Freshman year is a rollercoaster. One minute you’re having the time of your life, the next you’re crying in the dorm bathroom because you failed your first test, texted the wrong guy, or got rejected from the sorority you swore you were meant to be in. I’ve been there. And let me tell you—you will survive.
So, if you’re an incoming freshman, here’s a little real talk from someone who’s been through it all (and is now a fifth-year senior still figuring things out).
Rush Will Feel Like the End of the World—But It’s Not
If you’re going through sorority recruitment, buckle up. It will be one of the most mentally and physically exhausting weeks of your life. You will be sweaty, stressed, and overanalyzing every conversation you have. And if you’re anything like me, you might not end up in the house you thought you were meant to be in.
But for me? Rush wasn’t even normal. It was on Zoom—which meant I wasn’t just going through an already nerve-wracking process, but I was basically on FaceTime with a ton of girls who didn’t even know me. There was no real way to feel connected or to get a real sense of what these sororities were actually like. It was awkward, draining, and didn’t feel as special as I had always imagined it would be.
I went into rush thinking I was a shoo-in for a specific sorority. I had so many friends in that house, I had over 15 rec letters, and I was constantly being told “Oh, I would just love it if you were my sister!” I felt so confident that this was my house. I had built up the idea of being part of this sorority so much that I never even considered that it wouldn’t work out.
And then… I got dropped on Philanthropy Round.
I was crushed. I remember seeing my schedule, realizing they weren’t there, and feeling like my world just fell apart. It sounds dramatic, but at that moment, it felt like rejection on a whole new level. I seriously considered dropping out of recruitment altogether. And honestly? I kind of did.
I finished out my rounds, but I wasn’t in love with any of the houses I had left. I felt like I was just going through the motions without any excitement. In the end, I ended up getting a bid from a sorority, but that’s a whole other story.
But here’s the thing: Even though rush didn’t go how I wanted, I’m so glad I did it.
Going through recruitment introduced me to so many girls who became lifelong friends—girls who were in my classes, on my hall, and who made my college experience better. If I hadn’t rushed, I know I would have felt left out seeing everyone else getting dressed up for date parties, swaps, and big-little reveals.
More than anything, rush taught me how to handle rejection and turn it into something positive. I went into recruitment thinking I had everything lined up perfectly, and life reminded me it doesn’t always work that way. But instead of letting it ruin my college experience, I learned to adapt, move forward, and find where I was truly meant to be.
So if your rush experience doesn’t go the way you planned? It’s okay. You will still find your people, your place, and your moments that make college feel like home. Trust the process.
COVID Stole My Freshman Year, But I Made the Best of It
I didn’t have the normal freshman year experience because of COVID. Everything was weird—limited events, canceled parties, and meeting people was way harder than usual. If you’re coming into college in a time of uncertainty, just roll with it.
Most of my classes were online, which meant I was stuck staring at a screen for hours instead of actually experiencing college life. And to make it worse, I started out in a small major, which meant I knew a ton of girls in my program—but I wasn’t even interested in what I was studying. Sitting through three-hour Zoom lectures for a major I didn’t love? Yeah, not it for me.
But the absolute worst part? The way the school handled COVID exposures.
They had already cut the semester short—we started in August, finished the week of Thanksgiving, and didn’t come back until late January. Then we wrapped up early in March. But even with that modified schedule, getting exposed to COVID was basically a one-way ticket to exile.
The Quarantine Hotel From Hell
During my first semester, I was around someone who tested positive, so I got the call. They told me I had 30 minutes to grab my stuff and get out of my dorm. Oh, and my key card—which gave me access to my dorm and basically everywhere on campus—would be deactivated.
So where did they send me? A hotel across the street from the frats.
I thought, Okay, maybe this won’t be too bad. But when I got to my room, I saw the literal plank of wood over my window. No sunlight, no view, just a slab of wood blocking out the outside world. I lost all concept of time—I never knew if it was day or night in there. It was like living in a quarantine cave.
Then, the food situation? A nightmare.
I went two full days without food because I kept missing the pickup window. They would drop off meals in the hall, spray them down with chemicals, and if you weren’t there at the exact time, you were out of luck. I physically couldn’t eat the food after it had been sprayed.
And the best part? The person who exposed me got to walk free, doing whatever they wanted, mocking me for being stuck in isolation. These were the people I thought were my friends.
The Lie That Got Me Out
At this point, I had been in the hotel for five days, and there was no clear plan for when I could leave. Technically, you couldn’t even start your quarantine clock until you got tested. But getting tested? Basically impossible.
