The day has finally come. I have taken my last final, turned in my last assignments and started packing my dorm room away. Packing all my things into boxes has made me remember the day almost a year ago when I was taking things out of boxes, ready to start my first year at UF. I thought I knew exactly how the year was going to go, but in hindsight, it was nothing like I thought it would be, but maybe that’s for the best. Here’s some expectations I had for freshman year and what the realities were.
Expectation – I would be on my way to medical school
Reality – I switched to a history major
Ever since the ninth grade, I told everyone that I was going to be a pharmacist. I spent my time researching pharmacology programs, taking STEM classes and volunteering at hospitals. I don’t regret these things, but I wish that I had taken the time to look down other avenues. History classes were always my favorite and ones that I excelled in, but it wasn’t until I realized how miserable I was in chemistry that I knew I had to pursue what I love if I was going to have a fulfilling career. Such a drastic change in majors is difficult, but it has been the best decision I have made all year.
Expectation – I won’t gain the freshman fifteen
Reality – Whoops
The Pinterest healthy dorm room recipes looked so easy, and the gym was only minutes from my dorm room. What could go wrong? Turns out having a Chick Fil A and a Subway literally underneath your room is not good for trying to keep the freshman fifteen away. Oh, and discovering the joy that is Ben and Jerry’s didn’t help either. Luckily, I know I’m not alone in this. I see it now is a rite of passage that isn’t something to be ashamed about. Let’s hope joining Crossfit this summer will undo the poor diet of a freshman student.
Expectation – I would have a steady relationship by the end of the year
Reality – Not even close
When you live in the same town for eighteen years, you meet the all the eligible guys. I thought college would be full of mature males ready to commit. Unfortunately, freshman boys usually do not fit that description. I am still as bad at communicating to the opposite sex as I was at the start of the year, but that’s okay. Maybe by the time I graduate I will actually know what flirting is.
Expectation – I wouldn’t find close friends
Reality – I found friends for life
I am not sure why I was so pessimistic about finding close friends in college. Maybe it was the idea that classes were so large, or maybe I thought I was too shy to meet new people. The best part of freshman year as been the new people I have met and am lucky enough to call my friends. I’ll miss them all summer, but I know sophomore year will be just as magical as this year because of these ladies.
Freshman year is a crazy ride, but it will teach you so much about the world and how you want to impact it. If I could give high school senior me anything, it would be to not create expectations about college from movies or other students and try to create a plan based on those things. Everyone is unique, and every freshman year will be different but so special.
Photo credits: Courtney Weis