To Quote Elle Woods, “We did it!”
Well fellow freshman, just as summer has faded into fall, we ex-high school students have also transitioned, and after one month we are now somewhat comfortably settled into what I like to call, “A Most Exciting Phase of Life: College Edition.” We’ve all had the unfamiliar classes to contend with, far too many new faces to meet, and just maybe a hint of drama and annoyance here and there, whether it’s from roommates or that frustrating classmate who just won’t. stop. asking. questions. or talking- about anything! But aside from that, at least for this collegiette, college is certainly turning out to be a whole new world of action-packed fabulous.
I arrived at Emerson with a slew of preconceived notions about college. Nostalgic parents and teachers loved to talk to me, in great detail, of their enlightening undergraduate experiences, and older friends would talk non-stop of the parties, the boys and the pure freedom they discovered once they arrived at college. For me, college could only be defined through an ever-expanding roster of emotions; I had my moments of doubt and uncertainty, which probably evolved from watching too many college related horror films (i.e. The Roommate), but there was also an abundance of excitement and joy at the thought of leaving home and unearthing “The Real Me.”
On Day One, I was a bundle of nervous energy, and even my butterflies had butterflies (who then somehow managed to create even more butterflies!) Rest assured, they were all throwing up as upstanding stomach butterflies do. The drive from my sleepy and stagnant hometown to Boston seemed to go by in a flash. Before I knew it, I had arrived at the curb of Piano Row, with rowdy Orientation Leaders ready to grab my bags from my parents’ car and lead me away to my final moments of parental supervision.
For me, meeting “the roommates” was my biggest pre-college stressor. During the housing process, I impulsively decided to opt out of random roommate selection. Instead, I handpicked my roommates via casual chats on Facebook and help from the wonderfully useful Roomsurf.com. Still, I was terrified to meet them in what can only be described as my “give-me-a-paper-bag-to-breathe,” melodramatic sort of way. Panicky thoughts raced through my head during the elevator ride up to my suite: Will they like the “real” me? Will I be the “outcast?” Should I have roomed with that other girl who messaged me saying that her biggest girl crush was also Blake Lively, therefore making us perfectly compatible?! Now, one month later, I can confidently say that I’m proud of my roommate selection. No, we don’t always skip down Boylston together holding hands and singing show tunes (that’s strictly reserved for Saturday mornings), but I’ve found it’s easy to maintain healthy roomie relationships, as long as you keep your inner harpy to a minimum. Live and let live- it’s simple, am I right?
Orientation Week passed in a haze of intoxicating energy and a bevy of friendly, albeit overpowering personalities. My suitemates and I decorated with a stylish hand, fabulously mixing old Hollywood glamour and girly charm to create a fantastic living environment (excuse my #humblebrag). As the week wore on, I began to meet people who I now feel will be invaluable in shaping my entire college experience. It’s important to remember that there are people outside of your dorm room; in the safety and comfort of my suitemates’ acceptance, I almost forgot this.
Classes. The classes at college are not, as some high school teachers led me to believe, impossibly difficult and full of absurdly time-consuming work. Time management is essential, of course, but there is generally room for purely social events or the occasional (i.e. daily) nap. Fact: In my one month here at Emerson, I have taken a cumulative number of naps that far surpasses the number I have previously taken in my entire life, and possibly that of the average middle age feline as well.
Being the distinctly artsy people we are here at Emerson (it’s a stereotype with legitimacy!) it came as no great surprise to me that fashion would inevitably become a more influential part of my everyday life. This past month has sharpened my eye for style and simultaneously drained my bank account considerably- oops. But how can I stroll onto the catwalk that is Boylston every morning if I’m not fully prepared for the obvious “up-down” that every passing pair of eyes is likely to give? Emerson collegiettes are as trendy as they come, right down to their oxblood-colored shoes and high-low skirts, and while it’s mildly stressful having to keep up, I’m thankful for the opportunity to invest in the vogue of it all.
Though I am but a freshman, student organizations have already become an instrumental part of my Emerson experience. I’ve somehow managed to become immersed in a multitude of clubs and publications, all of which I found to be surprisingly welcoming, and of great future value to my resume. With these organizations, however, has come a constant need to prioritize, prioritize… and prioritize some more! I’m gradually coming to realize the workaholic tendencies that Emerson is instilling within me, as the very idea of orgs has taken complete control of my oh-so young and naïve freshman mind.
Overall, this past month at Emerson can be most fittingly described through my first time surfing. When I initially caught a wave, the thrill was unbelievable; even after I lost my balance and fell off of my board (thus taking a frightening tumble into the surf) a palpable sense of excitement remained in the air. Through the already innumerable ups and downs, my first month as an Emerson lion has been a roaring success, and I eagerly look forward to the weeks, months, and years to follow.