I love college and everything that it has offered to me. I’ve met some amazing people who I know I’m going to have in my life for a very long time, but I also met some people that couldn’t stay a while but left me with some great lessons. With every success comes hope, and with every failure comes a lesson. College has been a roller coaster of both. High school was great and I definitely came out with a few things I will remember for the future, but college has provided me with so much knowledge that I will remember to look back on during obstacles I will face in the real world.
1. There are times that you will fail, and that’s OK.
From doing terribly on your tests to relationships not working out-- don’t worry, this will happen and that’s the part of college you have to accept. Things get better and with a positive and optimistic outlook, the only place you can go from being at the bottom is to the top.
2. Sometimes procrastination is key.
You may think that starting projects you were given months in advanced is a smart idea, but honestly, last minute work forces you to start and finish. Procrastinating a few days before the due date isn’t always a bad thing.
3. You will always need your family.
They will never leave your side regardless of the many miles that separate your love. Yes, having your privacy and freedom is everything you’ve been waiting for for the past 18 years, but it’s okay to call your family every day. It’s okay to need your family because they will always need you.
4. Step out of your comfort zone.
Try new things. Meet new people. Don’t be scared to explore what the world has to offer. You never know—the one place you were afraid to go is the place you could find your utmost happiness.
5. The friends that stuck around since high school are lifelong friends.
You will meet some amazing people in college and for sure they’ll be in your life for quite sometime, but don’t forget about the ones that knew you in every awkward stage of your life. Your high school besties that are still with you in college are valuable, rare and one’s that are going to be hard to replace.
6. Never forget self-respect, your self worth and your beliefs.
It’s college and something or someone is going to come and along and put you in a super uncomfortable situation where you feel like it’s going to be hard to get out of. It’s bound to happen but don’t forget who you are inside. It’s okay to say no because regretting it in the morning will be a nightmare you will have to live with forever.
7. Do things by yourself.
Spending every day with your friends is fun but don’t forget that you need time for yourself. Take a “me day” once in a while and remember to do things that will make YOU happy.
8. You could or could not find the love of your life in college.
Everyone thinks that the person you meet in college is the person you’ll end up with for the rest of your life. Don’t focus on that expectation. Some things will work and some things won’t. Everything and everyone changes! If this person turns out to be the one then great! But if not, don’t sweat it.
9. Time flies way too fast.
It’s like I went to bed as a freshman and I’m waking up ending my junior year. It’s scary to think of all of the experiences I’ve been through in the past three years and knowing I only have 1 more to wrap it all up. I know I’m not the person I was three years ago and I’m glad I’ve been through so many obstacles that molded me into a better person.
10. Let go.
Don’t hold on to the past and don’t let your past ruin you. Looking back hurts and trying to live a life where you wonder how things could’ve been different will destroy everything about you. Accept the cards you’ve been dealt and move forward. Accept and forgive the people who have hurt you and have walked out of your life and thank them for teaching you a lesson. Thank the ones that hurt you for being able to feel such an emotion and knowing the feeling that you should never put up with. Life is beautiful and life is precious. Things take time, but time runs out. Let go. Forgive and forget.
