Quick interlude on style and logic:
I write in lists, so that will be how formatting probably
goes. So why blog? Well, A) I have a lot
of people asking me how college is/ how I am/what I’m doing, and B) I want to
be able to look back and see how I evolve as a person/what I thought about.
I’ve never been very good at journaling, because I don’t consider myself a very
good audience. I want to share what I’m feeling or experiencing with a bigger group.
Now back to your regular programming…
I’ve learned a lot in a single week. This might read more
like a guide for new freshman plus anecdotes. But here we go:
1. My roommate taught me more about myself, than anything
else.
She taught me that I thrive on constant noise and motion. I
crave something going on in the background, so moving in with someone who
doesn’t need the TV or Stereo on in the background is an adjustment. She also
made me realize how raunchy the TV I watch, like HBO, can be, but that is
another story. She challenges me in interesting ways.
2. People come to college for a variety of reasons. It’s a
spectrum.
Some people come more for the party. Others are around for
the academics. At the end of the day, everyone falls on a spectrum. Which leads
me to…
3. Do the right thing… all the time
My first Saturday night was extremely interesting. I was being walked home late from a get
together by two male friends , and we came upon a guy in bad shape. All I can
say is he was face down and unconscious in his own fluids (it was really gross
and slightly jarring). We were the only people who stopped to help and didn’t
ignore or laugh at him. I was amazed by the lack of people willing to see this guy
wasn’t just drunk, he was in danger of dying by choking or had already hit his
head. Did I want to call the cops on this poor guy’s first Saturday night after
a frat party? No. Did I? Yes.
4. Feel what you feel
I have cried, been lonely, laughed a lot, and had a blast. I
think most people deny what they are feeling. I had to figure out how to allow
myself to adjust. That meant acknowledging I was sad, but also that it passes.
5. You’re on your own
This sounds bad, but doesn’t have to be. My dad recently
told me, “This is your life. You have to live it”. It sounds easy, but I’m
having to realize what I told myself was “practical” may have been a ruse to
cover fear. Picking a career for the next 45+ years is daunting. My plans have
already started shifting towards finding what makes me happy and allows me to
fulfill what I know is a call to be of service to people. (To catch people up,
I’m a double major with English Lit and Pre-Business for now, but I don’t think
I’m content with that. I’m leaning towards teaching. Yeah, I know.)
6. Say Yes
Say yes to unexpected plans. Say yes to late night pizza. Say
yes to new friends. Say yes to old friends. Say yes to teaching someone how to
ChaCha in the lobby. Say yes to going to sleep early if you want to. Say yes. (But no
to drugs, kids)
7. You realize how you feel about social things like
drinking and smoking pretty quickly
I realized how little interest I have in either of these
things, even without trying them on campus. Maybe one day when I have enough
money to afford something better than Natty Light and have an ID, I will be
more interested. I don't judge people for drinking or smoking, its just not for me right now.
8. Classes will seem odd
Until the first grades come out, I have no clue what the expectation is. Every teacher expects different levels of college preparadness. I'm going to assume it's hard until it isn't anymore.
8. College is fun.
(No explanation needed.)
Until next time,
Syd
