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Despite My Terrible First Semester, My First Year Of College Was Definitely One To Remember

It only happens once.

Rachel Neal

Apr 29, 2019

Temple University

180

Despite My Terrible First Semester, My First Year Of College Was Definitely One To Remember

Rachel Neal

Going into college, I wasn't exactly excited for the two first semesters ahead of me.

Having committed to Temple last minute, I didn't have that time over the summer to message my fellow classmates and get to make connections outside of the people I knew from my high school that were also attending Temple.

The first semester was rough.

My routine was going to school, get my stuff done, leave and then repeat the next day.

I wasn't really making any new friends and that really made me upset because all I wanted when I went to college was to branch out and meet new people.

I was too scared to join clubs because of this - although I am an independent person, I just somehow couldn't push myself to go to club meetings or get involved.

Long story short, I was miserable my first semester of college. I couldn't wait for the year to be over so I could just be stress-free and have a fun summer with my friends from home.

This all changed my second semester.

I started to become braver.

I went to meetings where I knew no one, joined clubs that would push my skills (especially Odyssey, which is the first real organization I joined at Temple and gave me a place to vent my experiences and feelings, whatever they might've been), stayed on campus long after my classes were over so I could gain those memories, and I even joined a sorority which helped me to meet amazing women and build lifelong friendships with them.

My life completely changed after winter break.

I got excited to come to school. I got excited to go to my classes, get good grades, work hard and see results. I got excited to get lunch with my new friends whenever I could. I got excited to go to my club meetings and take more initiative.

Most importantly, I got excited to live and to be productive again.

So, I would say that I had such a great first year at college. Everything happened how it was meant to be, and it all worked out even when I thought I wanted to transfer schools because of how unhappy I was at first.

I love the college I attend, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Here's to the next 3 years.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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Despite My Terrible First Semester, My First Year Of College Was Definitely One To Remember

It only happens once.

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We don't buy into these... just like how we don't buy our friends.

8. "The whole philanthropy thing isn't real, right?"

7. "I don't need to buy my friends."

6. "Oh, so I'll bet you love to drink."

5. "Can you tell me some of your secrets?"

4. "What do you do at your meetings?"

3. "Do you guys haze really badly?"

2. "Is it just like in the movies?"

1. "Sororities are so basic."

There are plenty of obstacles that come when taking care of kids, but it's a very rewarding experience.

1. You get excited when the parents purchase season passes to the pool.

2. You've become friends with the stay-at-home moms in town.

3. You get a chance to eat "kid foods" again.

4. You've traded in your cute purse for a large tote bag.

5. You have at least one car seat in your backseat.

6. Their nap time is your happy time.

7. Lunch time can be a disaster.

8. You have to play the same board games repeatedly.

9. You catch yourself using the same lines your parents once told you.

10. Your "mom-mode" kicks in at times.

11. Your heart melts a little when they do something cute.

You'll never find any souvenirs with your name on it

1. You know you are up next when the teacher pauses while taking attendance

2. When “I’m going to do my very best to make sure I know all your names” is said, it may or may be an empty promise

3. “Wow! That sounds so cool! Where is your family from?”

4. You dread when people ask you to repeat your name over and over because it “sounds so cool when you say it”

5. There’s a 50/50 chance that your name will come back either correct or incorrect at Starbucks

6. People try to find shorter, easier nicknames for you instead of calling you by your actual name

7. When someone famous or fictional character shares your name, you get so happy

8. “What’s your name?” “It’s [name]” “I’m sorry, what was it again?”

9. You’ve pretty much seen every misspelling and heard every mispronunciation of your name throughout your life

10. When you find another person with an “ethnic” sounding name, you both get excited

11. Despite the struggles, your name is pretty unique… just like you

Can I be excused for the rest of my life?

Don't Be That Person

1. “Oh, so you/your family are immigrants!”

2. “Is Puerto Rico near Mexico?”

3. “Do you speak Puerto Rican?”

4. “You look too light/dark to be Puerto Rican.”

5. “Do I need my passport to go to Puerto Rico?”

6. “Geez, you are obsessed with your flag. We get it, you’re Puerto Rican.”

7. “Why are you so loud?”

8. “So does your family know English?”

9. “Oh my god, Puerto Ricans are so spicy.”

10. “So did you eat a lot of tacos?”

11. “Are you Mexican?”

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