#FreshmanProblems: My Fall Freshman Failures

Hey “y’all,” have you been feeling like you are the only one who is still adjusting to her freshman year? Well, I certainly have. I hope that I can give you some confidence knowing that I am experiencing the same utter failures that you may find yourself running into on a daily basis. Know you’re not alone! Here they are, Brooklyn style…

Uhm…Where is the sun, Mom?

“I wake up each morning and enjoy the warm, North Carolina air” — this was my thought when imagining my fall season at Wake. Well, this is completely false. A basic “Lol-JK” moment in my life.

I guess some people may argue this is actually “crisp North Carolina air,” but my New Yorker mom thought sending her daughter to the South for school meant I’d be enjoying summer all year long. Well let me tell you, it is FREEZING outside. I shiver on my way to class and ponder the falsification that North Carolina is some eternal-summer southern place. I was wrong and, I am still confused by my misconception. I find myself leaving my dorm with sandals each morning, but immediately running back inside to change into my warmer, “wannabe” cowboy boots (really they’re just brown riding boots).

Is there a class on Greek Life?

I have realized that I need a short course in “Greek-Life” language. I honestly do not know one Greek symbol. I thought these symbols were only used in obscure calculus and chemistry courses, obviously not! When planning a night out, I find myself decoding each Greek letter or phrase in my texts for a good five minutes. More often than not, I become so overwhelmed I never know how to respond.

Help a girl out! Is it “Dekes,” “Dkes,” or “Deacs?” Is there a B, D, and M when spelling “lambda?” (If that is even the proper spelling?!) I am also curious about the appropriate way of pronouncing “Chi- Psi;” I am always tempted to say “Chi-Shy,” but then I usually get made fun of. I am so lost on the meaning and pronunciation of the Greek alphabet I feel that I’m constantly taking my language requirements in multiple languages!

Not only are fraternities strange to me, but the sorority process is a whole different issue. Am I supposed to have letters of recommendations? Is this like applying to college? Because, I am pretty sure that the competition for rush looks fierce this year. Sorority experts surround me and here I am just now learning that the strange E symbol is referred to as a “Signma” (is that even right?). I’m that girl constantly reminding myself that my mom thinks I am great. I’m hoping the rest of the world, I’m looking at you sororities, will think so too.

I need a vacation…

The admission counselors were not joking when they referred to Wake as “Work Forest.” I am so stressed because of 1) this crazy amount of work! I find it sad I’m dying and it’s barely freshman year. 2) My generation’s competition to constantly be considered the best. And 3) on top of all the academic challenges, I still am working toward making friends. I miss the kindergarten days when my mom could do this for me! I find myself frequently debating between spending 30 minutes chatting with people and making new friends or sitting by myself with a salad on the 7th floor of the ZSR. (I refuse to call it the “library” because everyone says that my accent refers to this location as a “libraryee,” whatever!) I’m just hoping this mysterious “Fall Break” really is a break, because I’m in desperate need of one according to my stress levels.

I feel like the stereotypical “damsel in distress” picture – constantly flapping my lanky arms around asking for help. I am just waiting for the day that I can finally relax, but I guess that doesn’t come ‘till winter break. It may be true that the Southern lifestyle is more eased than that of a New Yorker, but that for sure does not apply to a first year at Wake Forest. I feel I’m still living that fast-paced, constantly in motion New York lifestyle. The only difference is I’m occasionally saying “y’all” now.

Till next time,

Brooklyn xoxo