First off – I would like to apologize for the total lack of
posting for quite some time (cough cough an entire month). The last month of
college proved itself to be extremely busy. Between working, exams, making time
for friends, and planning out a job for the summer, any free time I have had
has been used to mindlessly watch Friends instead of doing anything productive.
Hopefully, now that I am home and things have calmed down, I’ll be able to post
more regularly again.
I officially moved out of Sellery Residence Hall a little
under a week ago, and I am just getting around to unpacking all my boxes. As I go through all the things that were housed in my tiny cinder block room in
Madison, I’m reminded of the friends and memories I've made throughout the past year.
More importantly though, I am beginning to realize some of the important
lessons my freshmen year at UW-Madison has taught me.
So here it is – my realizations, what I never knew before
I went to college, a list of the things my freshman year taught me:
1. Packing for college is only
stressful because you think you need way more than you actually do. It’s not
necessary to bring every single pair of shoes you own or every single bottle of
Bath and Bodyworks body mist that you’ve accumulated since you were 12. There
ended up being SO many things I brought that I never used.
2. Yes the room is small – I remember
walking in for the first time and thinking there was no way two people could
live in there for an entire school year. As you get used to it though, the room
seems bigger. Visitors will think it’s teeny, but you’ll try to convince them
you love it.
3. You’re probably not going to be
best friends with the people you hang out with the first week. Everyone is
scrambling to make friends as fast as humanly possible. Once school starts and
everything settles, you’ll find the people you actually click with.
4. There is absolutely nothing and no
one forcing you to go to class anymore, so you’ll decide to sleep in instead.
Along with this though, you’ll learn that catching up in college is a lot
harder and a lot more stressful.
5. Roommate situations are honestly
what you make of it. Some people I knew hated their roommate, some people
tolerated their roommate, and some were best friends with their roommate. As for
me, I lucked out with a fabulous roommate who shared my love of HGTV, and even
agreed to watch the Bachelor with me – that’s a pretty great roomie if you ask
me.
6. Nap-time becomes almost an absolute
daily must – at least for my roommate and I. I’m pretty sure I took an hour nap
at least 4 times a week.
7. Sometimes you’re going to have to
miss out on the fun. People will want to go out all the time, but if you have a
paper due the next day, you’re going to have to decide between having a fun
night with your friends or getting a good grade on your paper.
8. People. Take. Photos. Constantly.
(Including myself). Be careful of what pictures are taken of you and what ends
up on the Internet because family members will question you on it.
9. You will – at some point – miss
your family and your home. You’ll miss your bed, your dad’s home-cooked meals,
your talks with your mom, or your Harry Potter movie marathons with your
sister.
10. Packing is probably the most
depressing task of the year (aside from exam week that is). You begin to
realize your time in the dorms, living only a few doors down from your best
friends, is coming to an end. It’s also pretty stressful. Not only are you
trying to pack up everything, but you also have to do it in the middle of exam
week.
11. UW-Madison is hands down the best
school. It has the best location with the possibility for the best experiences.
Whether it’s going to a Badger football game or sledding with Gordon’s lunch
trays, there are so many opportunities and traditions that make for the best college memories.
My freshman year was an absolute whirlwind. I met so many great people, made many close friends, and had one the best years of my life. While it was sad to move-out, I cannot wait to see what the next three years has in store.
Have a great day. Try something new. Go watch Pitch Perfect 2 - it's hilarious! As for me, I hear a strong cup of coffee calling my name.
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