Freshman year was weird.
It was fun, challenging, made me want to drop out and move to California and made me question why I couldn’t skip high school and come straight to State. It’s mind blowing to think it’s over and I’m moving on to sophomore year.
Yes, my two semesters at UPark were polar opposites. Fall 2013 was the time of my life, while during spring 2014 I was ready to transfer. But I wouldn’t change a thing. If I hadn’t come here… well, who knows what would have happened? My experiences, my friends, my life would be totally different and I don’t know if that’s a good thing.
I’ve had amazing experiences at State. Some I probably shouldn’t tell my parents, some they know all about. Each one has taught me something I didn’t know before, and I wouldn’t trade that for anything. So thank you, Dear Old State, for helping me keep it real my freshman year, and for teaching me things like this:
- “Beer before liquor, never sicker,” was made up for a reason. It’s a real thing, you guys.
- Don’t be afraid to dance like an idiot to “Turn Down For What.” That song was not meant to make you look cool.
- It’s perfectly acceptable to walk around the commons in your pajamas. Just make sure to wear a bra. You are not Carrie Bradshaw and this is not Sex and the City.
- It’s okay to let go of friends and to make new ones.
- When your parents get you drunk at a tailgate, roll with the punches. That will be a story to tell your kids one day.
- There’s no shame in eating an entire box of Pokey Stix by yourself.
- You don’t have to hookup with people just because everyone else is doing it.
- Do not turn studying for finals into a drinking game, no matter how much of a good idea it seems at the time.
- If someone with a car offers to take you to Walmart, pay them back with dinner.
- For the love of God, respect your roommate’s space. R-E-S-P-E-C-T folks, okay?
- If there’s someone you want to ask on a date, just do it.
- Don’t be afraid to tell your parents you love them.
- Don’t be afraid to tell your delivery guy you love them.
- Do swipe your friends in if they’re out of meal points. You’ll become the favorite. At least until you run out of meal points.
- And lastly, don’t take Penn State for granted. We have a good thing going here, and it’ll be over before we can blink.
Was this year rough? Yes. Was this year life-changing? Absolutely. Do I have any regrets? No. And that’s all thanks to Dear Old State.
See you in the fall, State College. It’s been a hell of a year.
