Chapter 32
Chapel Hill Round 3:
Click.Click.Click “Hang on”
August 18, 2014
Have you ever been on a roller coaster? A really big roller coaster? I’m not talking about a community fair roller coaster, but a coaster that takes you hundreds of feet in the air just to drop you at speeds of 80-100 MPHs.
In a lot of ways the college journey is a lot like a roller coaster. It seems like you’re in line forever, as you await the ride, when you finally get on the coaster you have mixed emotions (scared, excited, etc.). The trip of the hill is a lot like the first two years. It is quite stressful for some, for others it’s a time to relax, and some like me, enjoy screaming like a man before I scream like a girl on the way down.
Currently in my journey I am atop the hill. I have reflected on my past experiences, but nothing can change that. That coaster (my life) will continue, and I believe the best is yet to come.
Back to the roller coaster analogy:
The last two years is the rest of the ride. Before you know it you have zoomed down the hill, screamed your head off, and have arrived back at the station. You unlatch the harnesses (cap and gown) and you walk away. Some walk away with tears, laughter, and most had a life changing experience.
As FDOC (First Day of Class) approaches it is still hard to comprehend that I am a junior. With that “upperclassman” title comes different feelings than that of an underclassman.
Since I chose to live in a dorm again I live around underclassman. Most of which I don’t recognize, although I actually enjoy that. More people I don’t know, means more people I get to meet.
Packing was also a different story. Each year (dorm life) I have brought less and less. The time it takes to pack also takes about a day, which in comparison took an entire summer when I was an upcoming freshman.
Finally it has been difficult slowing down and getting into a routine. If you do and I hope you will have exciting summers like I have had, coming back to school is actually slower paced. It didn’t take me long to realize that college is much easier than the real world.
One of my close friends at UNC, known as @THERoyWood on twitter taught me a valuable lesson this summer. The simple premise of “staying relevant.” The story behind the “stay relevant” movement is actually quite funny, yet it has a lot of truth to it. He asked me how I thought the Kardashians stayed so popular in everyday society. I looked at him as blankly as I possibly could, and said I don’t know, they just do. “Exactly.” His simple response. He said that they stay relevant, although their relevance is often frowned upon, they are always “making moves.” With all of that being said, Stay Relevant during your college journey. Continue to try new things because nobody will remember someone who had an unbelievable first two years, and then just disappeared in the following two years. As Roy says it, just Stay Relevant.
I used to be deathly scared of roller coasters. Every time I would consider hopping on a coaster my dad would tell me the exact same thing. “It only lasts a minute or two and I know you will like it.” College is a lot like a roller coaster ride, and I think I bought a pretty good ticket. I’m about to make the most of these next two years.
Just a side note:
For those of you who don’t recall, I post the chapters via blog posts to share my journey with family, friends, and students. With these posts I have received numerous emails and messages regarding questions and concerns about college. Whenever or wherever you are reading this, never hesitate to reach out.
Austin Helms
Email: austinhelms32@gmail.com
Twitter: @HelmoftheHill
Selfie with Dad because he actually got scared on this coaster.
X2 Six Flags- Magic Mountain
