Editor's Column: School Will Always Take Some Work

Thus begins another year at Boston College. As a junior this year, I spent the greater majority of my summer longing to return to campus. Sophomore year had ended really well, and I was looking forward to getting out of my parents’ consistent line of eyesight and getting back to school. One of the things I love most about being here is the way that anything is possible on any given day. You never know who you’re going to run into, what you will end up doing, or where you may find yourself. This spontaneity is out of character for me. I’m the type that likes to make a "To-Do" list for the next day before I go to bed, and plot out my schedule to the hour. I think that’s why I like the flexibility that college offers. Students can take a class that they’re genuinely interested in just because it’s there. We can choose to spend a semester in some country we’ve only ever read about in books, or simply choose what we want to make for dinner. As cliche as it is, college offers freedom more than any other time in one’s life.

For freshmen coming in, I understand that this can actually be a difficult concept to grasp. Yes, you can eat whatever you want, whenever you want, but let’s be honest. You don’t really have that much space to roam. The rooms are ridiculously small and cramped, and there’s no real lounge area. Newton residents are fairly restricted to a bus schedule, and few freshmen even have cars so the restrictions of the T come into play as well. Most freshmen don’t have much choice regarding classes because they’re advised, and rightly so, to start knocking their core requirements out of the way. Even in social situations, we all know that the freshman is relatively limited and often finds it difficult to break out of his or her immediate friend circle.

I think all upperclassmen can appreciate my sentiment, however, in saying, "It only gets better." Yes, there are always struggles in college, and the idealized version of BC I created while away for the summer was exaggerated. Firstly, it’s still school. That means work and stress. Secondly, it’s a never-ending social situation, which, even as a junior, has its awkward and uncomfortable moments. Thirdly, it’s impossible not to have a semester-long cold here. I woke up the other night feeling the first ache in my throat, and it has yet to subside. But BC is great. Every semester, the dynamic changes slightly, you figure out an improved daily routine, the group of people you hang out with always varies slightly, you continually become more comfortable, and you have freedom with classes as you progress.

So for anyone who’s feeling the first initial excitement of being back at school wearing off, as you spend your Saturday in the library doing work, remember those summer months spent longing to be back here, and take advantage of the opportunities here while you can. It just keeps getting better—but it doesn’t last forever.