First semester of my freshman year in college came and went…
…second semester came and went…
…and that’s it. But what the heck!? How?
When I was leaving my dorm room for the last time on Friday, I ran into a guy who was in my group from FYSOP— the outreach program I did for my very first week at Boston University. We would say hi to each other on the streets or in the halls throughout the year whenever we saw each other, but this time, we were saying bye because we’re done with freshman year. I felt like we just met at FYSOP.
I guess that anecdote just sums up how weird it feels to be done with freshman year. But just as I learned a lot from my first semester, I learned plenty of great and small things from my second semester.
The Great and Small Things I Learned This Semester II
1. I am the slowest paper writer ever. It takes me an hour per page, at least.
2. People will judge me for my eating choices, but “you do you, I do me, we be civil.” (<— quoting my friend Charli)
Like when I whip out my jar of pb and bring an overly brown banana to the dining hall
3. This.
[source]
4. So many women and men who are close to you struggle with eating disorders. Be kind and gentle, and make resources known.
5. Anatomy and organic chemistry (as basic as those classes were in the grand scheme of things) taught me that the human body is ridiculously beautiful. God is quite the Architect.
6. That being said, anatomy and chem lab suck the life out of me.
7. How to ask other people to go on {friendly} lunch/dinner dates, as opposed to waiting to be asked.
8. Boston doesn’t play around when it comes to winter (*cough* 109 inches of snow).
9. Sometimes it’s worth hanging out with your friends for just a leeeeetle bit longer before digging into the books.
10. There is always time for prayer.
11. Just when I thought I couldn’t have a better roommate, she proves me wrong.
12. I often need to remind myself to step out of my comfort zone.
13. When finals come around and I need to be the most focused, I don’t want to do ANYTHING AT ALL and then motivating myself to study is like climbing Mt. Everest.
14. A little extra friendliness with the faculty and staff will truly make the campus a better place.
15. A little extra friendliness with anyone will truly make the world a better place.
16. Always check your meal plan balance— you never know when you’ll find an extra $185 of dining points in your account.
17. Music is a big part of my stress relief.
18. I miss dance and yoga.
19. I actually do like bacon.
20. How to be kinder and gentler, thanks to my very kind and gentle friends.
21. I have discovered the fun and motivation of a workout buddy.
22. Boston University food is better than Northeastern University food. Confirmed by the bro.
24. I’ll run, but only when I really feel like it.
25. Rachel and I can live for a week+ together without getting totally annoyed with each other 😉
26. The Boston Marathon energy is unreal and so inspiring!
27. Make sure to check footwear before walking out the door.
28. It’s okay to miss more workouts than usual.
29. I am not as punctual as I thought I was. #whoops
30. I curse more than I used to. #OhSh—Crap
31. How to take myself less seriously.
32. How to constantly strive for improvement with God’s help.
33. I have a family away from home, and it’s still growing!
34. I’m a better person coming out of my freshman year of college, thanks to said family.
35. Bitter goodbyes will just make for the sweetest hellos.
A special thank you goes out to my real family (Madre, Pop, and Ben) for being supportive and loving throughout my whole college experience. I literally could not do this without you!
I hope you all have a fabulous Tuesday!
So tell me:
Three things you’ve learned in 2015 so far (or from college this year).
One thing you can continue to improve in yourself.
Daily Moves and Grooves 
so glad your semester is over…and yes peanut butter is the boss!
OMG I AM ALSO THE SLOWEST PAPER WRITER. I just get so ocd, like solving a puzzle and I have to make it perfect and omg I can so relate
I learned 1. professors who don’t actually read your papers are the worst kind 2. 18 credits really is a lot of credits to take at once 3. the memories you could make going out with friends are sometimes far more valuble than staying in to study an extra few hours 🙂
i can improve: going out more and letting go of responsibility a bit more 😉
I’m the same exact way when I write my papers! I can’t draft. I have to just write and edit as I go!
I can also relate to your #2 and 3. 18 credits was crazy, but memories with friends made it a little more bearable 🙂
Love this girlie! Such a good reflection to round out your first year of college! I love the quote of “you do you”; it was a big theme during the girls night I had on Friday…we all have a certain way of how we live our life, but as long as we support each other as women, it shouldn’t matter. =) This year I have learned: 1. My ‘me’ time keeps me functioning at my best. 2. I have to do what works for me, no matter what pressure I feel is on me. 3. Living authentically is the best life to live.
And I know I can always continue to improve the positive and optimism I bring into this world.
Your girls night sounds awesome! It’s so true that we as women need to empower and support one another. And those are great lessons you’ve learned! I think I’ve learned those this year as well 🙂
Love this post and you seem much older (and wiser) than a freshman! Glad you had such a great year!
Thank you, Hayley 🙂
I love the brown banana. I actually like what most people might consider over ripe bananas, so I think I identify with that comment. 🙂
I think I can continue to improve a lot of things, but one thing is being patient. I always like things to happen quickly, get the answer quickly, move through life quickly, and this year I’m learning to SLOW down, to enjoy, to wait, and to cherish each moment. 🙂
Can’t wait to see you!!!!!!!! :))
Right?? I like to eat yellow bananas by themselves, but brown bananas are good for everything else.
Slowing down is something I need to remind myself to do more often as well. But also don’t beat yourself up over NOT slowing down 😉
I LOVE your food choices, I would never judge you, just envy 😉 or just eat the same with you, hehe. Love number 15. So true!
What are you planning to do next? (Besides meeting up with Arman – please do that asap and share all about it 🙂 )
I am currently in Colorado! I’ll share lots about it tomorrow 🙂 and I will DEFINITELY share my adventures with Arman, haha!
I love this, and I totally plan on doing a similar reflection when my year is over. I’ve gained so much knowledge this year – in and out of the classroom – and it sounds like you have, too! I’ve learned over and over that sometimes socializing can and should take precedence over studying and that it’s really valuable to admit when you don’t know things. That’s how you learn them!
And I can definitely improve with regard to being flexible and relaxing a little more. 🙂
It’s such a blessing that we can learn so much in such a short period of time. Best of luck with the rest of your year, Ellen!!
What a fantastic post!!!!!
almost all of these things ring true to me too! Especially number 1!!!
One thing I constantly have to remind myself is to say yes to things outside of my comfort zone and stop thinking so much. If I don’t try/do/experience/eat these things now,then when?! Can you say yolo?! Lol 🙈Worst case scenario is never as rough as living with regret
Thanks for always inspiring me and keeping me on my toes girl!
YOLO indeed! Still be careful though 😉 Wishing you all the best and praying for you!
This post just bursts with wisdom! The more I study biology/anatomy/chemistry/etc. the more I realize how amazing God is. For an incoming freshmen, I love hearing tips and tricks of college from real people. You are a blessing, Alison! Also… you can never have to much peanut butter! 😉
YOU are a blessing too, Alison! Thank you for your continued support and kind words. I hope to grow in friendship through blogging with ya, girl! ♥
Agh people need to learn that other’s eating habits are none of their business! It’s on of my biggest pet peeves, but I bet you always handled it like a champ.
I relate to 12 so much. This year was all about growing gin my confidence with the Lord and myself. I stepped out of my little bubble and had fun in ways I never expected to!