6 Things my first semester at Ohio University taught me

After my first semester at Ohio University, I am able to look back to see the memories and success that came with it. Going to college is not only an important time of education and a road to a career, but it is a time to learn about yourself and who you really are as a person. 

Making the transition from high school to college was hard but ultimately beneficial. I know things now that I would have never learned without furthering my education at OU. Here are 6 things that I discovered about myself:

1. I can live alone

After a week of classes, my roommate decided to move out due to differing viewpoints that had been assumed to be different before picking each other to room. While I have a new, awesome roommate who moved in the weekend before Thanksgiving, this left me living alone in a double sized dorm for multiple weeks. I learned that I can live completely alone. Yes, everyone is technically living alone and away from their parents when they go to school, but it is different being alone in a room when you had imagined to be living with someone for almost 6 months prior. I didn't have a roommate to depend on if I was locked out or for cleaning the room. 

2. I can do my own laundry (barely)

The first time doing laundry completely alone was at OU. While I survived, I try to avoid the situation as much as possible. I went almost all semester without ruining clothes until finals week hit. The university gave everyone 4 free loads of laundry for the week so I decided to do my laundry before coming home for break and wash my blankets. While in the dryer a blanket melted leaving a purple plastic material and many of my clothes.

3. I don't eat as much as I thought

I am on a meal plan that gives 14 meals a week (2 meals a day). I originally thought that this would be just enough when in reality there has been weeks where I have 5-8 meals left over to use in the market because I didn't get a meal in the dining hall.

4. I live in the same couple of outfits

While I brought multiple cute outfit options to school, I find myself gravitating towards the same couple shirts and sweatshirts (a lot of OU apparel). I realized that I live in a clothing cycle and will rotate my clothes and where a lot of the same stuff. Let's be honest, why would I ever think I would wear a sundress running to class? Wearing comfortable clothes is much more manageable and can often double as pajamas if it is a late night.

5. I'm a bed creature

I not only sleep in my bed, I eat, study, watch Netflix, talk to friends, talk on the phone, etc. I personally do not like to study or do homework at a desk. I do my best work while sitting in my bed. I even have a comfy butterfly chair that I rarely sit in. Mostly my friends sit in it while I sit in bed. I just love being in my bed no matter the occasion.

6. I'm a late night shower-er

While living at home, I showered early so that laundry could be done, and so that I could go to bed early or that's what my mom thinks (sorry mom). This first semester, I learned that I love taking a shower late at night. The fact that nobody else rarely showered at that time was also a bonus. Showering marked the end to my evening. I had finished homework and studying for the evening and it was time to get ready for bed.

I hope that everyone has a successful second semester and that even more things are discovered about our own selves.

Check out my 2017 slideshow where my first semester is showcased!