Awkward Freshman Mistakes That I Made

Listen up, fledgling adult, and listen closely.

You are going to make mistakes.

Major truth bomb, right?

You’re going to make dozens of tiny, minor mistakes you’ll forget in a week. You’re going to make catastrophically embarrassing mistakes that will bury so deep into your psyche you’ll wake yourself up in 20 years because the cringe is just too much. I know, I know it’s hard to accept, but it’s the truth. All we can hope is that we learn from our mistakes, and that those mistakes will shape, or rather, beat us into better people.

And, it’s not just because you’re a freshman. Well, it kind of is. Ok, you’re going to make a ton of mistakes because you’re a human person in a new environment. All humans make mistakes, and you’re no exception, but you’re going to mess up even more as a freshman. It’s not your fault! College is new and fresh and exciting and VERY overwhelming.

But hey, why sweat the inevitable? Even I, your gracious author, has made her own share of unspeakable faux pas. Maybe “share” is a little bit generous, how about bucket load? Truckload? Anyway, probably enough to make you feel better about anything you might do. So, if college’s ever got you feeling down, and want to laugh at my pain to feel better about your own, please, refer to this cringe fest of a list that’s going to keep me awake for years to come.

1. Locking myself and my roommate out of our room. . .while naked

So, I lived in a suite my freshman year, which meant me and my roommate had our room and we shared an “apartment” with four other girls. One night, before I took a shower, I closed the door to our room, forgetting that the lock was turned. The reason the lock was on was because my roommate had had her boyfriend over that weekend, so the door was kept locked just so no one would walk in on them together. I didn’t realize what I had done until I was wrapped in nothing but a towel, trying to walk back into our room to change. The wave of horror that washed over me was brutal. I knew what I would have to do. I would have to walk outside, into the courtyard, into the main lobby, right up to the front desk and ask for a loaner key. In nothing but a towel. And that’s exactly what I did.

If there’s a moral to this story it’s either;

Keep your key on you at ALL times (even in the shower)
Invest in a bath robe

2. Showing up to my very first college class 3 hours late

Here’s another tidbit to know about me dear readers, I’m an art student, which means a lot of my classes are 3 hour long studios. Which is great! I love my studio classes. But imagine my own, and my professor’s, confusion as I stroll into class as the rest of my fellow pupils are leaving. Confusion which quickly turned into understanding which quickly turned into red faced shame.

In my defense, I had a ton of problems working out my schedule, so the college website hadn’t updated with my class changes. But I probably should have listened to my counselor a little bit more. There’s the lesson, listen to your counselors, they’re kind of important.

3. Setting off the fire alarm by going out of the emergency exit

Totally by accident! I promise! I’m not some kind of nefarious rapscallion trying to cause mischief for the sake of mischief, I’m just kind of an airhead.

For one of my art projects, I had to print something off of a fancy printer with special paper and everything. The library did not have such a printer, so I had to go to the graphic design building which I had never been in before. By the way, this would be my first and last time going to the graphic design building, as I would soon find out.

I walked into the building through the only door I could find because the design of the building was quite unconventional. I walk in, get my project printed, everything, so far, is fine. Then, I make my way back to the door I presume I came in at, but apparently not. As I try and push the door open, I hear alarm go off, and suddenly I see it, the glowing red “Emergency Exit” sign looming above my head.

I panic for exactly 5 seconds, and then, I just walk outside. Perhaps I am a bit of a shady character?

Feeling better? I hope so, I cringed a ton while writing this list. Just remember, we’re all human, and we all mess up. We’re all on this chaotic boat of life together, there’s bound to be a bumpy ride. And, don’t worry, you’ll one day be able to laugh at all of the dumb things you do as a freshman. . .one day.