If you are one of those people who love high school and wish it would never end then this is not the article for you. In my personal experience, high school was nice but I couldn’t wait to get out and live on my own and jump into college. There are, of course, tons of differences between the two places but the first days are like decaf and espresso. The first day of high school feels pointless and tiring and the first day of college feels like a sugar high where you want to jump around and take in everything.
The first day back at Fitchburg State University is one of my favorite things in the world. To start, you get to see all of your beautiful roommates and friends. Catching up, hanging out, making plans for the next few months. It is so refreshing to actually see these people again instead of sending countless texts and tweets to them every time something reminds me of them. Actual tweet during winter break: “The fact that #OnceUponaTime is on tonight and there’s no @paige_beaudoin to watch it with me [insert multiple crying emojis].”
All of the clubs you are in are starting back up and feel fresh and shiny and new. I am going on a retreat for Orientation Leaders in a week, there are new events in FAB to create publicity for, and dance classes are having auditions next week. Everything that was getting boring or frustrating last semester is now wiped clean with a fresh new start!
I can’t forget to mention the beginning of new classes for the spring semester. In high school, you continue the same classes after winter break but in college you get brand spanking new classes to be in! The first week of class is “Syllabus Week” meaning you typically spend the first class going over what you will be doing all semester and receive a small assignment to kind of ease you back in (I’m pretty sure all of my nursing major friends will disagree with me…). I’m extra excited because since I am a junior all of my classes have to do with my major and are interesting to me. Doing homework is still work but it is more fun now and feels more meaningful.
I would say the only sad part of the first day of a new semester is the fact that some of my senior friends have gone on internship or graduated during the winter. This always brings a tear to my eye since I love them and miss them but it is also exciting because they have moved on to a new and exciting chapter in their lives. Just like I will be doing in a year from now. But let’s not talk about that, I like staying in my safe and currently snowy college bubble. I still have a year to learn, grow, and appreciate the fact that I will never have to go to a first day of high school again.
Fitchburg State college days were a great part of my life’s journey, it helped me get my start professionally and personally. My friends and professors helped me grow and realize my dreams. Enjoy your time in college, it should be fun and meaningful! The campus has grown and is beautiful, especially all the changes on North Street.
I view being here the same way! It is a wonderful journey and it will be sad when I have to move on but I also know that FSU (Yeah! University now!) will have prepared me. I’m hoping this blog convinces some prospective students to come visit our beautiful campus.
My years at Fitchburg State were the best in my life. I met lifelong friends and learned a lot about myself in the process. For the first time in my life, I was on my own and that felt great. I look back on my days at FSC with a heavy heart. The campus may have changed and the school may of changed its name but it’ll always be FSC to my friends and I. And don’t get me wrong, studying was hard and some days felt near impossible but the choice of classes and the ability to make your own schedule and have free time made college even more fun.
You’re not in class all day and somedays you may not even have any classes! There were many days I thought about giving up, but in the end, I look back and thank FSC for the best time in my life. Only one other day outshines my time at FSC and that was my Wedding Day!
I am so glad you look back at Fitchburg State so fondly. My goal is to show everyone how amazing the school is and the opportunities it presents. I am only a junior and I have already come so far since I started here.