10 Years Ago, I was a Freshman at WSU

Go COUGS!

I can't believe it's already been 10 years since I stepped onto WSU's campus as a freshman.  I felt the same way when my 10 year high school reunion approached all of a sudden.  Whether you're prepared for it or not, 10 years flies by way too fast.  It really doesn't seem like that amount of time has passed already.  I feel like I haven't done anything since then.  When I put it into perspective I actually have done a lot in those 10 years.  I just don't have a full time job, I live with my parents, I have a piece of crap car, I am not married and I don't have kids, unless you count my cat as a kid.  I am just thankful I do not have responsibilities I can not provide for or that I made a huge mistake by marrying someone and it ending in divorce a few years later.

That first year of college was tough.  It was weird not being around family every day.  It was weird waking up with an alarm (at home, mom woke us up), my habits changed, I had to wash my own laundry but had a schedule (which I washed my own laundry at home anyway), I had to deal with lots of drama on my floor.  Finding rides anywhere especially back home for holidays were almost impossible, I did get lucky throughout the year.  Meeting people and becoming friends with them was pretty easy.  I really wasn't there to find a boyfriend.  If something happened so be it, it wasn't the focus on why I was there.  The hardest part about college was finding your routine and how to balance out everything.  I balanced everything very well.  I got to do a lot of things and found time for my studies. 

Me in front of my dorm sign, Fall 2002.

Me and some of the people I hung out with my freshman year.

 Me and Megan watching a Coug game, this was the year we went to the Rose Bowl.

Throughout those 10 years, I have learned a lot about other people and mostly about life itself.  I believe if everyone can afford college do it, it is worth it in the long run even if the economy doesn't allow you to get a job right away.  You learn more life lessons at college than you would if you didn't go.  I can pick out the people who didn't go to college to those who did.  They seem more seasoned and more aware of what's going on in the world.  I had a great experience.  The only regret is not getting a job right out of college.  Other than that, I know things will work in my favor.