“So make the friendship bracelets, take the moment, and taste it. You’ve got no reason to be afraid. You’re on your own, kid Yeah you can face this” states Taylor Swift in her song “You’re On Your Own Kid.” I feel these first weeks have been that song. I am 18 almost 19 and feel the ups and downs of being a young adult. I feel this poetic love for freedom but it also is hard. If I told you I am always okay that would be a lie but I also am not totally failing I am getting the handle of my professors and classes. I also spend every day working on just being happy with myself which leads us to what it felt like these first few weeks. . . 

I have always been a very organized person. I plan things ahead. I never had anyone to make plans with because, in high school, I was involved in student council, theater, AP classes, two choirs, cross country, and more. You understand what I mean. I never had time to cultivate friendships because they were all within my clubs. I also worked at my local coffee shop on weekends.

So, during On Iowa! week, I decided to make some new friends. I’m quite the social butterfly. Anyway, I met many new people, and now I have a large group I can reach out to for hanging out, studying, grabbing coffee, going to the dining halls, and exploring other places.

Being spontaneous is new to me. Sometimes, I’ll receive a message from a friend about a market in Cedar Rapids, and without hesitation, I’ll walk over to the west end, hop into their mom’s car, and we’ll drive there, staying until 11:00 pm. And even though it was Sunday the next day, I’ll still have to get up early ’cause I promised to get coffee with somebody. (So when you see college students walking with bags under their eyes that’s why.) But it’s enjoyable. I don’t sleep well personally, so I find myself working on homework until 11:00 and then getting up at 5:00 to go to the rec center for a workout. That’s something that’s new to me.

I just can’t believe that people can change. I don’t recognize this new self. It’s fun and I am not as scared to be honest about how I feel and I have people who want me around. I am an overthinker so I would feel like I was intruding, but people in college genuinely want you to talk about real things and not how many of you were popular in high school. There are still mean people; don’t think that goes away. It just doesn’t phase you because the people that matter are so much more important now. I know if you’re reading this as an incoming college student, believe me when I say you will feel like the Taylor Swift lyrics “Happy, free, confused, and lonely at the same time.” It’s cathartic and at first, you will be overwhelmed, but then it will feel glorious.

While I don’t recognize myself, I still hold onto my morals. You can try things and say it’s for me. Most people judge you in high school. If you haven’t dated or had a first kiss, but here people don’t care much. Honestly, we think more about what we want from the dining hall and how we are going to get to our jobs from across the campus. So be true to yourself. If you don’t like to drink, don’t drink. As the sober, friend I tend to be the safest way my friends can call and I don’t mind.

If you always keep your room neat, don’t let your roommate completely keep it messy. Make sure you communicate with people. Usually, if you’re honest people will respect that. Lastly, be you. If you love to wear dresses then do it. I certainly turn heads but then again I like to sparkle and I feel so confident.

So as I close I want you to just know there is so much change but there is also so much fun to experience so don’t hesitate to say hello to people. Also if you see me on campus just say hello I always am up to a conversation. I will be bold and honest and I trust the good in every human, and I will never turn you down to have a conversation. I might be overly friendly at first but it’s because I am a people person. Well, I will end with another Taylor Swift quote for your week. “I never grew up, it’s getting so old.” I don’t feel like an adult half the time but are you ever really truly a grown-up? Honestly, it’s just numbers so be kind to yourself, and let’s see how my new era goes. Go Hawks!

Cheers,
Rose