My Pre-Dawn Jogging Delusion
I had this concept before entering W&M that in college I would become a completely different person. My annoying habit of over-thinking things? Gone. My inability to get up early? I’d be up at 7 a.m. cheerfully getting in a morning run before heading to class. My fear of science? In college, chemistry would be my best friend…
None of this happened. I’m still me. Surprising, I know. I guess my belief was a little naïve considering close to 70 students from my high school took the great leap to college with me at W&M. It’s hard to reinvent yourself when there are ten people in your freshmen dorm who spent the last four years with you. Even more than that, I realized that I am me. My personality, preferences, fears, goals – they are all shaped by the experiences in my life. My history is no less a part of me than my arm is. (And let’s be honest, who is really able to cheerfully jog in the pre-dawn hours of the morning?)
For me, college has been an opportunity not to completely change, but to explore different sides of myself. During Freshmen Orientation I was talked into singing “Sweet Child of Mine” karaoke-style with a group of new friends. If you know me at all, you would know that I don’t sing in public, ever. One of my first weekends on campus, I spent the greater part of an evening lying on a blanket on the Sunken Gardens chatting with new friends about difficult times in our lives. These new friends saw a glimpse of the real me because I felt comfortable being vulnerable in their presence.
I know that high school can be a place that encourages us to blend in. From what I’ve experienced so far, that’s simply not the case at the College. I’m here to both challenge my perspective as well as feel comfortable sharing my perspective with the W&M community.
[By the way, this is my first day as an official W&M blogger and I’m excited to share with you my college experience. I’m hoping to update weekly…so be on the lookout for more!]
Peace,
Sally
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Sally, your first entry is awesome! You’ve completely encapsulated how I felt the first couple of weeks at William & Mary. Yay!!
I’m so excited for your blog! 🙂 Love it! And good points too…. Yay for the Yatesment! Represent!
Great first entry, and completely true. Look forward to reading the blog!
You are beautiful, Sally Wade. I am so happy that you ARE you. Keep exploring new things with a undaunted and unwavering openness to Christ. You won’t regret it.
Lots of love,
Jane
Sally Wade may be the BEST W&M BLOGGER THAT HAS EVER EXISTED.
Noah Kim, I don’t know if you blog too, but if you do, Sally trumphs you, by default.
The only person who can even possibly come close to Sally’s brilliance and eloquence is the elegant Ms. Sofia Chabolla and her epic post on The Freshman Hall Experience.
Sally this post is truly awesome, not just because it is fabulously well written, but because it is written from the heart. And it demonstrates an awe-inspiring wisdom for a youngun just 19 years o age. And only like two-ish months into college.
Jane R. said it best, so all I’m gonna say is props for being who you are, keep up the exploration (though maybe not Mrs. O’Malley style…).
Always and forever,
Kelly
I’m confused about the reference to my mother.
70 of your classmates went to W&M!?! i think my high school sent 3 last year. did you go to Thomas Jefferson?