College. For the past summer, every incoming freshman has been obsessing over the idea of college. Whether it be from excitement or stress, freshmen are now encountering a life-changing experience head on. Freshmen can count on rebuilding their identity entirely anew, or exploring more about themselves throughout college. I agree it is worth it to try new hobbies, explore relationships, and to seek more out of life. However, I believe that college should help you define yourself as “you” and not to completely erase out your previous self.
Throughout high school, students are met with high expectations to guarantee a place in college — and I, like many others, was met with relief with the acceptance letter to Stevens. High school was nothing like I anticipated, and what has stuck with me is the loss of many friendships. Every now and then, I grieve those friends and moments we shared. It is hard to accept that those people were once an important part of my life, but why should I forget them? Instead, I choose to carry those memories forward with myself. I carry them through my sense of humor, sense of style, or the way I choose to express myself. I believe that people can have strong impacts on one another, so why remove that impact, especially if it is positive? Sure, people can also have negative impacts, but let that be the strength for you to continue and thrive. More importantly, you are no longer bound to those expectations and you have the freedom to discover what you want from yourself.
Furthermore, I encourage freshmen to not only rely on new experiences, but draw on past ones as a foundation on where to begin. In high school, everyone gets at least a sneak peek of their interests through clubs or classes. Volunteering has been one of my hobbies and one I will definitely start looking forward to continuing, especially in new settings and communities. Starting where you feel comfortable is not only natural, it is expected in college, but I think it should be a first step to discovering new interests. That is better said than done, believe me, but it is a part of why I am revisiting writing as a hobby. I was not a fan of writing, and I had a phase of trying to write stories, yet every time I began it felt more as an obligation rather than a genuine interest. Now, I feel confident in what my words have to say and feel ready to take on this challenge. Interests and hobbies should not feel like a requirement, so explore as much as possible to see if it is the right fit for you. As I mentioned earlier, past experiences are an excellent way to build a foundation of what you seek out in college. Whether it be negative or positive encounters, it will help uplift your choice at where to begin your journey.
Regardless of your choice, that is the freedom college provides, so take advantage of the opportunity to discover yourself. I hope you find the path that works best for you, but don’t sacrifice an identity of yourself and remain true to yourself.
