Freshman Experience: Everything BUT School

Georgia Southern University has been known across the southern bible belt as one of the most underrated party schools in the country, according to Barstoolu. But this has been obvious to many of students that attend the school. Thank the heavens I had the opportunity to attend this college for my freshman and sophomore years. People always say you should get your crazy/party years out of your system while you can, and at this school there are MORE than enough opportunities to do this. It can be exciting, the best rush you have ever felt. If anything I learned 4 valuable things my freshman year at Georgia Southern:

1. DORM LIFE. Let's pray that you were able to pick your roommates. Either you knew them during high school, or even better they are your close friend. In that situation your are set. Then there's the random roommates. If you happen to be in this predicament first step is to figure out their name! From there creep, creep as much as you can. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram. Do it all. Figure out if you will have anything in common. If not you will know to just avoid your roommate. Yeah be friendly, but you are NOT obligated to hangout with them outside of being inside your dorm room.
2. SPORTING EVENTS. Beginning of the year is when football season starts. And to every human being in the South this is kind of a big deal. The only advice I have to give on this matter is attend the football games. Tailgate, play cornhole, cookout, and cheer on the home team. It will be some of the greatest memories you will ever create. This includes attending baseball games, and participating in as many intramural sports as possible. 
3. RELATIONSHIPS. Coming from someone who has spent half her college experience in a relationship, I say try to avoid them as much as possible. If it happens, then it happens. All I have to say is make sure you love yourself completely before inviting another person into your heart. College is a confusing time and everyone should figure out what they want out of life before finding the one.
4. PARTYING. One topic I could discuss for days. The only important part of college partying is to be smart & safe. Yes I sound like a parent, but it is true. To a successful night there are a couple things you should know : 

• Go out with friends who care about you. Or else you will be the person they leave behind at the bar or take embarrassing pictures/videos of. 
• Never under any circumstance take drinks from anyone besides the bartender. 
• Dress appropriately. If you are going to complain all night in those 6-inch heels then by all means do not wear them. But if you can be a trooper in the tight dress and wedges then more power to you. 
• Know your limits. No one wants to find you passed out in the bathroom stall, see you puking outside, or catch you because you keep falling over.

In The Books

The time has come for me to move on. I never really acknowledged it growing up, but I have never established a permanent life in a place more than three years. I have constantly moved around growing up and that time has come yet again for me to leave. After living on this college campus for two years I decided to move back to California. 

But before I leave I would like to share a few of my favorite memories over the past two years... 

Nothing can compare to the experience of living in a dorm and the taste of college life for the first time. From the football games to late nights at the bars I will never forget the first friends I made in college. Although we are no longer friends, I will always cherish those memories.

To the roommate I spent both college years with, I will truly cherish our friendship for the rest of my life. From the drunken nights, long cries, road trips, and unforgettable moments I can truly say she became my best friend. 

To the roommates during my second year. They exceeded my expectations, not only did they become my friends, but they became more like sisters. Each of them brought something special into my life. It was always a new lesson in life, a new story, or new quality I found inside myself to be unique. They always brought out the best in me. And I will forever be grateful for that. 

From the very first moment to the very last, I will never forget the one person I completely fell in love with. A year of my life was spent in awe of how much I could love another human being. If there was anything I learned from college, it was mostly learned from him. Lessons in love and life. How to love another and myself. Not only to improve another's life with honesty and compassion, but improve myself with determination and control. A year of transparent love, with no hidden agendas.