definitely had its perks. Like living with your friends just a couple of doors down. The dorms supplied an unlimited amount of people wanting to hang out and be social.
7. Willingness to learn and attend class
As a freshman, I remember being so excited to start taking college courses. I finally felt like the real deal. I remember showing up ten minutes before class and taking the most detailed of notes. Now I dread having to trek to my 9:00 am O-chem class and am lucky if I get one slide of information written down before the professor switches it.
8. Stamina
Maybe it’s the fact that sleep deprivation hasn’t quite taken its toll or the newness of college but freshman always seem to be little balls of energy. Doesn’t matter that they stayed out till 3:00 am last night partying. They’re ready for round two the next night. I envy that considering it's an event if I get off the couch on the weekend now.
9. The future seemed so far away
Don’t know what your major is? Doesn’t matter. Don’t know what you want to do with your life? Who cares. As a freshman, you’ve got time. As I approach the terrifying world of graduation and master’s programs application I can’t help but envy the gift of time that freshman have been given.
10. Appeal of social events
I have found that freshmen are pretty much willing to go anywhere whenever if there is promise of a possible social event. Doesn’t matter if its 30 degrees and raining. I miss the days in which I enjoyed making the long haul to a stranger house to hang out in their crowded basement. It has just lost its appeal over the years.
11. Not knowing anyone
As a freshman you really do know no one. This can be frightening, but it can also be great. You have no one to avoid. No awkward friend gone bad to avoid. No cringeworthy ex-romantic interactions. It’s a fresh slate.
