Dri Outten

One would think that being born in California would entail a life with surfing, shopping on Rodeo Drive, and adopting a vegan diet. However, my life was nowhere close to that. At the age of eight, my family and I moved to Georgia and we have not left the state since. Now I am a sophomore at the University of Georgia and throughout all of that time, there is one event that I feel like I will never forget, which is my first college party.

I was a senior in high school, going through the typical teenage "I'm grown and I'm basically an adult" phase. One night my friends and I were invited to a party at Georgia Tech, so naturally, we decided to go. The drive to Atlanta was an hour long, but we were determined that the party was going to be worth it. Once we arrived at the party, we were immediately slapped with the strong scent of marijuana. The party itself was packed with people wall to wall, with beverages available in the kitchen, and the living room disguised as a dance floor. Being just a kid in high school, I was essentially experiencing culture shock. I had no idea that college parties would be exactly like the movies with the loud music, dancing, boys flirting with girls, and so many available substances. I felt like the oddball, the newbie, or the naïve inexperienced kid- and that is exactly what I was.

Once my friends and I left the party around midnight, there was so much going through my head. I felt the excitement and rush of going out, but also the fear of being in an environment that was not designated for me. Although the party was fun and eventful, it provided me with a humbling experience and a life lesson. There is no rush to complete certain milestones because life is not a checklist. Everything has its time and its place. I learned the value of staying in my place, but I was also introduced to the life that could be waiting for when I become ready.