entry 023 | what i’ve learned in a month of college 🏫

dear diary, (or whoever’s reading),

it’s been a month since i started college, and i don’t even know how to put it into words. part of me feels like i just moved in yesterday, but another part of me feels like i’ve been here forever, already used to this campus.

here's a few things i’ve realized so far... :

---

routines matter (even if they’re small)

the first week, my days felt so scattered - wake up at random times, eat at random times, study at random times. it was exhausting. but once i started building little rituals, like getting ready and putting effort into looking good for class, making myself a coffee every day, things started to feel more grounded. it’s funny how something tiny can make you feel like yourself again.

---

dorm life is…a lot

living in a dorm is both chaotic and comforting. sometimes it feels like i can’t escape the noise - people in the hallway laughing, doors slamming, someone playing music at 1 am. but then there are moments i love: meeting new people in the elevator, late-night food runs, the random “want to come with?” that turns into the highlight of my week. i didn’t expect the little community feeling to hit so quickly, but it has.

---

asking for help doesn’t make you weak

this one’s hard for me. i like to think i can figure things out on my own. but whether it’s asking a professor to explain something again or admitting to a friend that i’m homesick, i’ve learned people are kinder than i thought. no one has it all together, and sometimes just admitting “i don’t get this” makes life lighter.

---

nobody really has it figured out

honestly, i thought college would be full of people who had perfect plans - majors locked in, career goals mapped out, internships already lined up. but the truth is, everyone’s just figuring it out as they go. realizing that has taken some pressure off me. i don’t have to know all the answers right now.

---

one month in, i’m still a mix of overwhelmed and excited. i’m still learning how to balance everything—school, social life, and myself—but i think that’s the whole point. college isn’t just about classes; it’s about becoming.

so, here's to the rest of semester and the future memories that are waiting for me!!

sincerely,

studybutterfly 🦋