Reflections on my first year at college | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

Reflections On My First Year At College

It's been quite a ride...

389
Personal
Photo by Gabi Loue

Throughout the entirety of my young education career, there was one word looming over everything; college. It seemed as though everything in my life had been leading up to this moment. Even my little sister, who is currently in middle school, is constantly asked about where she wants to go to college and what she wants to major in, and she's literally 13.

College is built up to be this huge, life-changing event, and maybe it is, but it's also not something to be afraid of or daunted by. I was one of those kids who took FOREVER to figure out where they wanted to go to college. Even when I finally decided, I still constantly felt unsure and that if I was wrong, this decision would screw up my entire life.

That is until I stepped onto campus.

Once I was immersed in the campus culture, settled into my dorm, and taking classes that I was actually interested (minus the general education requirements that International Baccalaureate (IB) didn't get me out of), college became just another place, another experience. My dorm became more like my real room, I got to know my classmates and teachers, and got into the routine of the everyday life.

The independence was a nice treat as well, though slightly a double-edged sword. I finally had the chance to set my own schedule and monitor my own comings and goings and make use of every second how I wanted it. But it also gave me the freedom to lounge around with friends, watch Netflix whenever I wanted, and spend time going to different events instead of going to the library to finish that essay.

Still, at the end of the year, I am thankful for every opportunity I took. I am now part of clubs and organizations I truly enjoy (as opposed to doing every club I can to build up my high school resume), I have a job I love, and I have friends for life. Yes, there was drama, as to be expected, but when it was all over, I was a better and wiser person than beforehand. I learned more about relationships than I could learn sitting in a classroom for 8 hours a day, and I explored new places in my new college town.

I learned new information in all sorts of ways. Yes I learned information from my classes about history, math, literature, language, and more, but I also learned how to write a professional email, how to approach your professor for a question or help, how to best understand a topic that doesn't involve staring at the same problem for hours, and how best to improve other habits and skills.

Not every moment in college was a blessing, however. There were nights of crying, weekends of missing home, days of stress about school or relationships, all-nighters pulled and friends lost. Yes, there are things I would go back and change, but there are also many moments I wouldn't.

It will still take me a while to get all my thoughts in order about this experience, but what I can say for now is that yes, I'm excited to go back, but man am I excited for the break summer provides.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
10 things that happen the second Thanksgiving is over
reference.com

To those who celebrate, you just spent an entire day cooking an elaborate meal with all of your favorite foods. You probably ate your body weight in pumpkin pie and mashed potatoes. What happens now? Oh yea, Christmas. It’s time to take out all of the decorations and Christmas themed things that have been sitting in the attic since last year; it’s time to make a reappearance. So, here are 10 things that happen the second Thanksgiving is over.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

18 Things I Want To Do Now That I'm 18

I'm technically an adult, so I'm legally required to live a little, right?

3081
Happy Birthday Cake

For the entirety of my high school career, I was always seen as the goody-two-shoes. I never got in trouble with a teacher, I kept stellar grades, and when I wasn't doing extracurricular activities, I was at home studying. Even when I did go out, it was usually with a bunch of fellow band geeks. The night would end before 11:00 PM and the only controversial activity would be a fight based on who unfairly won a round of Apples-to-Apples when someone else clearly had a better card (I promise I'm not still holding a grudge).

Now that I'm officially an adult, I want to pursue some new things. I want to experience life in a way that I never allowed myself to do prior to entering college. These are the years that I'm supposed to embark on a journey of self-discovery, so what better way to do that than to create a bucket list?

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics

The holiday classics that shaped my life

1857
10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics
Flickr

The holiday season is full of stress, debt, and forced conversation. While we rush through the month of December, it's important to take a step back and enjoy the moments before they're gone. Most families love to watch Christmas movies, but these beloved films provide more than entertainment. Here are 10 life lessons that I've learned from the holiday classics we watch every year.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

201127
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

21500
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments