Was it worth it?
College. A time to get out of the house, meet new people, and expand connections. Let me tell you, I could not WAIT to get out of the house and have fun. I’ve never really been a social person when it comes to partying. Everything else, I am but parties are not my thing. I thought when I got to IUP that would change but it didn’t I just feel awkward and leave to my comfort zone in my room. Going into my junior year, time really does fly and a question I have to ask myself is, “was it worth it?”.
When I first came to IUP I was asked if I wanted to join marching band. The legend was one of the only things I had and I missed a lot my freshman year because of it. I missed welcome weekend activities, having a lot of evenings to myself, and being able to join other things. Even though band was great, it was really hard and I didn’t come to IUP for it. So I did not do it this year and I did actually miss it but do not regret my decision. Upon joining band, I met great people and made great friends. Those friends introduced me to my friends now, and they are my best friends: Alyson, Christyn, and Anthony. I am so happy I met all of them because when all I had was Alyson, I was alone. I only had her and I felt like nothing. It really hurt me and my confidence. It’s hard to find yourself in a place you can barely find the bathroom in.
I can say though that the loneliness gave me a backbone. I didn’t need anyone else and now when I look back on it I am happy I didn’t have someone going into college because I would have only hung out with them and their friends. My classes are hard. My major is biology with a concentration in pre-medicine and a minor in chemistry. They are tough, especially chemistry and physics. Going to IUP I knew it was not like community college at all. The social connections and academics are completely different. Yeah, community college would’ve been cheaper but that can’t make up for the priceless times I have had with the people I am close with.
IUP gave me my boyfriend Anthony and I am so grateful. A wise professor told me on my first tour there: “I’m not going to tell you to choose IUP because admission wants me to, I want you to choose it because you feel right here and you love being here,” and I did. That first day I toured I felt at home and I knew that was where I wanted to go.
So, was it worth it? Hell yes, it was and I wouldn’t take it back for the world.
