Blog post #3
In the opening pages of “Freshman Year” by Sarah Mai, Sarah is introduced, who just graduated from high school. Sarah hangs out with her friends right after graduating, and that’s exactly what I did too. I spent the first week after graduating to spend time with all my friends because I knew that would be the last time I would see them for a while when we all started college. After that first week, I started working full time to save up money for college. Sarah also worked during the summer after she graduated. Sarah had a summer job gardening, I worked at my local grocery store. Which is what I also did my junior and senior year of high school. It was hard going from school seven days a week, seeing my friends every day to working seven hour shifts every day. It was a major change for me, and I don’t do too well with big changes. I had a lot of anxiety, and I was stressed about picking my classes and what I needed to buy but so was Sarah. She was worried about her friends and what she needed to do before college started. I eventually got the hang of going to work every day and seeing my friends less and less. It hurt a lot, but I knew that it was just a part of growing up. I also realized that change is good, it’s needed to grow and adapt. It pushes us out of our comfort zones and allows us to learn new things. Change in life can open up new opportunities and perspectives for the future. The first 68 pages just show how she gets through summer before college and how sometimes it can be very stressful and she’s very correct. It’s hard to try and be prepared but in reality, nobody can be but so ready for anything. There are always possible what ifs, but they are good, they keep you on your toes for any unexpected thing to happen.
Dear Kaileigh,
I liked how you connected your experiences with Sarah’s journey into college. I particularly liked how you highlighted some differences between you and Sarah. Like you summer job as a swimming instructor and how you moved into college with your entire family. I think mentioning that you had your siblings help you move in really highlights the difference in family support compared to Sarah who only had her parents.
I would have loved to know how you felt during you first week at longwood and going to the events. Did the event helped you meet some friends? When you wrote about feeling regret for not spending enough time with your friend and family. I would have liked to hear what activities you would have done, for example going to the amusement park with your friends or having a family hiking trip. I would also have loved to hear examples from some of the positive experiences you have had.
You also mentioned that you feel both regretful and overjoyed. I would have loved to know now that you are in college how do these feelings affect you? You state that you want to find a better balance and I think it would be great if you added specific steps you plan to do that. I found your blog really engaging because I do relate with some of your experiences, I too have some regrets because I had always wanted to go skydiving with my family before I left for college, but I unfortunately never did, but we have made plans to do so next summer. Another regret I can relate to is that due to work I never spent time with my friend and when I was free, they weren’t and anytime we tried to have a friend’s date there was always a schedule conflict, so I never got to see or spend time with them when I left. I wish you all the best in your college joinery.