What I learned in my freshman year at college
From one Cane to another
Last year at this time I was completely panicking because I had no idea where I wanted to go to college. I didn’t even want to go at all. I loved high school. Even when it was incredibly stressful and difficult, I still enjoyed it. I had amazing friends, went to a great international school and had meaningful relationships with my teachers. Bottom line, I was scared to leave what had become so familiar to me. I didn’t want to leave what I loved so much.
I was set off when I didn’t get into my top-choice university so I wasn’t psyched about any of my options. But I ended up choosing the University of Miami (Go canes!) and I’m so happy that I did.
The beginning was rough. It was really hard to get adjusted to what life was like here. It was awkward to be in a completely new place where I’d never been before and suddenly be surrounded by 10,000 other students I didn’t know at all. Living with a roommate and not having the support of my parents at all times was an adjustment. Branching out and meeting people was difficult at times and getting used to college classes was also trying. All of the pool party photos and “best friends” pictures are deceiving because they don’t show the whole story. They don’t show the times when you’re completely stressed out of your mind or when you’re feeling homesick. They only show the good.
I definitely had bad days where I felt so alone and just wanted to go back home – it’s normal. It wasn’t until I returned to Miami from winter break where I had a change in attitude. Call it an epiphany, will you. I realized how incredibly lucky I am to be attending college and be getting an education that so many people can’t even dream of getting. College will be difficult times and to say that it’s an adjustment is an understatement. But I began to appreciate how fortunate I am to have the opportunity to expand my self, be vulnerable and learn.
It’s an opportunity to find yourself, have lots of fun and learn a lot. It’ll be incredibly difficult at times and you’ll want to cry when you have four exams and an essay due in the span of two days, but it’s those situations that will make you stronger and that much more ready to take on the world when you graduate. You’ll achieve what you never thought that you could and it’ll feel incredible.
Wherever you end up, don’t be so quick to judge the situation. Open your mind and try to be accepting of everything around you – you’ll discover it’s much more fun that way. Be vulnerable and take chances. College is only four years of your life and it’ll fly by. You don’t want to look back on your first year of college and have regrets. So, have the time of your life and get involved! The opportunities are endless!