Things Change: It's Normal!

by Dannica B., Panther Blogger

Now we all know college is all about education and earning a degree, but we also know social life is a big part of surviving four years of college!  As a first semester freshman, the highlight of my week was watching Love Actually in my dorm room.  Yes, pathetic, right?  I had no social life.  I had friends, but I never really did anything except play Uno with my hall mates.  Every event that took place sounded "lame" and I just wanted the comfort of my bed and the taste of ramen noodles in my mouth.  That was my Friday night.  Yes, I did adventure out of my room sometimes, but nothing extraordinary ever occurred.  I didn't want to do anything and I'm not sure why.  I guess I missed home too much?  Maybe that seemed to be a valid excuse, but in reality, I was scared.  The innocence of my freshman mind couldn't bear the thought of growing up and becoming a responsible adult.

But then it hit me. It was time to grow up, it was time to do that pile of laundry sitting under my bed, and it was time to go to the cafe instead of eating ramen noodles for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  It's not easy growing up, but at some point in life, we all have to "cut the umbilical cord" and become an independent person and take responsibility.  The future is going to be different than you imagine, and the friends we have now may no longer be our friends later.  The things we think we like now may turn out to be the things we begin to dislike later and you have to actually leave your dorm room to find who you really are.

My second semester was much better. I got a job, joined a sorority, became a student ambassador and a Panther Blogger, and I got so much more involved with Ferrum College that I felt more at home.  Being more involved with the college you attend makes everything so much easier.  I'm a different person than who I was when I first came to Ferrum. I'm more confident in myself and I put myself out there and became a part of the Ferrum community.  After all, it was the Ferrum community who brought me out of my shell and I couldn't be more thankful!  So remember, things change:  it's normal!

It's Okay to Be Confused: It's Normal!

by Dannica B., Panther Blogger

As an upcoming freshman, or even as a rising sophomore, junior or senior, things can get pretty stressful.  What classes will I take this semester?  Am I even pursuing the right major for me?  What do I even want to be when I'm older?  Is college even the right thing for me?  Everyone has asked themselves these questions before and many people change their minds numerous times until they are comfortable that they are making the right decision.

As a confused high school graduate, I knew that I was going to graduate from some big university with a business administration degree and a psychology minor, move to Florida, become a wedding planner, and then one day own my own company.  Now as a rising sophomore, I attend my second home, Ferrum College - a beautiful yet quaint and extremely small college with a population of just over 2,000.  I started as a Business major, switched to an Art major, but now I'm a Recreation Leadership major.  So, yes, I guess you could say I have changed my mind a few times and I can promise you it won't be my last time!

You see, times change.  You grow up believing you're going to be one thing then often turn out to be the complete opposite.  It's life and people change their minds even after college. The best advice I can give is do whatever makes you happy, unless it's illegal or morally wrong then I would recommend you think twice!  But if being an art major makes you happy, then do it even if you think you can't make a career out of it because I promise you, if you believe you can, then anything is possible.  If you want to be a star athlete, then go for it. Just remember to keep your GPA intact because after all, education is extremely important.  If being an actress/actor on Broadway is your ultimate dream, then become a theater major despite what anyone thinks.

At the end of the day, you're going to college for four years and if you're taking classes that you hate and pursuing a major that you know deep down inside isn't right for you, then what's the point?  And if you can't make up your mind, don't panic. It's okay to have doubts, and it's okay to change your mind. There are people to help.  Go to your adviser, your parents, your friends, your mentors, or even your pet goldfish named Fred and talk to them (even if your fish doesn't talk back).  Ferrum has a great support system if you get out to seek help!  I got a lot of help from my professors, peers, and especially from my adviser, Mrs. Smith.  There are people here to advise you down the right path, but just remember that at the end of the day, it's you who has to make your own decisions.  I know it seems like it'd be easier if someone made them for you, but unfortunately, that's not how life works.  It's okay to be confused - it's normal!