It’s hard to believe the year is coming to an end.Â
Last August, I was hauling my ridiculously heavy suitcases into my tiny shoebox dorm in Rich Hall, and now, I’m packing up boxes and shipping them back to my hometown.Â
I’ve learned and grown a lot in the past year. While most people are ready to escape the potentially mold-infested caves that we call dorms, I couldn’t be sadder to say goodbye to Boston University’s campus. My freshman year brought me so many gifts in the form of people, memories, and new experiences. So now, I’ll share what I learned with you.
- Good Things Are Coming
-
In high school, I thought I would never get to college. Life felt incredibly slow, and I felt so stuck in my hometown. When I received my acceptance to BU, I was able to get myself through the rest of the school year knowing Boston waited for me. With patience, I made it through those months in Minnesota. And before I knew it, I was driving my boxes to my local UPS to ship them off to my new address.Â
It felt like it took forever for me to find a place that made me feel like I belonged, but once I had it, I knew the wait was well worth it. The first week at BU felt completely natural. I knew it was where I belonged. I’m not saying the transition to college will be this easy for everyone, but you have the opportunity to make your experience worthwhile.Â
- Be Safe With Those You Trust
-
Inevitably, you’ll come across people in your life, and you’ll have to make a decision about who you can trust. College is beautiful because it gives you every opportunity to meet someone new and create friendships. You never know if the girl you get ice cream with on the first night will become your future roommate, or if your current roommate will become your best friend! I
t is so important to try to make connections, even if that means you embarrass yourself from time to time or make a mistake. Just put yourself out there and risk it, because it is well worth finding people you trust and love.
- Take Time To Be With Yourself
-
As much as I encourage the sentiment of saying yes to every opportunity, there will be days when you need to take some time for yourself. Go for a walk in the park, or even just rot the day away in your dorm bed. I’m a firm believer in taking time for yourself, even if that means hibernating for the day. College is so fun, but it can also be extremely draining. There’s no harm done in having one day of quiet. In fact, it’s actually a good thing!Â
Some of my favorite solo date memories include going on a walk in Brookline and getting a coffee and croissant at Bakey, or taking the bus to Harvard and grabbing PopUp Bagels, my favorite treat. As someone who has always identified as independent, college has given me a lot of fulfillment because I get to do whatever I want whenever I want, on my own terms and schedule. Having the freedom at a city school to walk anywhere and always find something to do is incredibly liberating.
- Get Lost In The Moment
-
Growing up, my parents always told me that college would go by faster than I could ever imagine. I never thought that four years could go by so fast, especially because I found so much misery in my high school years and often felt like they would never end. Now, I understand what they meant.
My first year of college truly, in every sense of the word, flew by. I lost myself in every laugh, study session, and hangout. It has been insane to look back on the past year and find how quickly everything went by. I was so caught up in the fast-paced college lifestyle, but I don’t think getting caught up in something is a bad thing. What’s so bad about getting lost in the sauce?Â
Ultimately, I can conclude that my first year at Boston University was enriching in every single way. Dinners at Korean BBQ, day trips to Newport, and study sessions in StuVi allowed me to build connections and memories that I know I’ll cherish long after I graduate. It baffles me that I’m only ending my freshman year, because I know I have so many more opportunities to learn, grow, and change as a human being. I have college to thank for that.
I don’t know how to properly express my gratitude for this experience except by telling you that these were some good, good days.
Want to keep up with HCBU? Make sure to like us on Facebook, follow us on Instagram, check out our Pinterest board, watch us on TikTok, and read our latest Tweets!