It's All for the Better

Exactly one year ago, I was accepted to James Madison University. JMU was the last place I heard back from and I was terrified that I wasn't going to get it. I was very convinced that I was going to go to CNU but when I got the good new from JMU, I submitted my deposit the next day. I am so thankful for where I ended up going to college, it's been a great year so far!

Since going to college so much has changed. For the better that's for sure. I have learned to much about myself and about the world and I wouldn't have been able to do so if I weren't here. Everything has changed since I moved to college; from my though process to my sleep schedule. Here are some if the changes that college has brought me...

Learning what to stand up for and what to forget

When you move to college you really are on your own. There's no parents here to help you out when you need it. Truly, there are no adults here. When it comes to picking and choosing your battles college really teaches you how to do it. I learned this most when it comes to rooming with another person. There are some things that you should stand up for and some things you should let slide.

Establishing Beliefs

In high school I never paid attention to what was going on in the world and honestly, how ignorant was I to do so? Since coming to college I have really formed my own political and social views. I have grown further with my faith and have in general just been more in the know each day. I partially owe this to my writing professor from first semester. She taught us to really develop personal opinions and to be proud of your beliefs.

Work Ethic

Work ethic changes in college. Even though there's nobody here telling me that I have to go to class, I want to work harder than ever before. I use a lot of my spare time just doing extra homework, making quizlets, or reading. Hopefully it will all pay off at the end of the semester!

Confidence

Since being in college, my confidence has really shot through the roof. I am much more comfortable about talking about my blog, I don't mind eating alone, and I'm comfortable wearing glittery pants on the weekends. In high school I never would have been able to do those things. College really gave me the "I don't care what anybody thinks" mentality. I feel comfortable going out of my dorm without makeup and I'm perfectly happy in sweatpants when going to class.

Appreciation for Friendship

My appreciation for friendship has grown immensely since coming to JMU. I went through a few sour friendships in high school, as all girls do, and it took me a while to realize it. Friendships in college mean a lot because for those 8 months out of the year, they're your family. I eat dinner with my best friends almost every night, my friends and I wish each other luck on tests like a mom would do, and we are all practically living with each other as if it were a house.

Developing a Sense of Self

I have come into my own throughout college. I have discovered what I want to do and more importantly what I don't want to do. After thinking about it, I have found my dream career and every day I think about how to get there. I have also learned how to represent myself the best way possible through social media, in class, through academics, and when I'm with friends.

Learned to take risks

I never took risks in high school. I have learned that taking risks have huge rewards and even if you sometimes fail, you still learn so much. Rushing a sorority was a big risk which had a great reward. Writing a blog post every day was a risk, again a huge reward! I have leaned to take a risk and talk to new people and I have made some great friends that way.

I know that college is sometimes a very scary thing, you are being thrust into a completely new environment but I can easily say that college is great. Despite the sometimes very late nights, or the new encounters you come across. College is such an adventure!! Let me know if college has changed you in any way!

Stay Preppy,

Lucy