If freshman year taught me anything, it is that the best version of yourself is your true self. Hiding behind facades and labels that were created in high school is useless because no one cares about the person you were. The whole idea of finally being able to be yourself in college sounds so cliche to me. I always doubted when people would tell me that but my freshman year showed me that it could not be more true.
The people that I have met and the connections I have made in such a short time has highlighted this idea. From the people on my floor to the people I met in the chemistry lab, every connection I made was genuine. People I had met for basically a week instantly became my best friends because of the fact I was able to be my complete self with them. I was able to be weird and stupid and vulnerable and honest with them. I also was lucky enough to meet people within my major that I went through the many highs and lows of Wingrave chemistry with. People I had just met became the people I could talk to about anything from all the stressors of the stupid lab to contemplating changing my major. I got so close to people so quickly. I never expected that and I can say without a doubt that it made my freshman year unforgettable
Every person I met has helped me get through some obstacle of freshman year and to me that is crazy. I went into college thinking I would have to become a whole different person because in high school I was not “cool.” I was quickly shown that I do not have to change the person I am for others. My true friends love me for who I am and not who I thought I had to be.
There are so many things I learned from this year, from time management to being myself. So many of the thing I learned are thanks to the people I met and for that I am so grateful.
English 110 Spring 2020 10:10-11:00 
I absolutely love this post, and could not agree more. Coming to college from high school, honestly I think I would describe my attitude mostly as annoyed with the fact that I had to start over. I didn’t want to have to prove myself to everyone all over again, make a “name” for myself…but I was wrong. Notice how I was thinking in terms of “making a name for myself.” In high school I was way too concerned with being “cool,” how I presented myself, who I associated with, and the thought of having to do all of that again had me on the verge of a major mental breakdown. Except once I got to college, at some point it struck me that these things were irrelevant. I wouldn’t have to “prove” myself, or put on the mask of somebody else to fit it. College taught me that I should be myself no matter whether that’s what other people idealize or not. In college, you will find your people, the people with similar mindsets, as long as you are yourself and put your best foot forward. I can not explain how much my own personal happiness has increased just since college, finally prioritizing the activities and ideas that hold value for me. It is so much more rewarding to step out on your own, taking a leap of faith, and finding success while being yourself, instead of conforming to a crowd. I’m super happy for you that you never strayed from yourself in high school, and in college you were rewarded for it. Meanwhile someone like me who put way too much pressure on herself to be someone else—I struggled finding myself again for a while at the beginning of first semester. You are truly someone to look up to, and I hope more people can follow your lead instead of being consumed by social media and the norms which unfortunately was the person I had let myself become.
Great work on this post! Thanks for the read!
Emma Charles
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Love the pictures LOL! I can say meeting you has helped me adjust to college. You were always only a text away when I needed help with my chem labs and you never hesitated to help. This piece really shows how college is a place where you can be yourself and develop long lasting friendships. I’m so thankful Taylor introduced me to you because I don’t know how I would’ve gotten through this year without you. Thank you for being such a great friend. Have an amazing summer(if we get to have one)!
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This is AMAZING. I love this so much! I admired how you said, “The whole idea of finally being able to be yourself in college sounds so cliche to me.” My mom used to tell me how I could be myself in college, and I never believed her. I was always a follower in high school, but in college, I do things my way. It is nice to be yourself to the people you meet and make connections that you didn’t have at home. I love my hometown friends, but I built a special connection with some great people at UD. All that special connection required was to be me. I hate to say it, but my mom was right… She always is. I love how you put this together to write a simple but relatable piece. I hope you and your family are doing well and healthy!!
(P.S. I love the photo collage!!)
-Molly Corrigan
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