Celebrating my one year anniversary with USC

This week, the USC Admissions Center sent out thousands of packages containing good news: acceptances to this university, and more importantly, invitations to join the Trojan Family. As the academic year is quickly drawing to a close, it is astonishing to think that nearly one-fourth of my college experience is over. What a year it has been.

When I arrived on campus in late August for move-in day, I felt like college was a temporary entity. I expected to go home after a few weeks, and the structured activities of welcome week seemed a bit like summer camp. I don’t remember much about the first couple months of school, except that it felt so weird to be starting over, both socially and academically. I do, however, remember the late night studying, my self-proclaimed rebellions against dining hall food and the constant feeling of anxiety hanging over my head. It was hard for me to relax, as I constantly felt like I had to prove to myself and others that I was worthy of attending this university. USC had always been my dream school, and even after I was admitted and started classes in the fall, I found it hard to believe I was actually here.

But thinking about it all in hindsight makes me realize that amidst the busyness of college life, I haven’t even had a chance to let my college experience sink in. When the stress of midterms, papers, office hours, club meetings and social events surround you, it’s hard to appreciate all the amazing things about college.

For one, I am grateful to have such a great group of friends that I can’t imagine living without. I am grateful for some of the amazing classes I have taken that I know I would not have had anywhere else. Most of all, I am grateful for the opportunity to grow personally and intellectually at this wonderful university.

In some of my toughest moments this year, I have sometimes questioned my choice to come here. It’s easy to pick out the negatives rather than highlight the positives. But as my one year anniversary with USC approaches, there’s no place I would rather be. This is home.

Megan Chun is a freshman majoring in environmental studies and political science. Her column, “A Day in the Life,” runs on Fridays every other week.