When I first started my college search my sophomore year of high school, I never thought that I would end up in a place called Athens, Ohio. The only Athens I’d ever heard of before was in Greece. After getting over that confusion, I committed to Ohio University knowing that I would be a Bobcat in Athens for the next four years of my life, or so I thought.
My lovely friends and me chilling at a football game last year. I don’t even know what the football team’s record was. The significant thing about this picture is how long my hair was. I’m glad I chopped it all off!
Over this past summer, I reflected on my academic career and decided that I wanted to change my major and focus on different subject matters that Ohio University doesn’t offer. Just the thought of transferring schools was terrifying, but I put my best interest forward and applied to the University of Georgia. After I got into UGA, which is coincidently located in Athens, GA, I decided to trust my gut and officially declare myself a Bulldog for spring 2018. While I may be attending a new school now, I want to give my first college a proper goodbye.
As a freshman last year, I didn’t know one single person at Ohio University. I was all alone on a campus filled with almost 30,000 kids. College isn’t like kindergarten where you can just walk up to someone and ask them to be your friend. I didn’t know what to do with my life. I even remember starving myself the first day I got there because I was terrified to eat in the dining hall alone. This was where my first official friend, Lauren, came into the picture.
Lauren and me at High Fest, a party held on High Street at OU. We were the coolest cats there.
Full disclosure, Lauren wasn’t simply my friend, she was also my roommate. Freshman year, we were in a quad room, and we became fast friends. After getting to know her, we ate in the dining hall together every. single. day. We never even got into an argument once. She may be a foot shorter than me with blonde hair, but I swear we’re twins.
I couldn’t just have my roommate as my only friend, so I branched out a little. I had a plant biology class freshman year where I met my good pal, Cassidy. I’m so glad she didn’t think I was too weird after I went over to her, sat down, said hello, and then proclaimed, “Gee, I hope some hot guys sit by us,” all within 10 seconds of meeting her. That was a really strong opening, and I guess I won over her friendship.
This picture was taken from the Willis Tower Skydeck in Chicago when I visited Cassidy over the summer. I can’t wait to be back in Chi town soon.
Besides the friendships I made at Ohio University, I’ll miss the atmosphere, culture, and most importantly, restaurants. A bagel from Bagel Street Deli always cured my hunger when I needed something fast, Union Street Diner’s milkshakes cheered me up when I needed something sweet, and Wendy’s on Court Street was there when I was desperate with less than five dollars in my pocket.
I may be at a new college now, but I hope Athens, OH knows how much of an impact it had on my life. The red bricks, OU chants, and Club Alden will always have a piece of my heart. I’ll never forget what I’ve learned at Ohio University. OU OH YEAH, BABY!
コメント