Day 1: The dreaded move-in
Being an out-of-stater, coming to MU was a really scary experience. I literally did not know anyone. And no, I am not one of those “out-of-state” kids from Chicago who insists that they don’t know anyone coming to school here (Don’t lie, I think I’ve met more Chicago-area natives than Missourians thus far. I’m convinced it’s a cult.)
This was the big leagues, my first day as a college student. I said my good-byes to my parents as they walked away, wiping a tear and sniffling in rhythm with each step. A victim of that uncomfortable “So…what now?” moment, I start to organize my closet that has been stuffed to capacity, I’m convinced, and I sit. I sit and I look around, wondering what in the world I am doing here. Why did I think it would be a good idea to leave my entire life behind? This whole coming-of-age thing is not working out for me. Educational experience? Probably not worth it.
Day 2: Awkward non-family bathrooms
Once I begin settling in, everything falls into place. Floor lounges are definitely the way to go if you want to meet people. But the scariest part about college? The bathrooms! Who in the world decided that community bathrooms were a good idea? I’m not a prude, but I hate the idea of a ton of girls piling into the same bathroom every day. I don’t care how often you clean it, girls will agree with me when I say we can be gross. Really gross and messy. It’s just a bad combination for everyone. Plus, the fact that you virtually have no privacy can really be a pain. On a scale of one to uncomfortable, this is AwkwardFamilyPhotos.com.
Day 3: Are you joking?
This always seems to be my response when it comes to silly logistical things around campus. The long lines at the bookstore, the occasional mediocre food and even the crowds that flood the laundry room cause me to ask myself, “Are you joking?” However, I don’t mean it in a “David-After-Dentist-is-this-real-life” kind of way. I mean it in a “Why-is-everything-so-frustrating” kind of way. College can be annoying.
Day 4: Boredom = time to get started on that Freshman 15?
As cute as it is for MU to organize Fall Welcome events, it certainly gives students a lot of downtime. What in the world am I supposed to do? Be productive? Don’t be ridiculous. That is for when classes start (maybe). Until then, I guess I will just play gratuitous amounts of retro video games and eat pizza (as long as Freshman 15 is already a thing, why not indulge?). The Student Recreation Complex is nice to look at, but I suppose I love the idea of the rec more than I actually want to go exercise. I have to get going, the pizza guy is here.
Day 5: Anxiety
When it comes to planning for college classes, it is almost as if there is really no right or wrong way to go about it. Textbooks? Check. Notebooks? Check. But what else do I need? I wish there was some kind of magic formula that figured all of this out for me. Also, finding classes is going to be so scary. Why in the world do I have an English class in an engineering building? I am so beyond confused.
Day 6: Classageddon
Well, today has been a mess and a half. I go to my first lecture and plop down in a front row seat, pull out my books and wait eagerly for class to begin. However, I soon realized that I had somehow managed to go into a hall of 500 people who are taking calculus. That would be fine if I was actually math literate. So… this isn’t Political Science 1100. I use every fiber of my being to not pass out while I slowly pack up my things and dart out of the lecture hall. Of course the only exit is in the back of the room, so I have to look at my shoes, try not to trip and avoid eye contact with all the upperclassmen. How embarrassing. Will college ever make sense?
Ali Colwell is a freshman who is coping with “Awkward non-family Bathrooms” and English classes in an engineering building. Her story is exaggerated.