My first semester at college was a challenge I never expected. Before college, I thought I knew everything I needed to know about it and I felt prepared for whatever problems would come my way. I’ve always been independent, a good student, friendly, so how could college be an obstacle for me? My first semester definitely was the ultimate learning experience, despite everything I thought I knew. College is everything people said it was and it’s so surreal how true it is- the homesickness, all the hours spent in the library, frat boys, relationships, and new friends.
Truth #1: Homesickness.
Homesickness was the biggest obstacle of my freshman semester. I’ve always been independent when it came to chores and doing my own laundry, so that wasn’t a problem. However, my first semester at college made me realize how dependent I am on my family and how much I truly need and appreciate them. The first month of college was really hard for me to get used to not seeing my family everyday. I went home every weekend or every other weekend. So, yes, the homesickness and loneliness is real. Thank God for Greyhound, Facetime calls, and my new best friends!
Truth #2: All the hours spent in the library.
I’ve always been a good student, but staying motivated and studying was really hard for me. College made me realize that I was probably a good student because of the teachers I had. My first semester taught me that college is a lot of teaching yourself, like actually reading the textbook yourself and understanding your notes from lecture. I really had to push myself and work hard by sitting myself down in the library for a couple of hours. College really is all the work and stress people say it is, but all you need is motivation. My motivation, as always, was to be someone my family would be proud of and in this case, it was to be a good student with good grades!
Truth #3: Frat boys.
Frat boys are everything you see in movies, Vines, and Twitter memes. I’m usually against any type of stereotyping, but frat boys truly match their stereotype perfectly. Personally, my tip is to stay away from the Brads and Chads, but when at a party- always stay with your group of friends!
Truth #4: Relationships.
In the beginning of the semester, I attempted a long-distance relationship with my boyfriend at the time, who I dated for a little over a year. However, the distance was extremely hard for the both of us. Being in this long-distance relationship made it hard for me to adapt to college and focus academically. With the help of my family and friends, I learned that I needed to be selfish and prioritize me and my own growth. Going through break up, while also going through IT in college, I am, now, happily focusing on myself, my growth, and my future.
Truth #5: New friends.
Like I said, I was extremely lonely during my first month of college. Yet, as college went on, I ultimately grew closer to my new friends, who I now call my best friends. We do everything together- eating every meal, studying, whitening our teeth, having movie nights, dancing to Thank U, Next a billion times, rapping Barbie Dreams as obnoxious as we can, having moments and crying, gossiping about boys, doing our hair and makeup, going out on weekends. If it weren’t for the new friends I made, I wouldn’t have been able to make it through my first semester, so if any of you guys are reading this- I’m happy we were able to cross paths and become so close!