How LSU Changed Me Forever

August, 2011. I moved into West Laville Honors Hall, ready to start anew. High school left me tired, angry and bored. I anticipated the memories I would make, the friends I would meet and the classes I would take. None of it had happened yet, which made it most exciting. I began the fresh start immediately.

I rushed. I met wonderful women in all ten Panhellenic sororities, and I found my home in ZTA. I pledged to be loyal, considerate and loving to my new sisters. I learned the secrets. I made the house my home. Those girls became my sisters after sharing closets, memories and stories. We walked the lakes together, we celebrated together, we studied together. I held a sister's hand when she ended a destructive relationship. I cried when she was hurt. We told jokes and pulled pranks. I lounged in the front yard, adored our housekeeper and laughed loudly at all hours of the night.

I enrolled in classes. I received a 'D' on my very first college paper, a wake-up call for the egocentric high school valedictorian. I met with my professor. I took notes. I listened to feedback. I learned there is always room for improvement. I finished MC 2011 with an 'A.'

I went to every home football game. I tailgated. I learned to like beer. I stood on bleachers in the burning sun, chanting, "Geaux!" until my voice was hoarse. I sweated in sundresses and sandals, and swore nothing, absolutely nothing, could cheer a soul like those hallowed four notes in pregame. I watched Tigers like Reid, Claiborne, Mingo, Mathieu, Randle, Ware, Landry, Hill and Beckham, Jr. become legends. I watched in disbelief when the Tide felled the Tigers. I got upset. I got real upset. Then, I remembered there's more to a college than its football team, and in my case there was a lot more to LSU than its football team. I stormed the field. I sang. I cheered. I cried while singing the Alma Mater for the last time, arms wrapped around my sisters, because there's no place like Louisiana State University.

I took my parents' advice and "got involved." I wrote for The Daily Reveille. My sisters elected me to ZTA's executive council. Twice. I studied abroad for a summer in Ireland.  I represented the Manship School in a purple polo and recruited future students. I landed a few internships. I listened to lectures and concerts, watched movies and plays and volunteered for the community.

I met a boy in class. He walked me from Coates to the Union. He took me to the Northgate for our first date. We picnicked on the Parade Grounds. We danced at Groovin'. We learned everything about each other in Alex Box, on the Indian Mounds and in Middleton. He pinned his fraternity badge on me. I fell in love.

I met people from faraway, mysterious places like England, Bangladesh, New York, California, Missouri... and the North Shore. I laughed until tears leaked down my cheeks, clutching my ribs. I learned much about my major, and the more I knew, the more I understood I actually know very little. I questioned my faith. I ran back to God, quickly. I re-evaluated my political beliefs. I stood firm on the big things, but I did reconsider the smaller issues. I became wiser. I became confident. I became a better listener. I became a better speaker. I became a better thinker.

Louisiana State University made me the woman I always wanted to be. I've done everything at LSU I dreamed I would when I first moved in, except one thing.

And tomorrow, I graduate.

Thinking about whatever is just,
Danielle

Tweet