My first semester at THE Ohio State University was a whirlwind of ups and downs. First, my downs. I started to experience loneliness and depression a few weeks after fall break. I’m not sure what prompted it for sure, but I started skipping class and not wanting to see anyone or do anything but sleep. I felt like I didn’t have any friends, and I still sort of feel like that. My entire life friends always “made me” instead of me having to make friends… now I’m not really sure how to do it. Another down is my roomate. I hear her talk about her ‘friends’ in very negative and judgemental ways on a daily basis. This makes me uncomfortable in my room because if she’s like that to her friends, who knows how she is judging me. Also, our room isn’t split 50/50, it’s more like 30/70 because she won’t loft her bed so all of her furniture is all over the room. It makes me feel like I don’t have a place on campus where I can go, be myself, and just relax. I reached out to my family and friends and they’ve helped me. I even saw a doctor who prescribed me some antidepressants.
So far, this entry has been quite the downer, but in no way has my semester been one. In fact, I love it here so much and wouldn’t leave for anything. My classes are going swimmingly, and I’ve even aced three midterms! I love all the activity campus has to offer, it keeps me busy. Sometimes, on a nice day I’ll be walking to class and I just can’t stop smiling as I walk past other students and explore campus. Being here makes me feel like a part of something bigger than myself. I also joined Athletic Band, which has presented so many incredible opportunities with really cool people. We performed Script on ice at a hockey game and two Cavs games, and even played at the Skull session for the Nebraska game. Then there’s Columbus. I adore this town. On a weekly basis my boyfriend and I go out and find a cool new restaurant, or art, or store to explore.
As for Humanities Scholars, I couldn’t be more grateful. The few new friends I do have are all in it too. I love that we are involved with so many cool events that I wouldn’t even know about otherwise. I could probably talk about the Chicago trip for days. I had never been there before, and it was honestly one of the best trips I’ve ever been on. It actually helped me decide to stay in my major, anthropology. We were at the field museum and Paige (my best friend here) and I decided to go through the evolution exhibit. It was like Christmas morning for a little kid. I wanted to see everything, heart racing with excitement. Then I actually realized how I felt, and realized that this was my major. I’m sad there will no longer be a class meeting time, it sort of feels like a little family reunion each week. I want to be involved in Humanities Scholars in the future semesters for certain so I can make some friends (fingers crossed) and be exposed to all of the wonderful things Ohio State, and Columbus, has to offer for me.