So, I did what I had to do. I lied and said I had symptoms just so I could get an appointment at the student health center. I needed to know if I was positive or negative, so I could at least start the countdown to freedom.
After finally testing negative, I made the decision to go home and finish my quarantine there. Another week and a half locked away—but this time, with my family. And even though I love my family, it was hell.
Making the Best of a Mess
Freshman year wasn’t what I imagined. It was isolating, frustrating, and full of situations that no one prepared me for. But even with all of that, I made the best of it.
I said yes to the small moments that made college feel real—
Waffle House runs at 3 AM with whoever we could round up.
Random dorm movie nights that turned into lifelong friendships.
Becoming best friends with people on my hall, because when life is chaotic, you stick with the people who make it better.
Final Thoughts: Rolling With It
If you’re starting college and things feel uncertain, messy, or just completely different than what you imagined—you’re not alone. But here’s the thing—freshman year is about adapting. It’s about making the most of what you have, rolling with the unexpected, and saying yes to the moments that matter.
It won’t always be easy or fair. Sometimes, it’ll straight-up suck. But if you lean into the chaos, I promise—it’s worth it.
You’re Not Going to Meet "Your Person" Right Away—And That’s Okay
There is so much pressure to find your people immediately. Your best friends, your soulmate, your future bridesmaids, your “forever” crew—but the truth is, that takes time.
Not every person you meet is going to be your best friend, and not every guy you talk to is going to be “the one.” And that’s okay. Some people are just meant to be fun for a season, and some will stick around forever. Heck, I’m in my fifth year of college, and I still haven’t met my person. So don’t stress about it—they’ll come when they’re supposed to.
Now, let me tell you… I thought I met “the right one” about every other week.
I was absolutely in love with the frat boys—it’s like I couldn’t escape them. I might even need to turn this into another blog post just to explain this one guy, but for now, let’s start with October of my freshman year.
I met this boy, and I was absolutely enamored with him. The kind of crush where you’re daydreaming about your future together after, like, two conversations. I was convinced he was the one.
Spoiler alert: By Christmas break, we stopped talking completely (which, again, is a whole other story), but let’s just say… me and this man can’t even stand to be in the same room anymore. So yeah. That one didn’t exactly pan out.
And then… there’s the blind setups from your friends.
Let me tell you, this is a crazy ride. You never know what you’re going to get. One day, your friends are hyping up a guy, telling you, “Oh my God, you’re going to love him,” and the next thing you know, a man named Virgin Vinny shows up, and everyone just expects you to fall in love.
Well, let’s just say, no love was found that day. But you know what? I got a friend out of it and some hilarious memories.
Then, of course, there’s the small-town connection.
One night, I met a guy at the frat house who was from near my hometown. We clicked, and the next thing I knew, I was hanging out with him at a date party after his original date ditched him. Sometimes, these random connections turn into something real, and sometimes… they just turn into a funny story you bring up years later.
And finally, there’s the classic “revisiting the past” moment.
Sometimes, you start talking to a guy you were into during first semester, thinking maybe this time will be different. But then, after a few weeks, you both realize… y’all are way better off as friends.
Finding Your Best Friends Takes Time
You’re not going to find your ride-or-dies in the first week of school. I mean, I was lucky enough to meet mine early—she lived right across the hall from me, and I started sleeping on her futon almost immediately. (No, literally that's how I met her. She let me sleep on her futon because my roommate locked me out.) But even then, we weren’t best friends right away. It took time for our friendship to grow, and looking back, I’m so grateful it did.
But with other friendships I made that semester? Some were only meant to last a season.
At first, I thought I had found my group. We were inseparable. But as time went on, I realized I wanted to start going out more, meet more people, and expand my circle. And sometimes, that just means growing apart.
And then, of course, there’s the messy side of friendships.
Not Every Friendship is Meant to Last
Nothing humbles you more than finding out the two girls you considered your best friends had been texting about you behind your back for weeks—saying how annoying you were and things that, to this day, I’d rather not even repeat.
And what made it even worse? One of them was literally sleeping in my roommate’s bed because she didn’t want to go home, and the other was texting me to pick her up because I was the sober driver.
To say I was a little tweaked when I found those messages would be an understatement. Did I take screenshots? Absolutely. Was I mad? You have no idea. But looking back, it was a blessing in disguise.
Because after all of that? I finally found my real people.
Finding My Crew
Once I let go of the friendships that weren’t meant to last, I became part of one of the best friend groups I’ve ever had.
