As the last weeks of school approach, my time here is quickly ending. After I graduate, I will be moving home, and I don’t plan on coming back anytime soon. I am not really sad about this. In fact, I am very excited to be done and move on from this place. However, as this chapter ends in my life, I am left to reflect on my time here at Belmont.
I started dreaming of college during my freshman year of high school. I knew I wanted to move to Nashville after graduation, and no one was going to get in my way. I wanted to be independent and on my own. I had a lot of expectations and I wanted all of them to be met. My favorite movie was Legally Blonde, and I wanted my college experience to be as fabulous as Elle Woods’. I was excited for the classes, cute outfits and studying on the lawn! However, once I finally made it here, I didn’t get my Elle Woods moment.
My freshman year was pretty unfortunate. I was here, at a beautiful school with opportunities at my fingertips, but I couldn’t enjoy any of it because I was so homesick. I cried all of the time. I counted down the days until I could go home, and I dreaded coming back. There was no studying on the lawn and there were definitely no cute outfits (I wore a sweatshirt and leggings practically every day). Looking back at it, it seems a bit ridiculous, but I just could not snap out of it. Finally, during the last three weeks of my freshman year, things started turning around, the sun came out, and I decided I’d give Belmont a second chance… and I’m glad I did.
Belmont has taught me that not all of my expectations will always be met, but that doesn’t mean the alternative isn’t just as great. I didn’t get my “Elle Woods” experience, but I did get just what I needed. I got a great education and have had so many opportunities to do neat things, and I have grown as a person. I don’t cry anymore, I dress cute every once in a while, and I eventually studied on the lawn. I have loved my classes. I have learned so many amazing things and my professors have made me excited about my education and have challenged me each and every day. I have met so many interesting people from all walks of life that have taught me about themselves and the world. I have grown as a person and now feel confident in who I am and where I am going. These last three years have been the most challenging years of my life, but I wouldn’t trade them. I truly believe God sent me here for a reason, and that reason was to grow.
My advice to those who might feel like I did freshman year is to just stay calm. Things work themselves out. You might struggle in the beginning, but you’ll thrive in the end.
My college experience wasn’t what I was hoping for, but Belmont provided me with what I needed.
So, thanks Belmont. I’m leaving you, but I’ll always be thankful for you!
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