Hey HerCampus! I hope everyone is having a fantastic week!
College is one big life lesson after another. Sometimes I really think we are here not to get some degree proving we took X amount of credit hours, but to learn that life isn’t perfect and how to make the most of it when the cookie doesn’t crumble your way.
I will be the first person to admit that my high school experience was perfect. I went to all the dances, was captain of a group that I loved more than anything, had an amazing group of friends, got the grades I wanted, and really just had a party that lasted four years long.
I thought college was going to be an extension of that party, but turns out it’s not.
I’ve faced many hardships this year and have cried and been more disappointed in myself than I can count. This wasn’t supposed to happen this way. My freshman year was suppose to be a great experience, one fourth of the best years if my life.
But it hasn’t been.
College is about turning those difficulties into opportunities. And it’s also about how you deal with the difficulties university life throws your way.
You can pack up your bags and move back home, but that’s just running away from everything, and running never solves anything.
Or you can be a Debbie Downer and mope around, waiting for May to come so you can get out of here.
That was me. I wanted nothing to do with college anymore. I wanted my perfect life back and to go home and start over. I had reached that ‘do or die’ moment not too long ago when I had to make choices that would affect the rest of my life.
My parents were worried about me and had driven the 3.5 hours to figure out what was best. I had tried talking to everyone, but really I just needed my mom and dad to tell me everything was going to be okay, and no matter what they were proud of me.
Indiana was the place to help me reach my goals and just because a few things hadn’t gone my way didn’t mean my future had to be altered.
My life attitude shifted after this day, and for the first time, in a long time, I felt like Nicole again.
Not the girl hating life and wishing for the rest of the semester to be over, but the girl who had great friends and great opportunities and everything going for her.
I could’ve given up and just went home, but I’m still here.
My best friend told me it’s always darkest before the dawn, and for me, it just took a semester and a half for my dawn to come.
Now, there’s no looking back.
If any one actually reads this, I want you to share your stories. For me, I thought everyone was having a perfect time, but it turns out a lot of friends were in the exact same position as me. It helps to talk about it and to know you’re not alone.
It’s okay if you are struggling with a class or having problems finding your niche because I would bet my Marc Jacobs bag (ask my friends, it’s my prized possession) that you are not the only person dealing with this.
I also want to thank everyone who has stuck with me when I wanted nothing to do with anything: my roommate, my RA, my friends on the floor, my friends from home, and my family. Without all of you, I don’t think I would be where I am today.
Here’s to the beginning of the future.
~Nicole the Freshman