At first, it was three girls and two frat guys. Then, as the dynamics shifted, it became three frat guys and three girls. And when I say we did everything together, I mean everything.
We went on many random road trip, dinner dates, and every Waffle House run. If you saw one of us, you saw all of us.
And to this day, I’m still best friends with all three of the guys and one of the girls. Out of everything I’ve done in college, I consider those friendships to be one of my biggest accomplishments.
The Bottom Line? Stop Rushing It.
Freshman year (and honestly, all of college) is not the time to stress about finding "your person." You’ll meet so many different people, and most of them aren’t meant to stay forever—and that’s a good thing.
So enjoy the ride. Enjoy the date parties, the setups, the awkward first conversations, and the hilarious mistakes. Because one day, you’ll look back and realize that every “wrong” person just got you one step closer to the right one.
Make Friends With People on Your Hall
Your dorm isn’t just a place to sleep—it’s where some of your best memories will be made. The people living around you? They might just become your future roommates, your lifelong friends, or the people who help you survive your first year.
These are the girls who will check on you when you’re sick. The ones who will offer to drive you to class when you don’t want to walk or will drag you to the union or cafeteria so you don’t have to eat alone. These are the girls you will pregame with, cry with, laugh with, and pull all-nighters with.
They’re the ones who will see you in the study room and turn it into a full-on study party—before you know it, there are 10-15 girls crammed into the tiniest room on a random Wednesday, quizzing each other, helping with homework, and just trying to survive the semester together.
They’re the ones who will walk in on you kissing a guy just to yell at you for not answering their phone calls. The ones you will share your makeup and clothes with. The ones who will see you at your best and your absolute worst—and love you anyway.
They are also the people who will completely clean and reorganize your dorm room while your roommate is out of town—right before winter break, during the week of exams, in the middle of quiet hours, because why not? If that’s not peak freshman year behavior, I don’t know what is.
When I had surgery freshman year, I had a rotation of girls in and out of my room at all times for the first two weeks I was back. And let me tell you, 12-15 girls packed into my tiny dorm room, talking about winter break, boys, life, and just keeping me company because they knew I couldn’t go out—that made me feel so special. My roommate, on the other hand, was not a big fan (oops).
But moments like that? That’s what freshman year is about.
So be the person who invites people to hang out. Host painting parties. Have movie marathons. Make the most of this time, because you don’t get to experience freshman year like this ever again. Take advantage of it.
Mistakes? You’re Going to Make Them. And That’s Fine.
It’s okay if you go home with the wrong person and regret it the next morning, swearing to your friends that never again will you let a random man with a bad haircut and a questionable major sweet-talk you at the frat. It’s okay if you fail a test because, for the first time in your life, you realize that high school didn’t actually teach you how to study, and now you’re staring at a Scantron wondering if you even read the right chapter. It’s okay if you miss a few of your parents’ calls because you’re busy figuring out how to balance classes, social life, and maybe eating a vegetable every once in a while. It’s okay if you party too much one weekend, only to decide that next weekend, you just want to lay in bed, binge-watch Netflix, and pretend the outside world doesn’t exist. It’s okay if you have no clue what you’re doing—because, let’s be real, none of us did.
It’s also okay if your friends have to physically sit outside your dorm room—three big frat boys and two sorority girls—just to make sure you don’t go on a midnight walk alone or disappear into the night, only to have a mutual friend return you like a lost puppy. And it’s definitely okay if you find yourself crying in the shower over something that probably wasn’t that deep, only for Rob to try and turn the shower on to get you out. Except, instead of it working, you somehow maneuvered out of the way, grabbed the showerhead, and ended up soaking him, another girl, and the entire bathroom walkway.
Freshman year is about figuring it out as you go. You’ll make mistakes, you’ll learn from them, and one day, you’ll laugh about them. The things that feel life-altering now will eventually become funny stories you tell at brunch. So don’t stress too much—just live, learn, and move on.
Date Parties, Frat Houses, and The Art of Not Overdoing It
Date parties freshman year? A rite of passage. But let me give you a piece of advice:
Don’t get absolutely destroyed at the pregame.
I know, I know—it’s easy to get carried away, but you actually want to remember the date party you spent hours getting ready for. Pregame responsibly so you don’t end up missing half the night or waking up with zero memory of it.
And please, for the love of everything, do not be that girl who gets told she can’t go because she’s too drunk before the party even starts. It’s embarrassing. And if you’re the date? Don’t be a bad one. You don’t want to be the reason your guy gets the “yeah, don’t bring her again” talk from his brothers.
