Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Final Blog

Hi Again!

Well, this is my final blog of the year - where has the time gone? It's hard to believe that I am officially at the halfway point of my time at Mercyhurst. I remember my first day as a freshman and all the thoughts I had racing through my head wondering what the next four years of my life would be like. As my sophomore year comes to a close, I think back to that lonely day - saying goodbye to my parents and living for the first time on my own. It was certainly sad leaving my family and I knew that homesickness was sure to set in. And I was right. The first month of school was the hardest - not academically but mentally. I was pretty homesick and was trying to adjust to a new lifestyle.

 My biggest fear about going to college was my roommate placement. During the summer, I received a letter in the mail with my assignment, along with his contact information. I never had the chance to meet him before I left for school, but I we communicated  through email and text message. Simple stuff though - who was bring the TV, refrigerator...etc.

When I arrived at Mercyhurst my parents helped me unload my belongings into my dorm room - Warde Hall - highly recommend it! It was then that I was finally able to meet my roommate. I lucked out with a great roommate. Throughout the course of the year we developed a bond and became great friends. We also met a few other great friends. By the end of the year we had a solid group of about 12 of us that met for dinner each night, and watched movies and played games every weekend. We were an extremely close group that had an extraordinary amount of fun.

As freshman year passed, we left each other for the summer. It was sad to see the people you spent practically every day with leave, but I took comfort in the fact that the following fall we would all be back. We even planned a weekend get-together in July and we all went to Buffalo and Niagara Falls. We had a blast, especially on the Maid of the Mist!

When our sophomore year began, I found myself living with the same roommate and my same friends. Unlike freshman year when it was two guys to a room, we had four guys to an apartment sophomore year! We cooked our own meals (well...not often but we tried) and laughed literally every day and all night. One weekend I took my roommates home with me to spend the weekend. We had a great time in my hometown and were able to spend a night at our cabin.

The second half of the year flew right by and before we knew it May had arrived. So as I sit in my room typing this blog, I look back at the first half of my college experience. I think of my very first day, the courses I've taken, the troubles I've encountered, and grades I've received. But most of all, I look back at the friends I've made and the memories we've made that will last a lifetime. That is what I treasure most.

The past two years we've shared together and the memories we've made can never be taken away from us. If the next two years are like my first two - I could not be more excited to start my junior year next fall. Mercyhurst has become my home away from home, and I can honestly say that I've finally been able to feel what it's like to have brothers - LJ, SM, BL, AE, SK

Hopefully that gave you a little insight into my Mercyhurst experience. Thank you to those who have taken the time to read my blogs, even though I know they have been repetitive and at times boring. Nonetheless, I have truly enjoyed being able to share some of my experience with you.

Have a great summer!
Ryan Smith