Since it’s only been roughly a year of my first year of college, I can say I can still remember all the emotions I felt before college. There was worry of adjusting to living on my own (even if I am on a campus), stress already about the workload, anxiety about getting along with my peers. While those feelings weren’t as positive, there were some of those as well. There was satisfaction that I completed high school and got a diploma, excitement to start a new chapter in my life, hopeful of achieving good grades and find my place on campus, and in awe of how much one year can change. With this school year quickly approaching an end, I can honestly say I’ve shed most of the negative emotions. Stress is still up there but not at high level as it once was. The positive emotions have remained. I think that’s how you know how college is for you: if you still feel the same sense (if not greater) of wonder at the end of the year as you did in the beginning.

The negative emotions aforementioned changed as college went from expectations to experience. Last summer, all I can think of were the, “What ifs?” What if I can’t adjust? What if the course load pushes me so far to the point of wanting to quit? What if I can’t get along with people or find friends on this already small campus? Luckily, all of these things have been answered. I’m pleased to report the opposite proved true for these questions. I have adjusted. The course load is a challenge, but so far, I’m doing it. I not only get along with the people here, but I found some of the most caring people ever.

Don’t let me persuade you to think college is a breeze that will always blow in your direction. It isn’t. It’s not all lollipops and rainbows, but it wasn’t painful as you might think. For starters, the ways you adjust may not work out for you. There are obstacles out there and you have to face them head-on. The workload may not be rigorous all the time, but there will be (at least for me) multiple hours spent in the library studying and working on assignments. That’s just how it is. I work in the library and I’ve observed that students come into the library at least once in their college lifetime. There’s no way to avoid it. This is a good thing actually. Being dedicated to your work will put you one step closer to Graduation Day — and who wouldn’t want that?

Seriously, who wouldn’t want that? When it comes to people, I’ve learned in my middle school years that you’re not going to like everyone and not everyone is going to like you. That’s ok. It’s healthy even. Liking everyone means not seeing the negative sides. Don’t get me wrong. Everyone has flaws, but some flaws can be destructive to themselves as well as others and you don’t want to be around that. However, if you find people who accept you as you are, you like the kind of person they are, and you like the kind of person you are when you’re with them — keep them close.

Even with all this, I can still feel the excitement for what’s going to happen next. I’m still in awe when I think about how my perspective on a lot of things has changed. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. It just means I’m being more open-minded on things I didn’t know. Long story short, college is an adventure. I always favored adventure and I can’t think of a better one to begin my transition in young adulthood than college.