The College Experience

After being out of college for a few months, I've had time to reflect on a lot of things. I wasn't really raised in a Christian home, so going to Roberts (a private, Christian college) was definitely a culture shock. I had some experiences that I never dreamed I would have in college.

1. How naive some students are is as refreshing as it is scary. In a world where innocence is lost at such a young age, it was refreshing to see some of these students still retain that innocence. It was kind of scary at the same time. Things that I learned about the world, my body, and just life in general seemed foreign to some of these students. I can't even tell you the things I overheard from fellow students that just made my jaw drop. One example is when a man asked me if men could orgasm. 
2. I thought a lot of the students looked pretty much the same. I had never seen so many girls wearing tights as pants, Ugg boots, and with the same messy bun all congregated in the same place in my life. I'm not proud to admit that by the end of my time at Roberts, I did have the messy bun, occasionally wore tights as pants (not my proudest moments), and once I wore Uggs with my tights. Again, not my proudest moment. I came to college with black hair, questionable outfits (mostly wearing black and showing what little cleavage I had), and I had a scowl permanently painted on my face. I never felt so out of place in my life. Who knew a smile here and there could change your entire outlook on life.
3. I've never seen so many college-aged people who treated dating like it was a foreign subject. So many young men and women felt awkward even talking to the opposite sex. I've also never met so many people who have never had a boyfriend/girlfriend by the time they start college. Then, some of these people get married to their first ever boyfriend/girlfriend and are happy. I respect that people have such self-control to not date until college and then that they found the person they want to spend the rest of their life with.
4. Open hours? I was lucky to have such relaxed parents when it comes to dating and having guy friends over at the house when I was in high school. Dorm life was different. The idea of open hours was so foreign to me. What do you mean I can't go visit my friends before dinner? What do you mean we can't hang out and play video games until 1am? Let's be honest, students were pretty good at sneaking in and out of dorms.
5. Conversations with professors you've come to know over your four years can end like this:

“So, are you getting married soon?”

“Oh, I’m not sure. I’m not even engaged.”

“Well do you have a boyfriend.”

“Not right now.”

“Do you have any prospects?”
“Nope, not right now. I’m kind of enjoying what life has right now.”

“Oh…Well I guess if that makes you happy."

Enough said.

Honestly, I absolutely loved my four and a half years at Roberts. I've loved so many of the experiences I've had and so many of the people that I've met. These people and experiences helped me become the person I am today. Never have I grown so much as a Christian, a person, and a musician. I had so many great times that I wouldn't change for the world.