College is a learning experience in all shapes and forms. College is supposed to be the best time of your life, not something you hate every minute of because you are overwhelmed.

I guess my advice starts at not focusing on the nonsense. Try and focus on what's really important: networking, your studies and making friendships that will last a lifetime. Who cares what others think? If you are happy with yourself and enjoy going to the movies vs. going out or vice versa, then just do it!

Please don't take this as write everyone off and not care about how you are perceived. I think there is a thin line between being confident and having a fun time as opposed to not caring about how you treat others or how they treat you. A lot of people will use, "I'm confident" as an excuse to treat others insignificantly or walk all over people. This act is not being confident, it is making yourself look insecure and making your friends or acquaintances really not enjoy your company. The way I have gone about college is to be the best you that you can be and also to live by the "golden rule." Treat others how you wish to be treated. A lot of people say, "well that's just how people are and they will never change". If we start actually having a positive mentality and being more kind to others and not being so quick to judge, I think college would be a better experience for the masses. 

"Be the change you wish to see in the world." -Gandhi - Take his quote at face value. Why do we all love to watch shows about the underdogs coming out on top or the people who were crazy enough to try the impossible and succeed? Because we like to feel like we all are special and in those two hours of watching that show you feel that you can embody that person. Maybe you feel that somehow down the line you could somehow do what they did. What I am saying is not everyone can be Steve Jobs or Gandhi, but you can be you and that is enough. Being the best you that you can be is the most important thing any of us can do. 

Who wants to be just like everyone else? How boring would that be? From my experience, most people will surprise you and people who you thought would never accept you for you actually end up loving you or help you grow into the person they know you can be. 

There are a lot of lessons, not mistakes, but lessons that you learn in college that prepare you for the real world. Take these lessons and embrace them and like I said try to be the best person you can be because it's contagious! By having a positive lifestyle others will envy this and follow in your footsteps. 

As you start to complain about your homework, job, significant other, just remember you are in college. You are already in the right direction to being you best self. I challenge you to challenge yourself to show others kindness and focus on what's really important vs. what you "think" is important at this moment in our lives. Good luck!