From the beginning of high school, the idea of college was drilled down our throats. As a high school freshman, I never thought much of the future. I was just focused on getting through high school. Once junior year came, came I could start thinking about life after high school. It was a time where I didn’t think on a long-term basis. I would deal with things as they came up. By the end of senior year, I wanted to be a veterinarian, marine biologist, and even an environmental specialist before realizing I wanted to become a writer. This just proves how flighty I can be. Flighty people like me tend not to think about what’s going to happen in 5 years, 10 years, or 15 years. Maybe it’s the atmosphere, or maybe I have changed, but as I exit my freshman year of college, I can’t help thinking of anything but the future. I already declared a major and a minor. All I have to go is continue with my studies, and pretty soon it will be May 2019 and I’ll be graduating with a creative writing major and a communication studies minor. Daydreaming about my books getting published and readers by many people could very well become a reality. I honestly can’t wait until the day. All of my work will have paid off. Having long-term goals will make you see the big picture. Basically, you see what you want to get out of life.

At the beginning of my freshman year of college, I felt many emotions at once. I felt anxious at starting a new chapter in my life. I was going to be in a new place meeting all new people. I have to accept that this was going to be a place where I won’t just learn, but I’ll eat, sleep, relax, and socialize all in one location. You’re constantly surrounded by people even if it doesn’t look like it. I felt nervous about the classes. This wasn’t high school anymore. The work-load would be different and maybe even harder than it was at my public high school. It certainly was. Some classes were easier than others. There were courses where I had to try a completely different study technique than another course. It all depended on the material that was being learned. I think one of the major things I learned was the fact that one learning method doesn’t work with every course. Despite this, I managed to pass all of my classes. On academic terms, I did very well. Now that I got this year over with, everything else should go easier. Hopefully, I didn’t just jinx myself.

Socially, I think I did decently. I made new friends and I get along well with the people here. This was relatively simple since the people are so nice, sweet, and willing to help with whatever you need. It reminds me a lot like Star Hollows from the television show Gilmore Girls. Socializing was never my thing back home, but when you live on campus and you don’t go home a lot you are constantly meeting people. This doesn’t just happen in the classroom, this happens in the dining hall, the library, well heck, just going out onto the lawn at certain times of the day get you instant interaction. Friendships are formed and love blooms, and that’s where you’re hit with the hard lessons on life. For example, the same people you hand out with at the beginning of the year aren’t technically the same exact people you hang out with at the end of the year. There are exceptions of course, but not all friendships last. It’s the sad truth. You might fall in love. Your feelings might not be reciprocated and you’re stuck with a drama-filled, complex, one-sided one love story that is your life. It’s even worse if you were friends with that person beforehand. I have experience in this, and I can honestly say it will hurt. The anger, bitter feelings will be there for a while, but pain makes you stronger, and before you know it, you will be surprised with how much strength you have. In general, my social skills are improving but they haven’t been perfected yet. There’s still time — a whole 3 years!

With all of this brings growth. I may have physically stopped growing a long time ago, but my growth in experience, knowledge, and inner self has certainly grown the most in this one year of college than all of my earlier years put together. A lot can change in a year. I’ve never been fond of change. I always thought it would bring more bad than good, but in terms of college, I have to say that the change has been good. The good times and the bad times were lessons to take into the world. Lessons I will never forget.