In Transit

Posted by Josh G.

Now summer is nearly over.  That means I’m done with my internship, done with IMing Jackie all day while we multitask during work, and almost done relaxing at home and writing on this blog.  Yes, it is my last time EVER writing a freshman blog for in a mere couple of days now I will be back in Baltimore preparing for my sophomore year.  I’ve looked back on Freshman year a few times over the course of the past few months, but now it’s time to look forward to what’s next. (And I apologize in advance for the random string of ideas sure to come)

This year I’m looking forward to some big things.  First off, I am going to be an Orientation Assistant so I am looking forward to moving in early and helping out the incoming freshman make their own transition.  I’m looking forward to living in Charles Commons this year.  It will be a whole new experience not living in a dorm and having more household responsibility (aka cleaning).  It will also be fun sharing a suite with 3 of my friends.  Another great thing about college is that you actually look forward to most of your classes.  Since you pick what you want to study, most of your classes involve learning about things you are actually interested in.  It’s great to love what you study.  This year I’m looking to keep myself busy with more Hopkins Interactive work and helping my film professor on his upcoming feature.  I will also be blogging some for the Film Department on their new “Hopkins CinemAddicts” blog.  I’m going to have to relearn time management skills that I have definitely lost this summer. 

It’s strange to no longer be a freshman.  I remember last summer.  I was excited about starting something completely new.  I was bored of being home all summer.  It was time for a change. I just wanted out.  I frantically scrambled to read every piece of mail Hopkins sent me and find out everything I could.  Reading the blogs for the Summer Blog Contest (or Context, as some mistakenly type it as) brought me back to that.  Just remembering what all that was like and the excitement surrounding it.  It’s a different feeling now.  I’ve been there before. I’m looking to pick up where I left off.  It’s amazing how quickly time flies.  I remember one of my high school teachers saying something that actually made sense.  The reason that time seems to go faster as we get older is because it’s a smaller fraction of our lives.  When you are 5, a year is 1/5 of your life.  When you are 18, a year is 1/18 of your life. 

And I am 1/4 of the way done with my college career.  I can’t believe it!  For all of those out there who are making their way to college now or in the future, here is my advice:  Live every moment of it:  The good, the bad, the funny, the tragic, the stressful, the hectic, the laid back, the romantic, the hopeless, the helpless, the triumphant, and the epic.  You may be nervous about going off to a new place and anxious about what is to come.  It won’t all be amazing.  It will be hardly like the movies.  But it’s life.  And it’s wonderful.  And it’s all yours now.  You choose who you are and who you will be and who you want to be.  Open yourself up to new people, opportunities, and possibilities.  A quote from possibly the greatest film of all time (A Bout de Souffle) sums up what I’m trying to say.  “I told you being afraid is the worst sin there is.”

Now it’s time to bid you adieu.  For everyone that has ever read my blog, I thank you and I hope that reading it gave you further insight into the college experience of a freshman at Hopkins.  So whoever you are, wherever you are, and whatever time it is, thank you and goodnight. 

Comments

[Jackie]

Not only did you link to me in your blog, but you used an Albert Hammond Jr. song title!!! Woot woot! I feel like I've contributed so much to this blog.

Also, I felt like your blog is very philosophical and deep. I approve.

[JHU_Jessica]

I have never really thought about age in fractions. It does make sense though! Great post...see you soon!

[Jackie]

Also Josh, I just noticed as I am about to write a new blog, I used "In Transit" as my title on May 30th. Great minds think alike!