The Full College Experience: Holding Nothing Back

Heylo!

As I think about the two amazing years that I've had so far at UCSD, I stop myself. Wait, two years? Really? That's what scares me the most, and yet at the same time puts a smile on my face. Have I really been enjoying my time that much that I haven't stopped to realize the TIME? Looking back, there are a few things I wish I had known, and only knew as I continued the journey.

Orientation was honestly the best introduction. Every person experiences Orientation in their own way, and I think that can easily be said about your time at UCSD. You are thrown into a situation where you know no one, and are challenged from the moment your parents leave. This is the beauty of the entire journey: not knowing where each step is going to take you next. Will it be to RIMAC to burn all those free pizookies off? Or to the dining halls to put those meal points to good use?

As cliche as things may sound to you, you start to live them and realize how much you become changed by becoming your own person. Don't think you are a morning person and would rather have afternoon classes? Then don't take a morning class. Don't think you want to continue with chemistry and instead let your passion for dance take over? Then start anew. The significance of college is just that: YOU are responsible for what YOU want to do. You get to decide who you want to be and there are way too many ways to do that at UCSD, especially at Warren.

My first year I thought I was invincible. I was working, taking all my classes, and had joined a dance team on campus that had rehearsals from 8pm-12am. But the beauty of the college experience is that you really do become invincible. You start to push yourself beyond your own set limits, limits that will keep changing as you grow through UCSD.

Whatever you do, just understand where you are. Take pictures of every activity that you and your suitemates do. Go have a bonfire at La Jolla Shores and get sand in your s'mores. Because those are the things you are going to remember; not how many classes you were able to ace, but how many of those classes were a challenge to you. If you're not a theater person, take a theater class and learn to see the campus through that perspective. I encourage you to keep shifting yourself, find the YOU that finally fits.

-Lilith Mansuryan, Freshman Orientation Leader.