One Year Later

Bittersweet.

That’s how I’m feeling right now.
My freshman year of college is over. I can’t believe how fast it went by… Seems like just yesterday was move-in day.

But it wasn’t yesterday. It was nine months ago.
So much has happened during this school year. I’ve learned some, grown some, and made some friends.

And I’m going to miss them terribly.

When my first semester ended, I was really excited. It was Christmas time, and on top of that, I HAD SURVIVED COLLEGE! It could be done! ;)

But I’m not excited now. I’m not even relieved.

This has been the first time for as long as I can remember that I have not looked forward to summer. 

In fact, I’ve been dreading it ever since February. You see, I have made fantastic friends this year. Two of which are very special to me, and we’re super close. I’ve done everything with them this past semester, but now it’s summer. And they each live about two or so hours away from me.

I’m not going to be able to see them this summer. And this thought makes me really, really sad.

Summer’s only three months long. I keep reminding myself of that. Soon, we’ll all be back on campus together, and I can’t wait! <<That’s also something I’ve never done. I’ve never looked forward for school to start again on my first day of summer.

All throughout high school, I would hear adults say that you probably won’t stay best buds with your high school friends all your life, but the friends you make in college will be your friends forever.

And now, I can see how that statement is true. 

In high school, you would see the same people over and over again, everyday and in (most) every class. You were kinda forced to become friends with them.

But in college, you get to choose who you’re going to be friends with. You have to seek out friendships more than you’ve had to do previously. And you have to make time to be with your friends, since they may not be in class with you.

I’m not saying I like my college friends better than my high school friends. Not at all!

It’s just that (for me, at least,) the majority of the people I hung out with in high school weren’t my true friends. We would talk to each other during class, and eat lunch together (sometimes), but we never really hung out outside of school.

Exception: I know for a fact that I have five true friends from my high school (three from my graduating class) who I will keep up with. We’ve hung out once or twice during holidays, and we always like to hear what’s been going on in each other’s lives. I’m grateful for each of them.

The friendships I have made at college are real; I miss my friends already- and it hasn’t been an entire day yet!

So, as I look back over this year, all I can do is smile.

Smile because I have friends.
Smile because we had fun.
Smile because of the memories.

Posted by Kara Beth & filed under My Life. This post has 7 comments.