Dont Get Your Hopes Up

The majority of freshman live that first year of college in the dorms. And a majority of freshman that first year hate the dorms! It's definitely is an situation that you love to hate, or at least in my case it was.

As I waited patiently during the month of June to discover the verdict of where I would be living my freshman year. Hoping desperately I lucked out and was put into one of the few dorms that were recently built. With over 22 dormitories as a whole it was a complicated and unknown experience to me. However I did hear one thing over and over, don't live on North Campus! Sure enough, Holmes Hall located in the heart of North Campus. This antique of a building was built in the early 70's, lacked the luxury of air conditioning, and was confined to males only. After hearing about all the accommodations Holmes lacked my roommate and I decided to notify the university of our newly developed asthma and allergies, which wouldn't allow me to live in the beloved Holmes Hall. After being relocated to a dorm that was slightly newer than the last, the day finally came to move in.

It was more than anything I had expected. As I turned the key to 1803 of Kirwin Tower a wave the muggy summer heat embraced me. Along with the heat came the smell of old carpet that had started out what appeared to be green but now displayed a mixture of dull brown. With the expired carpet came the realization of truly how small the rooms were, it seemed more fitting for a Keebler elf than two grown men. As we settled our belongings the open space quickly vanished, becoming occupied by chairs, refrigerators, a microwave, a 37" TV, and other miscellaneous objects, which were stacked and piled throughout the room. With the lack of privacy and space brought with the rooms also comes the unforgettable memories, often on an idle Wednesday night.

Bleeding Blue...

Moving to the great state of Kentucky around high school I wasn't truly exposed to the hysteria about the wildcats. It wasn't till last Saturday that I finally realized why people surround their lives with the most winning program in the nation.I must admit I'm probably not the biggest sports fanatic, however I still enjoy watching a good game. It was until i came to Kentucky, being one the the biggest basketball schools, did i realize how little I knew. The majority of my friends had been bred to bleed blue, displaying their knowledge by constantly spiting facts about players, coaches, even announcers since the beginning of the program.

The school spirit at Kentucky is always on a high but when that beloved basketball season comes around it reaches a completely new level. Attending a school that devotes themselves as fans you can help but to get caught up in it. Never before had I found myself upset at the loss of a game until i realized the respect the basketball team receives. The aura surrounding players on the team is that of a national superstar. With people swarming, smothering, and suffocating from parties to class they are recognized instantaneously.

This current season has only amplified the energy about UK the hype about John Wall has proved to be true. When I hear "John Wall is GOD" coming from the street behind my apartment, which fills with the fans returning home. Like I said earlier it wasn't till last Saturday did I realize the "swagger" about UK until I Attended my first game. Three rows off the court shoulder to shoulder with screaming fans it hit me that this was way more than simply a program instead a lifestyle.

life on your own

It wasn't until the first load of laundry, in the basement of Kirwin tower, that I finally came to the realization I was living on my own. A feeling that I had awaited for far to long. A moment in time almost every teen cant wait to experience but with the new sense of freedom come a list of responsibilities. In my case I wasn't completely hopeless I managed myself fairly well under the roof of my parents. Instead it was the little things that I found myself struggling, with waking up on time, doing my homework, or pushing papers off to the last minute.

The laundry did back up from time to time but I found making list to keep track of the chaos to be helpful. My new life seemed slightly scattered for the first few months and the lack of preparation I had coming into college showed. Its believed most freshman struggle to make good grades, over sleeping and missing class will make that an even greater struggle. With one day showing up to a class I had missed the day before, to find a final waiting on my desk ready to be filled with incorrect answers.

So to all incoming freshman heed my advice, GO TO CLASS, WAKE UP ON TIME, and DO NOT PROCRASTINATE...

A Taste of College

Nearing the end of my high school experience, the realization of me being on my own began to set in. After the long process of apply to what felt like count less school I ended up deciding to stay in state at the University of Kentucky. With the summer coming to a close, i found my mind often running through all my fears and excitements of what would happen in college. Imagining the out of control parties that are so often portrayed in movies to missing class and bombing tests.

Within the first week of college it was all I had expected and so much more. The parties during rush week were something I hadn't been prepared for and neither was my tolerance which went up by the end of a week that seemed far too short. However the urge to party heavily outweighed my want for achieving good grades, by missing my first class as a college student. When finally able to attend my first class it was a thrilling experience sitting and scribbling in a class with over 200 students. In that first week i gained a strong sense of responsibility but also the want to experience the fullest of the college life.