By Jacob Greene
College.
Four years—if you are lucky—that form you. They can be transformative—if you allow. A built-in community that helped create moments you will look back on with the utmost nostalgia.
Transition, memories, conversations, growth, community, firsts, lasts—all of these components make up the shared college experience.
With all those positives you cannot forget the negatives, late-night cramming, clogged toilets, roommate drama, homesickness, bad games or competitions, and of course the heartbreak—whether it be from sports or not.
This year is a year of truly basking in the last moments of college. It is an “Alright, let’s do this one last time” moment.
I have been blessed to be integrated into a community of wonderful people.
But it did not start out that way. Freshman year—within my first 6 weeks—I wanted to go back home.
College was not what I expected. Now, looking back—it is better than I could have ever imagined.
Through various series of events, I ended up in Thompson 209. That began the creation of a tight bond between all of “The Boys”—or so we were referred to as. That group makes up only some of my best friends that I have made here at Simpson. Since freshman year I have made a wide variety of friends all in different pockets of campus.
It came with time—not to mention some awkward interactions at first. Lots of game nights, caf table chats, and late-night conversations—we are all tight. Do spontaneous things—especially with your roommates. We went to Denny’s at 2 A.M. one time—now we go as a yearly tradition—Taco Bell is more of a weekly tradition.
I was once told that college is only 4 years of my life—after those years are over, I will not be friends with them. That is not true at all. This past summer I was in the wedding of one of my closest freshman roommates–along with some of the other Boys with whom I became friends during my freshman year.
Create or find a community—they have the potential to become your lifelong friends.
It seems like only a year ago I was a wide-eyed freshman unsure of things–of the next 4 years–or heck, of the next 4 hours. I felt as though I was lacking in so many departments. But I kept saying yes. Opportunity knocked—I answered. The transitions came—I had people to help. Community popped up—I chased after it. Curveballs came at me—I tried to lean out of the way, got knocked down—but, I had people to help pick me back up. All sorts of conversations, moments, failures—they all led to growth.
This is a place that can shape you in a positive way. If you allow it–if you keep saying yes to things–if you seek opportunities–it can give you an avenue to fulfill your dreams.
As I look back at my 3 years (and counting) I think back to all the different moments I have experienced. From the first time that all The Boys hung out, to the first time playing bass in chapel, or that first time I felt like a journalist with the Slate—then, of course, those times with friends where it felt like time was going by too fast to truly appreciate the fun time we were having.
There are so many fleeting moments I wish I could go back to—to relive–to truly appreciate.
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