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Home » Latest Posts » William & Mary for the Win (Well, the Second Time)
College of William and Mary

William & Mary for the Win (Well, the Second Time)

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Codi Elliott   November 5, 2018

I have been dubbed, “a conversation waiting to happen.” Honestly, I cannot argue. I will admit my college journey can only be described as untraditional and undeniably bumpy. Allow me to elaborate. Born and raised in Florida, I grew up spending my summers outside, slathering on layers of sunscreen and soaking up the Florida sun. I reached middle school, determined to go to an out-of-state school to experience more of the United States. I never strayed from my twelve-year-old self’s decision. As a result, during my senior year, I applied to schools across the East Coast. Finally, after months of applications and anxiety, I chose to attend Smith College, a small liberal arts women’s college in western Massachusetts, starkly different from my sunny, beachy hometown.

Nevertheless, I left Florida ecstatic to discover snow, apple picking and New England culture.

My big out-of-state move differed from what twelve-year-old me had envisioned. Smith popped the bubble I had unknowingly grown up in. I learned more about the world around me and how to work towards creating inclusive environments for people of all sexual orientations, genders and ethnicities. Smith College made me a better person.

And with as much conviction, I can say I felt the traditional college experience passing me by, which led me to William & Mary.

My decision to transfer surprised even me. It happened over spring break, in Florida. I just had breakfast with my best friend. While driving home, I vividly remember staring at the sky and thinking, “Wow, it has been a long time since I have seen the sun.” But the gray days and long winter did not lead to me submitting a transfer application the following day. I sent the transfer application because I finally admitted to myself that yes, I hadn’t seen the sun in a long time, but I also hadn’t felt happy in a long time either. It definitely surprised my family and friends when I announced I planned on applying to William & Mary without ever expressing any desire to leave Smith. However, they supported my chaotic endeavor, and constantly checked in with me to ask if I had heard anything.  In May, I found out I had been accepted. I knew I had to go.

Steeped in tradition, the College of William & Mary sits in Williamsburg, Virginia. Again, I chose to move to a place entirely unfamiliar and different from both Florida and Massachusetts. In August, I started at William & Mary, determined to make this place my home. I moved into a dorm with a random roommate. After an exhausting yet wonderful recruitment process, I joined a sorority and I even ventured to my first college football game. We lost, but I remember just being so excited to sit in the stadium wearing green and gold.

Did it take me a while to realize where I belonged? Absolutely. Did I cause my mother a lot of stress? Undoubtedly. Why did I think I could handle New England winters when I shiver in sixty-degree weather? That remains unclear.

Life gets messy. College gets messy. But sometimes the best things come from the mess.

About Codi Elliott

Sophomore at William and Mary studying Neuroscience. Fan of astrology, breakfast food, and trekking back home to Florida whenever it gets cold.

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