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Freshmen: a clean slate awaits |
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Friday, 17 August 2007 |
My ears haven’t popped yet.
That’s what I remember thinking as I drove up the mountain to Appalachian State University as a wide-eyed and bushy-tailed freshman.
With everything I could fit into my Ford Contour and my mom’s Honda SUV, we made the drive from my hometown of Asheville to Boonevegas, N.C.
I think I focused on the inability of my ears to pop to keep myself from worrying about the year ahead of me.
What a year it was. I changed more my freshman year than I thought was possible.
It must be something about being 18 or moving away from home that sends
young adults into a whirlwind of emotions, changes and difficult
decisions.
I attribute most transformations during my first year at Appalachian to three major events.
Relationships
According to schooldating.org, less than 5 percent of high school relationships work out in the long run.
Although the ‘high school sweetheart’ relationship seems quite
important and romantic, the idea of a relationship becomes more mature
in college.
If you find yourself on the balancing beam of breaking up or sticking it out, I would break it off.
Heartache is not something fun to go through halfway through first semester.
After my break-up, I was forced to stand in the mirror and face who I
was, without a relationship and without constant approval from another
person.
Weight loss
According to momsnetwork.com, the majority of incoming freshmen will
gain the freshmen 15 if they increase their calories, decrease their
daily activity and manage poor diets.
However, with the beautiful mountain landscape at Appalachian,
ridiculous amount of opportunities for personal fitness and nearly
half-mile walks to class, I find it hard to believe that anyone can
gain the freshmen 15.
That is, unless they double fist beers and eat an entire pizza every night (which I can say I watched many do last year.)
So if you don’t want to go up a few pants sizes and have to buy new
jeans when you are already in debt from tuition, my suggestion is to
‘walk it out.’ Literally.
Make wise choices with your diet, take advantage of your atmosphere and
try not to eat dessert just because it’s included on your meal card.
Leaving the Nest
As the only ‘Tigar cub’ in our family, my mom and dad have been my best
friends, mentors and cheerleaders since the day I was born.
The biggest difference between living at home and living in Lovill,
apart from sharing a bathroom with 22 girls, was not having my cheering
section to come home to.
I was used to being congratulated for every little achievement I
accomplished every single day. In college, frankly, no one really cares.
If you find yourself feeling a little forgotten about or homesick,
remind yourself that you were accepted into this university for a
reason and you are doing a great job.
You could also try giving mom a call, I’m sure she’d appreciate it.
All in all, as a sophomore, a student orientation undergraduate leader
and a college woman, I would give simple advice to all freshmen:
Live, laugh, roll with the punches, remember that change is inevitable, and allow your ears to pop sooner than later.
Lindsay Tigar, a sophomore journalism and public relations major from Asheville, is the Lifestyles Editor.
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