If you’re a freshman – I’m sure you’ve all heard people tell you these kinds of things on a daily basis. You know, the comments that make you feel younger than you really are…
“You’re a freshman?! I’m so jealous” “Enjoy school while it lasts” “It’s crazy how fast time goes by” “I wish I was your age again.”
You know all of the cliché sayings that make you feel like a little kid – just experiencing things for the first time, and you end up just smiling to cover up the annoyance at a certain point.
I felt that way once too. But guess what, here I am years later telling you that it’s true.
Before you know it, you’ll be signing up for classes for your final year in school and let me tell you it’s a pretty weird feeling. It’s obvious that college is a drastic change from high school. For most of us, college is a time to embrace who we are, figure out what we love to do and how we want to do it in our future.
But most of that stress of figuring out our lives doesn’t exactly start the moment we step foot on a college campus.
If there’s one thing anyone can tell you, it’s that your first year in college as a freshman is one you’ll never forget – and one you’ll always wish you could relive.
Here’s why:
SLEEP
That’s right, sleeping in was a lot easier when all you had to do was push the snooze button instead of going to a gen-ed class – enjoy it while it lasts. Before you know it, you’ll be setting about five alarms so you aren’t late for your major class of 10 people, your early morning clinical or 8-hour shift at work.
WATTY DINING AND FLEX DOLLARS
Food, right at your fingertips. If you suck at cooking (like me) definitely make the most of your allowed trips to the dining halls and swipe those flex dollars like there’s no tomorrow. This is something you’re going to totally miss once you realize you have to buy groceries… then somehow cook food to make yourself a decent meal.
EVERYONE WANTS TO HAVE FUN
As you get older, and turn 21 (like me), you’ll find it super exciting to finally be able to head to bars with your friends for a good time – but you’ll always wish you could relive the thrill of going out during freshman year. EVERYONE was down to have fun freshman year, and it was always a new adventure. The excitement of not knowing who you’d meet or what the night would be like was almost all the fun within itself. These were the nights where life-long friendships were formed, where all your embarrassing moments were made and where your memories will last. Things that will consume yours and your friend group’s conversations forever – even as a 21-year old at the bars.
NEW FRIENDS, NEW PEOPLE
I think many of us can agree that once high school comes to an end, we’re ready to get out of there, face the world and meet NEW people. The best part about being a freshman is that you really get to see how much more life has to offer. I felt like I had been hiding in a shell once I realized how extraordinary college was. Meeting new people is the BEST part of freshman year. Don’t get me wrong, you’ll always be meeting new people – but freshman year is when you’ll probably meet your best friends.
FREEDOM
Your first night away from home and sleeping in a dorm room with your new roommate leaves you with a feeling you’ll never get back. The thrill and nervousness (a good nervous, of course) of knowing you’re finally on your own is something so exciting yet nerve-racking. But, it’s only up from there. Sometimes it takes a little time to adjust – I mean, why wouldn’t it? Rooting yourself up from your home and being far away from your family isn’t something that’s going to come easy naturally. However, within time you’ll learn that it’s pretty neat to know you can to basically do – well, whatever you want.
College is a blast, and throughout the years you will make memories that will last a lifetime. However, take advantage of your first year at school – because these times are what count the most. Step out of your comfort zone and make it the best.
HCXO