High Point University

My freshman year experience: What I learned this year

By Ally Ortolani//Staff Writer

I am not here to say that my first year at High Point University has been the absolute best without any complications. Reflecting on the past two semesters, I have experienced astronomical change in all aspects of my life. I made friends, lost friends, experienced homesickness, developed insomnia and struggled with maintaining a perfect image. I am also not saying that my first year experience was horrible; in fact, I have accomplished many things that I never thought I could. Academically, I exceeded my expectations, and was able to achieve a 4.0 this semester. I built close relationships with several of my professors, as well as my success coach. Freshman year has been a whirlwind of events, but I definitely believe that I have matured into the person I am currently.

 As I said, freshman year wasn’t completely perfect. I have been surrounded by the same friends for all my life until I came to HPU, and establishing a new friend group, or even making new friends, wasn’t something I had much experience with.

The first month of freshman year seemed oddly perfect. Nothing was wrong, something that I haven’t experienced in quite some time. I had a friend group, my social life was fairly decent, and I was getting involved in extracurriculars. I often ask myself: “Where did everything go wrong?”

After a month of school, the friend group I hung out with started to fizzle. Don’t get me wrong, I am not writing this to bash anyone. The people I used to associate with are all great people, but we simply didn’t mesh well together and I do wish them the absolute best.

Despite the calamity and adversity I faced my freshman year, I recognize the immense accomplishments I have made. Perhaps my falling out with the friends I initially made allowed me to focus on academics, which, after all, is why I came to college in the first place. I dedicated copious amounts of time to studying, and I attempted to become involved on campus as much as I could. I joined the National Broadcasting Society Club, and of course, the Campus Chronicle, along with other various clubs and activities on campus. My grades and GPA exceeded my expectations, which made my parents quite happy. I’m here to say that it’s okay to not go out and party with the normal crowd. It’s okay to stay in and focus on yourself.

Your first year of college is all about starting to discover who you want to be. You learn what kinds of people you want to surround yourself with. Your first year sets you up for the rest of your college career, but it’s also okay to make mistakes. That’s part of what college is for.  If you fail a class or decide to switch majors, it is possible and not the end of the world. Learn who you want to be and who you want to become.

So, here I am today, still young, naive and definitely a little reckless. My debilitating anxiety and undiagnosed insomnia probably weren’t highlights of my freshman year, but I somehow managed to accomplish great things.

Freshman year isn’t always as glamorous as it is made out to be, and it is undoubtedly normal to undergo feelings of homesickness. I have become a better and stronger person during my first year and have a lot to be thankful for. I have started to define who I want to be during my first year of college, and I can’t wait to see what happens in the coming years. Sophomore year, here I come.