During the weeks leading up to move in, I had a clear idea of what my first month would look like. I saw myself meeting my best friends right away, feeling independent being all on my own, knowing what I was doing here, and just having it all figured out. Now that I have made it through my first month at TCU, I have realized that college is much different than I expected. The past month has been exciting and filled with new friendships and experiences, but there have also been days when I felt overwhelmed, tired, homesick, and worried about whether I was the only one who didn’t have it all figured out. In reality, I don’t think anyone does. For me, the first month has been less about having it all together and more about learning how to navigate this new chapter of my life, and that is part of what has made it so exciting.
Out of all the things I have experienced in the first month, my new independence has been the most exciting. It has been up to me to decide how I spend my time, who I hang out with, if I go to class, and what I have for dinner. From trying new workout classes to going to new restaurants, everything here in Fort Worth (no matter how small), has felt like an exciting new experience. I have met so many people in these first few weeks, and getting to know new friends has been so exciting. Having the freedom to sort of start your own new chapter in a new place has been such a freeing feeling.
While this first month has been so exciting and fun, it hasn’t been perfect. There have been days when I felt down, homesick, overwhelmed, and uncertain about whether I was on the right path. One of the hardest realizations I’ve had to make is that new routines and friendships don’t happen right away. Good things take time, and I wasn’t totally prepared for that. While I have met lots of people in a short amount of time, that doesn’t necessarily mean I have found my new best friends. I have had moments of loneliness and sadness, and I thought that meant I would never find my place here. While I still don’t have it all figured out, I feel more settled, and I know that good things will take time.
I have realized that my first semester of college will be all about learning, adjusting, and growing. I have learned that I don’t have to say yes to everything or have an activity filling every minute of my day. It is okay to take a nap when I am tired, and it’s also it’s okay to stay out later than I should on a school night. It is all about balance. I am learning to “go with the flow,” because some of the spontaneous moments have been the most memorable so far. College isn’t going to be easy, in fact I think most aspects of it will be hard, but I am learning to appreciate the change and feel proud of myself and all of the other first years for making it through our first month.
Looking back, my first month at TCU has been filled with excitement, stress, and a lot of personal growth. I have realized that there is no “right way” to go about your first month. There will be highs and lows for everyone, and that’s perfectly normal. I am still learning as I go and creating my new normal, but if there is one thing I have learned so far, it is that it’s okay to not have it all figured out. It’s necessary to give yourself time to adjust, get out of your comfort zone, and start creating a new life that’s perfectly your own.