Room mates

August 21st doesn’t mean much to people that aren’t attending my college next year. But for those who are, this date will stick with us long after the dates for registration or open house have faded from our memories. On the morning of the 21st, I was introduced to my room mate. The introduction was short, only a web page containing her email address and her name, but it was enough. I started my search on Facebook, but eventually found her on Myspace. Someone who isn’t a college freshman in a dorm might call this creepy and think me a stalker, but in reality, I am just desperate. I crave the slightest hints about who I will share the next year with; whether she parties or not, if she’s into drugs and alcohol. Dreaded images of her passed out drunk flashed through my mind, but her actual site was much cleaner. I was relieved to find a picture of her and her dad as her profile picture. A girl that has her dad in her profile picture can’t be that bad, right? I sent her a strategic note that sounded cheerful and light, hoping that it wasn’t too obvious how long I had taken on the few lines. Some hours later, I got a reply, and we have been conversing since. I was surprised to discover how much we have in common. If someone were to judge on appearances, it would seem that we wouldn’t get along too well. She just doesn’t look like the kind of girl I would have hung out with in high school. However, we have been able to bond over shared interests in reading, TV shows, and the determination not to gain the “freshmen fifteen”. She seems really close to her family and seems even more nervous than me to be leaving home. The experience has really taught me not to judge on appearances, but to give the person some time to show who they are. As I go into the last week before I leave, it is a comforting to know that my room mate is someone that I can relate to and understand.

The "End Times"

For centuries people have been speculating about the end of the world. Will people stoically face their fate, conscious of how powerless they are to change it? Or will they dwell on the end, making it more painful than if they had accepted it? As an incoming college freshman, I feel I have some experience with this question. Although I know that the day I leave is not the earth's Armageddon, sometimes it seems as if it is my family's.
Prior to this week, I have spent as much time as humanly possible with my friends, soaking them up before we all go separate ways. But now, with only 10 days left, it seems to be my family's turn to soak me up. This entails going to movies and shopping with my mom, and taking the time to talk with my dad. It means sitting down as a family to talk, not just to watch the latest Blockbuster rental. Which is all good, except for the high emotions. I know that I will cry when my parents drop me off at school, that much is given. But I really don't want, or feel the need, to break down now. My parents, and especially my mom, are a different story. A tip for your future "End Times": Don't bring out old photos, show your parents how much you have packed, or mention exactly how many days you have left. Trust me, you don't want to make this any harder for yourself.
As difficult as these times are, there are some upsides. No one will tell you not to eat the cookie dough or to clean your room. You will realize what a great thing you have with your friends. And you will see that, contrary to what you previously believed, you will miss your family.

First Week at College

My first week here at Kansas went by faster than I could ever imagine. Saying goodbye to my parents was hard, but not like I thought it would be; once they left I started feeling like I was at camp. The whole sorority thing didn't work out. I started Fall Formal Recruitment (the recruitment process, also known as "rush") but it just didn't turn out like I had hoped so I quit a few days into it. One of my best friends is here with me and she quit as well so it made it easier. The day after I quit I started classes. The first days weren't bad, lots of syllabus reading and getting to know the classes, just like I expected. Like I said, this last week went by fast but it was also a lot of work; at least two and a half hours a day of homework which is more than I personally ever did in high school. Along with that, Chelsie, my friend who is here, and I decided that we're going to work out five times a week, Sunday through Thursday. So we've kind of made a routine: I'm done with class everyday by two, so then we immediately go to the library for a few hours, finish our homework and then go to the Rec Center to work out and after that who knows.
I'm sure it's because it's the first week here, but kids are going crazy and wanting to go out every night even during the week. The first day of school, which was a Thursday, I went out with some girls we met and it was fun but this last week I went out on Thursday as well and my only advice to whomever is reading this (not trying to sound like a mom) but honestly remember that SCHOOL is the reason you are at college...not only to party...especially on school nights.
Meeting friends hasn't been as easy as I thought it would be (I'm not trying to scare you, but it's just different than I expected.) I switched high schools my junior year and it was amazingly easy to meet people. I'm pretty outgoing and social and within a few weeks I had made best friends. I guess it's only been a week and a half here, but I'm not sure that the people we're hanging out with now are going to be my best friends for life, like everyone talks about. We've met some guys, but again none that I can picture myself hanging out with every weekend; therefore, our goal for the week is to find cool BOYS. I'll let you know how that goes next week!
Well that's pretty much all I have for now, I'm sure there will be some exciting stories next week :)

Two Weeks to Go

After graduation, a whole summer was spread out before me, acting as a buffer to the fear and apprehension that the coming year would bring. However, slowly that summer has shrunk, until nothing remains of it but two flimsy weeks. As these months have drawn to a close, my excitement has built, but so has my anxiety. Now is a time of waiting; of buying the last few forgotten necessities, of crossing my fingers and hoping for a good roommate. I have already registered for classes and am able to begin imagining the late nights that await me. Two days before my registration day, I began tracking my classes, feeling my stress level rise every time more people joined a class that I was planning to enroll in. I imagined myself stuck with the reject classes that ended at nine at night.
Thankfully, Cal Poly freshmen get first choice in classes their first quarter so I was able to get all the classes that I desired. I am wait listed for one, which in itself will be an experience. My biggest worry right now concerns my roommate. It overshadows the classes I plan to take and the friends I will be making. More than anything, I just want someone that I can relate to. I’m not asking to love them, just that we will tolerate one another. Unlike some schools that match roommates up by interests and priorities, the only commonality that my roommate and I are sure to share is that we don’t smoke. So for now, my time will be spent tying up loose ends; buying the last items on my numerous checklists, corresponding with my roommate, and soaking up my time with family and friends.