What I Wish I Had Known On Decision Day

For seniors in high school, decision day for college is May 1. This past week was decision day and I felt so much nostalgia seeing the senior's announcements on social media of where they'll be headed in the fall. Looking back on this year, I never would have imagined I would find myself in the position that I am in right now. When people ask me if I'm transferring, I don't have an answer for them. When people ask me if things have gotten better at Lehigh, I definitely say yes, but something about my answer doesn't seem honest or complete. Since decision day last year, I have grown, changed, and experienced so much that I really never would have expected for myself. It's insane the kind of curveballs that college (and life!) can throw at you.

...and there are definitely things that no one told me before I got to college. There are so many things I wish I had known on decision day before I had my last prom, my last weeks of high school, and my graduation, final memories, and one of the best summers that I have had.

decision day 2016!

First: I wish I would have known just how special those last weeks are. For me, I wouldn't go so far as to say that I "peaked" in high school, but looking at pictures from my senior prom, my graduation and all of the graduation parties... I wish I would have known just how much those memories would mean to me. I wouldn't have done anything differently, but I could have appreciated those moments so much more. Those days and weeks leading up to the departure for college were some of my most fond times with my friends and at home, and I never ever realized how much I loved my life at home until it wasn't my life anymore. Of course, this isn't the case for everyone, because there are people packing up their dorm rooms right now probably near tears not wanting to leave. 

That's number two: everyone's college experience is different. I can't tell you a single one or two of my friend's that have had even remotely similar experience at school this past year. One of my best friend's hated first semester, and now she is more in love with her school than she ever would have thought. Another one of my best friends loved her first semester, and now she's transferring. Then, there are those people who have absolutely loved college from the day they pulled up. And, there are so many people in between all of those variations. No one has the same experience, and on decision day I wish I would have known that the college or university name on your shirt means so much less once you get there. There are so many girls who graduated with me and went to the University of Wisconsin, and a ton of them are having the best time. But, there are also girls that went and aren't loving it. Everyone's experience is different; it doesn't matter where you go, just what you make of your college experience.

So, I have exactly one week until I'm done with finals and I leave Lehigh for the summer. Or, forever. Honestly, I don't know what my plan is! I get asked about it at least once a day... am I staying at Lehigh or am I transferring, and I just don't know. I don't want to get into too many details because there is really so much up in the air right now, but I am kind of excited to see what happens. No matter what, things will work out! I am also so excited for all of the seniors heading into college in the fall. College really is a time of independence and self-discovery, and it's an amazing opportunity that we should all feel grateful to have.

Happy Monday, and happy finals week to any of the other peeps studying out there!

xoxo