During The University of Olivet’s Opening Convocation on Aug. 21, 2024, Logan Schreiber was one of four students to share their reflections on their growth at The University of Olivet.
Growing Pains
My first day of college
I walked into rooms
overflowing with strangers.
Strangers with the same goal as me
but strangers, nonetheless.
Nerves bubbled in my throat
as I settled in my first college class
fear riddled my bones
inhibiting myself from even concentrating.
Yesterday I was a teenage girl
I cried to my mother about new beginnings
worried about what others thought of me
changed my mind and forgot my manners
and desired more time with my friends
not knowing the change tomorrow would bring.
Today I lean into my adulthood
late nights are less appealing
long drives and alone time follow me
around every corner
others opinions bother me less
my manners always come first
and I still desire more time with my friends.
I am coming into my own now.
In my mind I know
that girl never left
and she has sat with me
through every twist and turn
growing up has thrown
she has watched me outgrow friends
make bad decisions
and cheered my successes on.
I wonder when that girl
decided she did not want ice cream for breakfast anymore
outgrew her favorite pair of jeans
and stopped relying on mom and dad
to help guide her through every tough day.
When did that girl
have to learn
that it was time to grow up.
I still cry to my mother
and beg my father to fix my car
because no matter how much I think I know
I still know nothing at all.
I’m growing into the person I always wanted to be
and grasping onto the innocence
that slips between my fingertips
as I come into my third year.
My career looms before me
and decisions that affect the rest of my life
are knocking at my door
waiting for a response.
I turn off the lights
shut the blinds
and lock the door.
I’d like to stay here a little while longer
bask in the youth I have left
and enjoy the growing pains
before I have to step foot out that door
and accept that I do not remember growing up
I just did