Have you ever had that feeling that as you are doing something that it couldn't possibly be actually happening? Well, I am packing up. My freshman year of college is done. This is nuts. I look back on this past year and it seems so surreal that a whole year ago I was graduating high school and waiting so impatiently for COLLEGE! I was emailing my roommates and feeling so "grown up". I am here to tell you that I am still a kid, I have learned some seriously tough lessons, and I still have a whole bunch of growing to do. This year has been a fantastic one though and I can only think of a few small things I would have changed. Real life is rough, but amazing at the same time. I have decided to compile a small list of the "Big Lessons" I have learned this past year and if you have any further advice or tips go ahead and let me know... I can use all the help I can get! =)
BIG lesson #1
You cannot choose your roommates; however, you can choose how you interact with the ones you get...*
I can honestly say that this was my biggest trial of the year: roommates. I didn't know any of the girls I would be living with and it turned out to be quite the interesting experience. I lived with a girl I shall call "E". We were polar opposites and it was clear from the beginning that we would have some problems. This girl was all those bad roommate stereotypes rolled into one. She had poor hygiene, she was extremely passive aggressive, and she blamed all of her problems on us. I am ashamed to admit that for the two semesters that I lived with her I never dealt with the problem like I probably should have but I learned a great deal of patience from E. I discovered that even when I get frustrated to the point of tears I can still hold my tongue and walk away from the problem.
BIG lesson #2
Friends will show up in unexpected places...
I have never been one to worry about making friends since I grew up in such a small town but as I came to BYU I became extremely aware that nobody knew or cared who I was. I was scared of becoming the lonely girl that sat in her room every night but through unexpected events I found several friends that I absolutely adore. My very first day of school I met Jon when we were both lost for the same class, Amanda and I bonded because as it turned out Stephen (Elder Sparks) took her friend to prom in New Mexico, Megan and I bonded over a mutual dislike for a certain teacher, Torri and I could have sworn we knew eachother from somewhere besides our Communications class but still haven't found a connection... The list goes on. I'm so glad I have met these people and can call them friends!
BIG lesson #3
Money does not grow on trees...
I think this one is pretty self-explanitory. Being a full time student without a steady income and a tendancy to shop when I'm stressed is a real eye-opener in the "real world".
BIG lesson #4
My family is the best support system EVER...
I can't express what a great feeling it is to be able to call any one of my parents or siblings and just talk. I love them ALL. I never thought I would miss Idaho but I had those moments when I just want to hop in the car and drive 'til I got home... so instead of burning all that precious gas I would just pick up the phone and instantly be reminded of the wonderful family I have that was so proud of me for being in college and loves me unconditionally.
BIG lesson #5
It's OK to be confused...
I'm one indecisive little girl... I came here with the dream of being an Engineer and about two weeks in I decided I wanted to pursue Graphic Design. Once I let that idea sit for a while I changed my mind yet again to Advertising which is where I am now but there is no telling when I might switch. At first this panicked me. What kind of person doesn't know what kind of major suits them best? Oh, guess what... a large majority of college students. Whew. Good thing i'm not crazy.
BIG lesson #6
Studying ACTUALLY pays off...
Yeah, another obvious one... but really, back in high school there was no study technique involved. I could cram for a test 5 minutes before and get that A that I thought I deserved. Boy, what a shock when I came here and actually had to put forth effort to even obtain a B! My first semester's GPA was disappointing to say the least but this last semester I really kicked my bum into gear and I think it paid off!
Well those are the big ones I can think of for now. I loved almost every minute of my Freshman year and I can't wait to come back next year! Tomorrow I think I will try to do a little "memories" post of all the good times this year so make sure you check it out... I'm sure I can find some pretty wicked sweet pictures! =)
*even though I didn't pick her... I couldn't have asked for a better roommate than Brittnee. Proof that sometimes you can get an awesome stranger! I guess it's just all about luck...
BIG lesson #1
You cannot choose your roommates; however, you can choose how you interact with the ones you get...*
I can honestly say that this was my biggest trial of the year: roommates. I didn't know any of the girls I would be living with and it turned out to be quite the interesting experience. I lived with a girl I shall call "E". We were polar opposites and it was clear from the beginning that we would have some problems. This girl was all those bad roommate stereotypes rolled into one. She had poor hygiene, she was extremely passive aggressive, and she blamed all of her problems on us. I am ashamed to admit that for the two semesters that I lived with her I never dealt with the problem like I probably should have but I learned a great deal of patience from E. I discovered that even when I get frustrated to the point of tears I can still hold my tongue and walk away from the problem.
BIG lesson #2
Friends will show up in unexpected places...
I have never been one to worry about making friends since I grew up in such a small town but as I came to BYU I became extremely aware that nobody knew or cared who I was. I was scared of becoming the lonely girl that sat in her room every night but through unexpected events I found several friends that I absolutely adore. My very first day of school I met Jon when we were both lost for the same class, Amanda and I bonded because as it turned out Stephen (Elder Sparks) took her friend to prom in New Mexico, Megan and I bonded over a mutual dislike for a certain teacher, Torri and I could have sworn we knew eachother from somewhere besides our Communications class but still haven't found a connection... The list goes on. I'm so glad I have met these people and can call them friends!
BIG lesson #3
Money does not grow on trees...
I think this one is pretty self-explanitory. Being a full time student without a steady income and a tendancy to shop when I'm stressed is a real eye-opener in the "real world".
BIG lesson #4
My family is the best support system EVER...
I can't express what a great feeling it is to be able to call any one of my parents or siblings and just talk. I love them ALL. I never thought I would miss Idaho but I had those moments when I just want to hop in the car and drive 'til I got home... so instead of burning all that precious gas I would just pick up the phone and instantly be reminded of the wonderful family I have that was so proud of me for being in college and loves me unconditionally.
BIG lesson #5
It's OK to be confused...
I'm one indecisive little girl... I came here with the dream of being an Engineer and about two weeks in I decided I wanted to pursue Graphic Design. Once I let that idea sit for a while I changed my mind yet again to Advertising which is where I am now but there is no telling when I might switch. At first this panicked me. What kind of person doesn't know what kind of major suits them best? Oh, guess what... a large majority of college students. Whew. Good thing i'm not crazy.
BIG lesson #6
Studying ACTUALLY pays off...
Yeah, another obvious one... but really, back in high school there was no study technique involved. I could cram for a test 5 minutes before and get that A that I thought I deserved. Boy, what a shock when I came here and actually had to put forth effort to even obtain a B! My first semester's GPA was disappointing to say the least but this last semester I really kicked my bum into gear and I think it paid off!
Well those are the big ones I can think of for now. I loved almost every minute of my Freshman year and I can't wait to come back next year! Tomorrow I think I will try to do a little "memories" post of all the good times this year so make sure you check it out... I'm sure I can find some pretty wicked sweet pictures! =)
*even though I didn't pick her... I couldn't have asked for a better roommate than Brittnee. Proof that sometimes you can get an awesome stranger! I guess it's just all about luck...
congrats amy. seriously, some people never survive their freshman year. They end up going back home for a "short break" and never going back. You're doing it! Good for you. Next year will be A MILLION times easier. You'll be dying to go back by the end of the summer.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful post Amy!!!! Thanks for sharing all these great lessons you have learned, made me cry. You are a sweetie, and I am proud of you! Love you, and next year you better spend more time at my house!!!:-)
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