Adjustments

By: Connor Lenahan

I remember this point of my freshman year. It’s given that this is probably easy for me as it was only last fall. Still, I remember it vividly. I remember coming from my tiny – and I mean minuscule – home town of Waverly, PA, and my high school of 1,200 kids total to Boston University and being one face of 16,000 on campus. That doesn’t include the millions more that call Boston their home.

I also remember being lost for the beginning of the school year. I mean this not just physically, as I had not ever lived in a city before, and mentally. I did not have my footing yet. I did not know who I wanted to be or what I wanted to do exactly. It took a few weeks. I had to patient. I had to wait for my leg to heal from the broken bone I had suffered only months earlier. I needed to let life happen.

Then it happened. Good things come to those who wait. I waited patiently, met people around campus, talked to upperclassmen, went to club meetings. I needed to find where I belonged. Then, one night, I ran into Maurice Watson Jr. and James Kennedy in Warren Towers. The rest is history. Through them I found my happy place of basketball – a place that remains my happy place today.

I got lucky that I was able to find this happy place fairly quickly. It took time though. It’s not like I walked onto campus as the same person I did just few weeks ago for sophomore year. First, I didn’t walk onto campus at all. I rolled. Second, I needed to get comfortable with my surroundings first. Once I did I still waited. Then, slowly but surely, I found my way. I’ve been happy as all creation ever since.

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I have heard from a few of my close friends that have made their way to schools all over the place. It’s not just contained to BU. It stretches all over the east coast (none of my friends chose to venture much further). It’s not from all of the people I talk to, but more than you think have told me that they are having a hard time adjusting to their new worlds. These are people from all different backgrounds. It’s not just the shy ones, but the social butterflies too. And everyone in-between. It’s a common problem. Hell, I lived it first hand.

We all need time to get acquainted with our new homes. Whether or not we admit it we all have moments of loneliness and longing for the home we left behind. That is okay. Let me make this clear: That is not a bad thing.

I have never been happier in my life than in college. MY dreams are coming true. But if you think that I just magically don’t miss my parents, grandparents, dog, and home – you’re wrong. I do, every day. I just focus on the good – what I have – than what I don’t at the moment. I know I will see them again soon. That makes me smile.

It’s okay to be lonely. It’s okay to feel like you don’t belong. We have all been there and will be again. What’s important is to keep your head up. Be patient. Things get better. Things get happier. We all find our calling. I have proof in myself and millions more in the world.

Need someone to talk to? I’m all ears. Looking for suggestions on what to do on campus, or need a contact to someone in a club you’re interested in? I have active friends, I probably know someone. Need someone to give you a pat on the back and tell you it’ll be fine? I have soft hands. They’re excellent.

I’m not alone. There are tons of people, no matter where you are, that are there to help you become the person you want to be. You just need to let it happen. When it does it’ll be magic. I promise.

We all need to adjust. When that adjustment finally comes great things happen. Better yet, people are here to make that adjustment happen in only the best of ways, myself included.

College is an incredible place. It’s only September 8th. You’ve got a lot of time to go. Amazing things will happen sooner than you could ever think.