Be a fun, respectable, all-around good time, and trust me—you’ll get invited back.
Frat Houses: More Than Just the Party Spot
And if you find yourself hanging out at a frat house a little too often, don’t worry—you’re not alone. Some of my favorite nights were spent doing homework at the frat house, pulling all-nighters, and goofing off with my friends.
One night, one of our hallmates got super sick and called me and two of my friends for help. We had been hanging out at the frat house, but as soon as we got the call, we rushed back to the dorms and sped to the emergency room.
Now, here’s where it gets chaotic.
It was at least 1 AM when we were driving through campus, going way too fast, when a cat ran into the road. I swerved to try and miss it… let’s just say, I didn’t miss the cat. And, because I was speeding and swerving like a maniac, we got pulled over.
So now, picture this: Three panicked, slightly sleep-deprived freshmen trying to explain to the cop that we were not drunk, just rushing our friend to the hospital after an already traumatic experience of potentially hitting a cat.
After a few minutes of pure chaos and terror, the cop ended up giving us a police escort to the hospital. And guess who was waiting for us when we got there?
Our frat friends.
They showed up, picked us up from the hospital, dropped off a brother to stay with our friend in the ER, and even brought a phone charger because they knew we had all forgotten ours. Then, because my art project was still due at 8 AM, they took me back to the frat house so I could finish it.
And after all that? We decided to go watch the sunrise at the refuge before making it back just in time for my 8 AM.
The All-Nighter Madness
Speaking of all-nighters—
One time, Katie and I pulled two all-nighters in a row. By the time the sun came up, we were so delirious that we swore we saw a cow crossing the road on our way to the refuge.
Was there actually a cow? Probably not. But we will never be convinced otherwise.
Waffle House: The Freshman Year Staple
And let’s talk about Waffle House.
It became a tradition for Katie and me. We’d go with whoever we could round up, and we went so often that Katie ended up with a collection of Waffle House cups from almost every visit.
We went so much that we became regulars—like, first-name basis with the staff regulars.
And one night? When they had to close for cleaning, the cook literally taught us how to throw knives and throwing stars. Because, obviously, that’s the logical thing to do at Waffle House at 3 AM.
Freshman Year is About the Stories—Make Them Count
At the end of the day, freshman year isn’t about perfection. It’s about the chaos, the unexpected moments, and the memories that you’ll laugh about for years.
So go to the date party. Pregame responsibly. Do your homework at the frat house (or at least pretend to). Stay up way too late. Go to Waffle House at 3 AM.
Because trust me—these are the stories you’ll remember forever.
Breaks: The Best and Worst Time of the Year
Going home for break is a weird mix of amazing and awful.
The best part? You don’t have to buy groceries, pay for gas, or do your own laundry. It’s the little luxuries you never appreciated before, like a fully stocked fridge and waking up without the stress of assignments looming over you. You actually get to catch up on sleep without worrying about an early class or a frat party keeping you up all night. And of course, you get to reunite with your hometown friends and pets, which, let’s be honest, are the real MVPs of going home.
But then, there’s the downside.
The second you walk through the door, you suddenly lose all your independence. After months of doing whatever you want, whenever you want, you’re back under your parents' roof, where you have to answer a million questions about your classes, your love life, and what you’re planning to do with your future. And let’s not forget about the boredom. The first few days feel like a much-needed reset, but by day four, you’re staring at the wall, wondering how you ever survived living at home full-time.
And, of course, there’s the classic Christmas break talking stage. You text one guy all of break, thinking maybe, just maybe this could be something, only for him to completely disappear the second you get back to school. At this point, it’s practically a tradition. You know it’s coming, yet every year, you let yourself think this time will be different. Spoiler: it never is.
Final Thoughts: Freshman Year is What You Make It
No one has a perfect freshman year. You’re going to make mistakes, you’re going to feel lost, and you’re going to wonder if you’re doing it right—but that’s all part of the experience.
So: Say yes to the random plans, even when you’re tired. Be open to new people, because you never know who will change your life. Take the stupid pictures, because one day, they’ll be your favorite memories. Go to the date parties, even if you have to third-wheel. Pull the all-nighters, even if you regret it the next morning. Go to Waffle House at 3 AM, because nothing bonds people like scattered, smothered, and covered hash browns.
Live it up.
Because before you know it, you’ll be a fifth-year senior, looking back and realizing that those were some of the best memories you’ve ever made.
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