Why “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” Is the Perfect Read for Your First Year at College
Today is September 1, the 20th anniversary to the day of the US publication of the first Harry Potter book! The Harry Potter books are comforting stories that guide us through some of the most challenging moments in our lives. The writing is beautiful, the characters are memorable, and there are enough hidden details in the series to keep us entertained for years to come. My personal favorite is Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, which I haven’t read for a couple of years now. I recently began my first year of college and I realized that what would help me most of all during the transition was reading Harry Potter. Out of the seven books, Sorcerer’s Stone has the most nostalgic September vibe. Fall is a great time to read the book, especially when you’re going back to school.
Sorcerer’s Stone is the perfect book to read when you transition to college because no book will look after you more. It’s the first book in the series, and Harry is starting at a new school. He has left home behind him and has started to become his own person. I don’t know about you, but I enjoy reading about characters that are going through experiences similar to my own. Sorcerer’s Stone is the kind of story that is so exciting and well written that you become absorbed in the world. With such vivid writing, you feel as if you’re traveling to Hogwarts alongside Harry. While you’re at it, you might as well bring Harry along with you to college.
There are numerous moments in Sorcerer’s Stone that equate to the college transition. Harry’s acceptance letter to Hogwarts, his school-shopping scene in Diagon Alley, and his nervous moments where he doubts himself are all very relatable. When Harry goes to Diagon Alley, that moment really stands out to me as a fun and identifiable scene for readers.
Harry is overwhelmed and excited about living in a new place and ticking items off his shopping list. Harry feels like the rest of us in this scene. When it comes down to it, he’s just picking up books and school supplies and snacking along the way. This is one of the many moments that’s comforting and heartwarming, and perfect to read when you’re picking up your college textbooks.
My favorite moments in Sorcerer’s Stone were when Harry doubted himself. He has jitters that have to do with starting at a new school and not knowing anyone there. Harry is worried about fitting in, what people will think about him, and if Hogwarts is the right place for him. These are emotions and thoughts that we as readers can relate to.
You might feel isolated and scared about starting your first year of college, but it’s reassuring to know that Harry feels that way too. He’s going through the same thing, but he’s alongside you for the journey. I admire how Harry’s thoughts are so realistic and raw when it comes to starting school. I also wondered if the school/college I picked was the right one for me. However, by reading about Harry’s journey in Sorcerer’s Stone, I realized all the wonderful experiences that can be had at a new school.
Carrying around a copy of Sorcerer’s Stone is a must for your first year at college. If you’ve read the book several times before, then you’ll have an old friend that you can look back on whenever you are feeling anxious or homesick. At the very least, you’ll have some fun reading that’s nothing like your textbook material. You can read knowing that you’re sharing some of the same experiences with Harry, but also, the story is so fantastical that you can escape while reading. No other book is quite like Sorcerer’s Stone when it comes to exploring the anxiety and intrigue of a new school year. For me, Sorcerer’s Stone is the perfect companion read for the stress that is that first year of college.
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