First Year Review

It's amazing how much you learn about yourslf during your freshman year of college. I came in alone; yes I knew people, I was from a town 20 minutes off campus, but I lived in a single in a building of 600 new faces. I was self conscious for the most part, and I thought very little of myself. High school had been a struggle for me; my town was small, conservative, and affluent. I didn't enjoy that everyone was the same, nor did everyone seem to enjoy that I was different. Everyone at my high school was pretty; the girls had 500 dollar prom dresses, drove BMW's, had spray tans, and seemed happy. Not only did they seem happy, but they also seemed smart. I wasn't even in the top 25% of my class. Being that I was an awkward, pale, VW beetle driving ginger with one friend, I didn't think much of myself... and then UC happened.

I knew that having been accepted to honors I wasn't stupid; however, I was still told that college would be a struggle. My dad even convinced me that there was a chance I would fail out because that's what happens to some kids. However, I had not dreamed that I was as smart as UC made me feel. I made Dean's list, maintained my honors status, and not only that, but I ENJOYED myself. My classes didn't seem hard, not because they weren't, but because I enjoyed them so much. My creative writing fiction class involved lots of reading and writing, but I never once thought of it as homework. In fact, I never felt as if I had homework simply because I enjoyed the work I was doing. Making Italian flashcards didn't feel like studying; it felt like the opportunity to learn a new language that I was passionate about. Finding articles to discuss for journalism didn't feel like homework, it felt like the opportunity to gain new perspectives from other classmates. So while I kept busy and had a full plate of work, I never really felt like I was drowning in it.

I also had no idea that I would love my creative writing class so much. I knew I enjoyed writing, but I had no idea that my class would make me up and change my major. I realize now that creative writing isn't practical and I must combine it with something else such as communications; however, I also realize that it's important to do what makes you happy, not necessarily to do what makes you money. If writing is where my passion is, I won't dismiss it.

Coming into college I also had no intention of ever returning to high school for any other reason; well, about a month into school I started Bearcat Buddies tutoring at Taft High School... and surprisingly, I was no longer intimidated by the environment. In fact, I really liked it. Part of myself wanted to be a teacher of English. I was working one on one with special needs individuals and teaching them basic reading skills and really enjoyed being their mentor and their encouragement for the day. I now see myself going to grad school and continuing on with writing and eventually teaching. I never would've expected that.

UC also helped me socially. I joined a sorority, and not your atypical blonde sorority full of girls from my high school, but the one most unique and loyal that welcomed me generously. Chi Omega has a special place in my heart, for it showed me a group of girls that were loyal and that would love me through the good and bad. As I said, I never had a lot of friends at my high school, so it was refreshing to find my niche. It was also refreshing to see how supportive they were and how they built me up constantly. It wasn't until I joined Chi O that I felt good about myself, like I was pretty for once and that my imperfections didn't matter. I even cut my hair and donated it, which I had always wanted to but been too scared to do out of fear that it would make me less attractive. Chi O convinced me that hair didn't define me, only my heart did.

All in all, this year was incredible. My involvements were numerous, as you can see from my involvements page, and I met some really incredible people. For the first time in my life, I was exposed to the beauty of diversity and I will forever hold UC dear to my heart for giving me the confidence I was never able to find before. I will also be forever grateful that it gave me a purpose to my college education and that it showed me where my passions were.

Until next semester, Bearcats ! :)