Leaving the first year frights behind

When I was a senior in a high school, I was just like every other 18 year old. I couldn’t wait to move out and start my life, and refused to pay attention in class and stay motivated. Senioritis is real, despite what my parents might say.

Around the middle of the second semester, when the grind was real, I finally made the biggest decision of my life: where I was going to college. After countless essays and applications, stressful interviews and exhausting visits, I finally decided. After living in the small town of Cody, Wyoming for 16 years, it was time to leave. The University of South Dakota was waiting for me, and I was more than ready to go.

I was the only person from my graduating class who came to USD and one of the few who went out of state. It was the hardest decision I’ve made, and I was reluctant to step out of my comfort zone and go all in. There was no turning back. Dropping out and “deciding it wasn’t for me” wasn’t an option.

Fast forward about a year and half later, I’ve made it through my first year of college and am still going strong. For anyone looking to go to college out of state, or simply starting college, I’d like to offer some words of wisdom each week, because I was a trainwreck the majority of my first year of college.

Let’s get started.

Around this time last year, I had just made it through my first week of class. I think I called my mom at least 20 times and probably went to Walmart every single day. I took all my books to every class, and left my dorm room around 30 minutes before class even began.

Just wait, it will get worse.

I’m used to the dry mountain air in Cody, so needless to say, the humid and damp air in Vermillion took quite the toll on my naturally curly hair and attempt to look decent the first week of school. Here I am, trying to make new friends and looking like a greasy fuzzball. Even though it was 98% humidity and 80 degrees or so everyday the first few weeks I was here, every morning I frantically tried to straighten my hair, only to have it grow three sizes by the time I got to class.

Think that’s bad? Just wait.

Aside from my hair complications, I also had no idea where in the world any of my classes were, or how to get my homework online or really do anything except walk to North Complex, tap my student ID to get in, and call my mom yet again, telling her “I can’t do this.”

Hey, Mom (and Dad, too), thanks for not letting me wuss out and giving me the same pep talk everyday. It’s tough to finally leave home, and learn to be on your own, but I’m forever thankful for making this decision. I’ve learned so much in just a year, so I’m happy to provide knowledge to anyone needing it, so they don’t look like a chicken with its head cut off, sprinting from class to class and walking around with an overstuffed backpack.

To summarize, here are some things I learned my first week of college that I really kept in mind starting out this year:

1. No one cares what you look like. Seriously, just roll out of bed, throw some clothes on and go to class. Just go to class, it’s what you’re here for.

2. Don’t arrive to class 30 minutes early; that’s excessive. Roll in five to seven minutes early, because that’s what everybody else does.

3. For the love, talk to people. Don’t be afraid to try to make friends and open up, even though it’s terrifying and uncomfortable. Everyone is in the same boat.

4. Don’t wear your lanyard with your student ID around your neck. Enough said. You look like a dweeb and everyone knows you’re a freshman.

5. Call your mom and dad as much as you need, but maybe not more than once a day. They love you, but you have to learn how to do this college thing on your own.

I learned a lot just in that first week, and continued to figure out how to “adult” as the year progressed. A year later, I’m still a trainwreck, but I think I’m a lot more on track than I was this time last year.