I grew up an only child because my older siblings had all moved out with their own families. So basically, I was my parent’s main priority. While I wouldn’t have traded that for the world, all eyes were on me at all times. I never had the true opportunity to be the scheming younger sibling that got away with everything. I didn’t have anybody else to blame (besides my dad). Even though he’s a youngster at heart, if anything bad, questionable or unacceptable happened- it was me.
I traded in life as I knew it– an only child in Miami for a college experience– when I came to Bloomington in August. I instantly noticed a difference. For the first time ever I was able to do whatever and whenever (well, almost because my mom silently kept tabs on me). I could order pizza, stay out late on a Wednesday, do my homework when I pleased, etc. All of a sudden, I had no routine schedule (beside my classes, of course). I didn’t have to be in school from 8 AM to 3 PM, I didn’t have to drive to practice during rush hour, and I didn’t have to be in bed by 9 PM because I had to wake up at 6 AM. The freedom was endless and liberating, but also scary at the same time. And honestly, I didn’t really know what to do with all of this freedom. It’s not like I had a hundred friends to hang out with the first week of school. I was just a first semester freshman trying to not get lost on her way to class, have a good time, and make the most of the beginning of the best four years of my life.
I am not going to lie, first semester kicked my butt. I was confident that it would be a breeze, but after the first month or so, it was obvious that I couldn’t stay out late every night of the week or procrastinate in typical Liv fashion. Before I leaving me in my dorm, my dad iterated the importance of time management, whether that be in terms of sleep, school work or social life. Yeah, now I get it.
Originally I wanted to do everything on my own time, but as time passed, all I wanted was a routine. So yes, while there are inevtiable perks freedom brings a college student, once finals come, you’ll wish you managed that freedom a little better.
Hey, good news– I (barely) survived my first semester in college!
