Freshman year. A year full of firsts, growth and independence.
They say it's the best year of your life. The books, media, and adults all emphasize how this is the year that you'll actually be on your own and have to care for yourself. What they might not tell you is that you're really not so alone. In college, especially freshman year, you get to surround yourself with people constantly.
Like seriously, it's hard to be alone for more than an hour without feeling like you're missing out. I wanted to utilize this writing platform to express how grateful I am for the friends and experiences I had my freshman year, but that these things did not come too easy for me. I think society puts extremely high expectations about college in our heads, and it truly is an incredible year. But, most fail to express how you do struggle and there are terrible days.
I think it's important to touch on the challenges of freshman year because they need to be heard and expressed in order to not feel as though your life is in shambles. So, here's a little story.
My freshman year was scary as heck. A new school filled with thousands and THOUSANDS of students. SEC football. Challenging classes and overwhelming greek life. I came into college with many familiar faces, but it was quite the switch from high school. High school I was known by others and known by myself. Others knew who I was, what I was about and where I fit in. I had the comforting feeling of knowing these things about myself too and knowing exactly where I belonged/what I stood for. But in college, I came in as nothing. My name wasn't recognized, I didn't hold leadership roles, and I wasn't confident in myself or my endeavors. If I didn't know any better I'd say I was a little lost on the verge of entering into an identity crisis.
I had tons of friends that came to UGA with me, but I was frustrated with myself. I wasn't making too many new friends and all of my old friends were in different dorm buildings not in the easiest walking distance. I failed to realize that strong and genuine friendships take time to build.
My dorm wasn't the most social at the time, even though I thought college dorms implemented a mandatory open-door policy 24/7. There were many times I felt lonely even though I was constantly surrounded by people. I honestly felt a little lost. I was confused because if you know me, you know I just love to talk and meet new people. If I'm what they call the "social butterfly", why am I the one struggling to make friends? Until that one random September afternoon that changed the course of my year.
I barged into the room next to me and literally asked them to be my friend. My dorm hall was quiet and no one was too social at the beginning of the year, so they were super excited to have a new friend too. (I know, this sounds juvenile, but I was REALLY wanting to be their friend and not just someone they had a surface level conversation with). And guess what? That awkward encounter worked perfectly, and these girls are my best of friends now.
I think a huge reason why I was so hard on myself the beginning of the year was that I came in with such high expectations. I wanted those everlasting, do-anything-for-you friendships immediately and was too impatient to give them time to develop. I wanted to be somebody and make my name known before I even knew my identity myself.
My advice to you freshmen, or anyone that feels alone and lost this year, is to flee of your expectations. Just let the Lord do what He does best because He knows what's best. I promise you that you'll end up where you're meant to be, surrounded by the people you're meant to be surrounded by.
This year is tricky but it is all about trust and obedience. I'm not saying I did this perfectly, I just explained to you all of the ways I messed up and what I wish I did differently. You might think you know what's best and where you belong, but God might just completely do a 180 with your heart.
Think about it like this: you might want to be in a certain group, sorority, club, etc. and you might think you need them, but they might just not need you. You could be so needed and purposed somewhere completely different to shine your unique light there instead. Take this opportunity and run with it! It's a blessing and honor to be placed where the Lord wants us. Xoxo to you all!
