Hilary Duff says, “Where Did I Go Right?”

by Kathleen, a Patriot Blogger

I open the door, finding my triple dark and quiet. I tiptoe in the room, gently shutting the door, and peer onto the bunk to make sure I was alone.

Realizing that I was, I sank into my chair.

As the last week of classes speeds by and assignments are being knocked out…as finals are approaching and new material is being covered…as you think about saying goodbye to your friends, either forever or for a month, everything hits you at once.

I’m sitting here, soup in hand and tissues nearby, “flushing” out the virus that consumes me at this time. Nevertheless, I’m still smiling, celebrating the lack of a chemistry lab practical. So, what to blog about…

A recap of the whole semester.

I made a YouTube video from random footage I forgot that I had, incorporating every person on my floor, as a ‘thank you’ to Madison Second for becoming my second family.

Somehow, amidst all the changes and the new atmosphere, things went right. Classic Kathleen though-process but there’s a Hilary Duff song “where did I go right” and now is when the meaning hits me: I’ve picked the right university, I’ve picked an interesting major, and I’ve made new friends and joined various clubs.

Things really do fall into place; it’s all about finding your niche and sticking with it. As a freshman, I was worried by all-consuming thoughts, not unlike the virus within me now, about my first semester: will I find my classes, will people accept me, will I be too overwhelmed, will I even get homesick?

The truth is, things will fall into place if you are open-minded. Picking a major is overwhelming, or even changing the one from which you come in with, but it’s worth the journey. Trying and crossing off clubs can be somewhat time-consuming, but you learn more about yourself along the way. You might be trepid at first about being who you really are, but it’s okay to be yourself to discover those who can connect with you, too.

Sometimes it’s scary to branch out, but that’s what college is about—growing up and forming the best version of you that you can. Obviously this process for me is not complete, as I’m only a first semester student, but I feel like it’s the first month that can truly define you: what choices you make can develop a pattern for the rest of your life.

Now I’m not saying these reflective thoughts to make anyone worry about the pressure about coming to terms with reality, your future, or anything else. I’m sharing these epiphanies with you (as I love sharing epiphanies through blogs and videos) because they do happen and it’s calming to know that it’s totally feasible to achieve whatever you want to achieve in the first semester, if you see the opportunities available and grasp them while you can.

How hard do you have to grasp these opportunities? Well, if you see a study abroad trip and you wonder if it’s too early, worthwhile, or too extreme of a chance to take, still take it.

For example, as a first semester freshman I am going to the UK, knowing no one on my trip aside from interactions during orientation. But I know it’s a great opportunity to meet people at GMU, see amazing cultural and historical places while traveling, and take classes internationally!

So, my friends, if you’re overwhelmed the next few weeks, keep your eye on the prize! And don’t worry about being bored this winter break—I will be sharing all of my stories from the UK with you, right here J

Have a reasonably stress-free next couple of weeks, fighting off viruses with one hand and clutching a pen in the other.