As a child, all I ever thought about was going off to college and finding adventures some place totally new. I was always excited by the idea that I would one day be independent, all while being surrounded by so many young, intelligent people. I rushed my way through high school and before I knew it, I was throwing my rhinestone, IU-themed graduation cap high in the sky as I received my diploma and walked out the doors of my hometown high school for the last time.
As the graduation “high” wore off and summer jobs and internships were finishing, I realized that my life was starting to move a million miles per hour. I was preoccupied with a multitude of graduation parties, a full-time job, and preparing to pack away a life’s worth of belongings into a few boxes. All of a sudden, people started saying goodbye and I didn’t understand how I was supposed to leave everyone that I had loved so much. But nevertheless, the fateful day came and it was finally time for me to go.
I arrived at Indiana University with the mindset that finding new friends and people to share my college life with would be simple, but I can assure you that for some it’s definitely not. My first semester of college was one of the most painful, yet necessary experiences I ever endured. I had trouble letting go of my life back in Wisconsin. I didn’t know how to embrace the new experiences that came with college. Sure the parties were fun, but my mind was still back at home where all of my memories were. I spent many nights wondering whether or not I would find good friends at college or even when I would feel comfortable enough to ask someone to get dinner with me.
After my first time going home in October, I began to explore the idea of transferring next year. My parents had never seen me so upset and just wanted me to be happy, no matter where that meant I was going to college. So I started filling out applications to different schools, but for whatever reason I couldn’t bring myself to finish them.
Things at IU started to change after Fall Break. I was suddenly starting to see a lot of positive qualities a school like IU offered. I was enjoying my classes and I was doing well in my extra-curricular activities. Even though I was still nostalgic for my old life in Wisconsin, I began to see the bright side of attending IU. After that revelation, my life seemed to fall into place. Girls who I once only considered acquaintances became my best friends, and I noticed that I could love them just as much as my friends back at home, even though they had only been around for a short period of time. I started looking forward to the weekends and always having someone to eat dinner with, and I finally felt genuinely happy for the first time since the summer.
I know now that IU provides so many fantastic opportunities that I would not have if I ended up transferring. And now, I cannot even fathom leaving my new friends, B-town, or ridding myself of my Hoosier status. If anyone is experiencing nostalgia for what used to be or is struggling to click with a college you were once so sure was perfect for you, I can guarantee that it WILL get better. If I did not stick out the rest of the year and start thinking positively, I would’ve never known how great life at school can be if you just sit back and let things fall into place. Stick it out for a year, it may be the best decision you will EVER make.