Lessons of a Six Week Freshman

College. The institute of higher learning. The place where young men and women go to expand their minds and their worlds. I have now been among these students for six weeks. And what a ride it has been. I've already been challenged and taught in ways I never imagined. Interestingly enough, most of the important lessons I didn't learn from my classes or my proffessors, but from my peers and my experiences. I thought I'd share some of my new found wisdom with you... The lessons are as follows.

If you attend a college of 400 students, assume that everything you do and say will become talked about. I don't mean this in an egotisical way. I'm not saying that my life is of the greatest importance to every member of this college. But I am learning that if you say anything positive or negative it's going to come back to bite you in the bum.

Just because everyone around is a legal adult in age, it doesn't not mean that they are fully socially developed. Since arriving at college I have never met so many socially clueless people in my life. I'm not sure if I attract such people...or if there is just a lot of them. People who seem to have no concept of what polite conversation is or personal space. It's a bit unnerving.

Roomates are a most interesting concept. I'm not sure who came up with the idea of college roomates. But it is a strange idea to be sure. Take two total strangers, who may or may not have anything in common, place them in room no bigger than my thumb, pronounce them roomates, and say "live". Cassia, my roomie, has taught me a lot about how to peacefully co-exsist with another person. Everyone has their little quirks, learn to love them.

The home that you grew up in suddenly becomes your parents house. I went home for a visit over break last week only to discover that my house of 18 years was now my parents house. I felt like a guest who was visiting. It dawned on me then that I consider Providence my home now. Wierd.

Chivalry is not dead. Since arriving at Prov, I have met some wonderful young men. Guys who actually treat a girl like a lady. Opening doors, walking her back to dorm when it's dark, pulling out her chair. It's wonderfully refreshing to see.

Nothing is more wonderful than dorm life. I'd definatly say that living in dorm has been the best experience ever. I have so many great people in my dorm. It's like one giant slumber party. The girls I live with are becoming my closest friends. And they are constant sources of wisdom about how to survive classes, guys, and how to follow God with all you have. For example, yesterday I was having a really crappy day. And 3 of girls from my dorm spontaniously prayed for me. During dinner time, surrounded by people eating and talking, they offered my problem up to God. And then they took me to a movie to cheer me up. :) I heart dorm life.

-Em