Even though there are just two weeks left of class, I can hardly believe that my freshman year at William and Mary is almost over. I spent thirteen years of school preparing to be a freshman, and now my experience as a freshman is almost done. This has been the best year of my life, and also the most difficult. My high school work experience was easy and coming to a school where everybody was just as smart if not smarter was certainly a bit of a shock. I had to learn how to study, and budget my time. To be completely honest, I am still figuring it out, but there is nothing quite so rewarding as getting good grades after working hard for them. (Also, I still have three more years to figure out how to avoid procrastination.)
William and Mary has also given me fantastic opportunities, allowing me to get involved in things that I would have never imagined. When I arrived at the College last August, I was overwhelmed by the number of opportunities, and I didn’t have the slightest idea of what I wanted to do. A few weeks into the school year, I saw an advertisement for tryouts for a production of Romeo and Juliet. I sat on the idea for a couple of days, and then decided I might as well try. I got cast as a small role, and in participating in the show, I met some of my best friends. Finding a community amongst the theater community has been one of the best and most important parts of my freshman year. I got to try doing theater tech for the first time as the Assistant Stage Manager for the Rover this winter and am currently preparing to play Maria in Twelfth Night. Theater has certainly forced me to step out of my comfort zone, but the supportive community makes it a safe space to try new and scary things.
Also, towards the end of last semester, I began to get involved in writing. I now write for both Her Campus and our campus newspaper, The Flat Hat. I never imagined myself writing articles almost weekly, some of which are incredibly personal. Yet, I am also supported by a wonderful community who wants the best for me, and wants to help me grow to be the best I can be.
Freshman year at William and Mary has been absolutely amazing, and I am so grateful for the community, from teachers to fellow students and everyone involved in extracurricular activities.