As I’m finishing off my final week of sophomore year in college, I’m coming to the realization that I’m halfway done with college. What? It seems like I was just graduating high school. How has time flown by so quickly?
As I complete my sophomore year, I’m thinking about all the things I’ve done and how much I’ve grown. From coming in freshman year from a fine arts magnet school to coming to college (that has actual sports and games?) I graduated from a class of about 96 people, and I remember feeling so overwhelmed by knowing there were about 20,000 plus students here! Then of course, coming from a magnet school I was motivated to join the Honors program here. I remember living in the Honors dorm in CP2, trying to find not only a sense of community but a sense of myself.
I remember having a dining plan and being able to walk to Landrum in two minutes to eat everything that was bad for me because “I paid for it anyway”. Landrum was the hangout spot, the way you met new people and where your best memories were. I found “my group” by joining CRU, an on-campus ministry. My small group became my closest friends. I challenged myself to really develop a good relationship with myself, to understand who I was. I didn’t change my major from English. I joined all of honor societies I was invited to join.
Sophomore year, I had a clearer sense of myself. I lived off-campus in an apartment with three girls from my small group. I decided to really go out of my comfort zone this year. I tried yoga and meditation for the first time (and if you’ve read some of my other wellness posts, you know how highly I recommend it!). My friend group got a little smaller but my confidence increased. I started taking advantage of the resources offered to me. I started going to counseling sessions and even started group therapy. I got into my major classes. I went on my first missions trip. I found a balance between what I’m passionate for and what I think my purpose is (at least for now).
As a student, you can really live your best life. You get the chance to become independent, to make choices that will shape your character no matter how big or small they seem. Approaching my halfway mark of undergrad, I’m incredibly thankful for college (yes I can even say this as I’m entering the hell that is Finals Week). Take advantage of all the fitness classes, the therapy dogs, the free snacks, the game nights, the leadership opportunities. Join a club you never thought you would. Forgive a friend. Talk to that person that makes you nervous, you’ll find out they’re human like you. Forgive yourself. Learn what self care means to you. Stop ignoring the pain and see how it can strengthen not only yourself but someone else going through the same thing. Walk on campus on the weekends and admire how beautiful our campus is. Understand that it is a privilege to learn. College won’t last forever, it is a season. Learn to get the most of it before it passes.
The purpose of my love letters series has been to inspire you with kind words. As we end another school year, I hope that you continue to become the best version of yourself.
Xo, lavonna