Follow Catherine & Chelsea as they document their first year at UChicago!
I wasn’t really a nerd in high school. Admittedly, I had some nerd-like tendencies (i.e. I was infatuated with all things Fran Lebowitz). These idiosyncrasies were small though, so the only thing that boosted my “nerd factor” was my status as a pretty good student. “Well rounded” was the adjective most of my teachers stamped on my forehead. I wasn’t a social pariah, I had the respect of my teachers, and I dabbled in a bit of everything, but I wasn’t “the best” or at the top of my class. I was okay with that. I had earned what I earned, and what I earned happened to be good enough for The University of Chicago.
But now, high school is in the past. I’ve always been aware that going to college meant beginning anew and acquiring a fresh, blank slate, but the idea of completely starting over is intimidating. The “big” transition from awkward middle-schooler to awkward high school freshman was traumatic enough. Luckily, I was fortunate enough to go to a school where cliques didn’t exist, and where theater geeks were the “cool kids”. My school’s name became synonymous with Hogwarts (because one student was smitten over the idea of wearing a cape to school…everyday). It was basically a nerd’s utopia. I’m beginning to believe I’m following a pattern by going to UChicago.
However, the thought of starting college has provided a whole new list of things to fear. At 19 years old, I’m not really afraid of being judged over menial things like my fashion sense or hobbies. But I’m immensely intimidated by the possibility of getting lost in the crowd of this nation’s “crème de la crème”, our “cream of the crop”, this huge mass of young, intelligent people. Maybe I’m putting UChicago on a bit of pedestal, but until I actually step foot on campus, I’ll continue imagining its classrooms overflowing with the finest of our generation’s intellectuals. And, quite frankly, I’m terrified.
Don’t get me wrong though, I feel as much (if not more) excitement as I do fear. Just thinking about college makes my stomach hurt, but in a feel-good, I-can’t-believe-I’m-finally-going-to-college kind of way. I’m mentally preparing myself for emergency coffee-runs at midnight, crazy midterm studying, Scav, late-night/early-morning excessive and bizarrely philosophical discussions on almost anything, etc.
Plus, college will probably inspire me in many ways. I know it will expose me to new ideas, provide an abundance of varying perspectives, and change the way I think about the world around me. Ultimately, I’m hoping it will help me morph into a better version of myself.
Right now though, I’m most excited by the thought of meeting a vast amount of colorful people. I can’t wait to create a new community of friends who are just as quirky as I am, and who will help me explore all the great things that Chicago has to offer.
I have a strong feeling I’ll fall even more in love with UChicago once I get there. My niche will find me. I know that for sure.
At the moment, I’m a few days away from moving in and I haven’t finished packing my third suitcase. I better go do that.