I remember the fourth years I met during my first year of college. They were mature, sophisticated, untouchably cool and had it all together. Now, here I am beginning my fourth year, and I feel I am none of those things — except maybe a little more mature than I was three years ago.
While I have learned a lot during my time here, I am not nearly as wise as the fourth years I knew — or at least not as wise as I thought they were. Now, I realize that there is actually a lot upperclassmen can learn from our first-year colleagues.
First of all, putting yourself out there can be a good thing. First year, everybody is in the same boat, needing to get settled, make friends and figure out which dining hall is best. It was normal to ask someone who you had just met to go to O’Hill with you or hang out at your dorm. There was nothing to lose. Now it might seem weird to turn to the person next to you in class and invite them to lunch, but maybe our lives would be a bit more interesting if that was still normal.
Second, we need to remember that it’s okay to be a little lost. I have successfully navigated from Nau/Gibson to Slaughter in 15 minutes time and know which roads avoid the Corner traffic, but I have no idea where I am going to be this time next year. Instead of beating myself up about not having figured out what I want to do after graduation, I am going to try to remind myself it is okay not to have a road map of the year ahead finalized.
It’s also okay to ask for help. Two of my friends are only friends because first year, one of them asked the other to help her find the books for their class in the bookstore. We may feel like we are old enough to be self-sufficient, but we’re still be lucky to have friends at our sides at the bookstore. When our groceries are too heavy or we need help with a big decision, we shouldn’t be too afraid or prideful to ask them for a little help.
Finally, it is important to be open to new things. I am very happy with the place I have found for myself in the University — I love my friends, the organizations I am involved in, the majors I chose and the decorations I have accumulated for my apartment. But I want to remind myself not to get too complacent or comfortable in my ways. First year, I was acutely aware of the fact that every person I met could become my best friend, and why can’t that still be the case?
I do have one piece of advice for first years: be yourself. I know it is cliché and everyone is always told that, but really, don’t try to pretend to be someone else. I spent a lot of time caring too much about what other people thought of me and trying to fit into a mold that I thought was appropriate. Once I started making decisions I thought were right instead of what everyone else thought was right, and surrounded myself with people who loved me for the real me, I began to be truly happy in college. Don’t settle for less than that.
Students in the first-year class bring a fresh perspective, energy and unique talent to the University, and I am excited to see what they will contribute to the place that I have come to love so much over the past three years. So, welcome, Class of 2019! I can’t wait to learn even more from you.
Kelly’s column runs biweekly Tuesdays. She can be reached at k.seegers@cavalierdaily.com.
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