I can still clearly remember the joyous epiphany I had when I saw that 15-letter word on the UF website.
After 30 minutes of refreshing my browser to check my admission status, multiple lines of tiny text greeted my eyes.
One word, the only word that mattered, shouted at me: Congratulations.
I was a Gator.
After congratulatory hugs and phone calls, I finally bothered to read the rest of the text, as if there might be a mention of something more important than "congratulations."
In the same sentence was the verdict.
In plain English: You have been accepted into the spring 2012 freshman class.
Spring 2012.
All feelings of celebration silently sank into an internal abyss of worry and uneasiness.
Spring meant not starting college until January. Spring meant watching all my friends move away and beginning the "college experience" while I stayed in limbo for another five months.
Spring meant missing football season. Spring meant delaying my first year in college.
More serious concerns came to mind:
Will I be able to graduate on time?
How will I adjust?
What should I do for my first semester?
Choosing another school was not an option. As an in-state school with a reputable journalism program, UF was the obvious choice for me.
Bright Futures and Florida Prepaid College tuition were financial help I couldn't afford to refuse.
So I, along with a few hundred other spring admits, had to reluctantly make some decisions.
From what I've gathered so far, many packed up early and enrolled at Santa Fe Community College for a semester in an effort to not fall behind.
I chose to stay home and take two classes at a community college while working to save up money.
Others did the same and stuck it out with mom and dad back in their hometowns, sympathizing with me that their experience was less than ideal.
As if our first semester of college wasn't already handicapped, an email was sent out to all those who applied for housing months before, delivering the solemn news.
The campus dorms were full.
Life in the dorms — the epitome of the college experience — had been stolen from us as well.
We were being robbed of the experience of dealing with a randomly assigned roommate, becoming friends with others on the floor and having the luxury of walking to nearby classes.
With no room at the inn, many resorted to less lively off-campus housing.
Months passed and the invitation to attend Preview finally came along.
Instead of the traditional, comfortable two-day orientation with a night in a dorm, two days worth of information was crammed into one draining, seemingly endless session.
Jan. 9 came and went, the rest of the Student Body continued about its already-familiar routine, walking, "scootering" and catching the bus across campus as if it were second nature.
We spring admits were still glued to our smartphones using maps to find classes.
Some things somehow managed to work out — for me, at least.
I am thrilled that I was able to stay a few extra months at my job, getting paid for doing what I love: writing.
And I'm fortunate enough to be one out of only a dozen or so students who was finally offered on-campus housing, therefore salvaging a significant part of my college experience.
During Preview, I discovered that I will be graduating on time.
In fact, I might possibly be a semester early due to Advanced Placement, college and dual-enrollment credits.
Others might not be as lucky, but I'm sure a summer session can help with getting back on track.Hall
Spring admits: While you continue to acclimate here to the Swamp, remember that we are, indeed, members of The Gator Nation.
Although the road to Gainesville has not been the smoothest, in three years, we will be throwing up our decorated caps with the rest of the Class of 2015. Best of luck.
Colleen Wright is a journalism freshman at UF. Her column will regularly appear on Tuesdays.
