My (Fourth) First Day of College
Reflecting on all of my first days of class at Vanderbilt, I’ve come to realize that no two beginnings of a semester are ever the same.
First semester freshman year prompted pencil pouches, pre-bought books, printed syllabi, and knowledge of each professor’s last name (not to mention whether or not he or she should be addressed as Doctor or Professor). I was overwhelmed by the workload to come, the lack of familiar faces in my lectures, and the trek from Commons to Main Campus. Plus, I still had major anxiety about how to use the meal plan correctly—no one explains the entrée and side deal.
As my second and third first days rolled around, I started to ease into the familiarity of Buttrick and Benson. I even pushed my departure from 30 minutes before class to 20 – living on the edge, I know.
As I embark on my second semester of sophomore year, my adjustment took a bit of a 180. I arrived from my winter break at 3:00 am the night before classes. In short, I’ve found that I have traded my nervousness and preparation for excitement and open-ended opportunities. While some may call my approach to the new semester a tad too laid back, I’ve become so much more comfortable on campus and entering classes I know nothing about or no one in. Although it takes some time to finalize your schedule, I’ve learned that it’s not the end of the world to move classes around.
I spent my fourth first day with no pencil pouch, trying out classes out of my comfort zone, learning the professors’ names as I go, and enjoying the uncertainty that the coming semester will bring.
Reflecting, I now know Vanderbilt is the place for me. The best part is that I still have four more first days to go.