As we all do, I had certain expectations going into college. Basically all the information I had before this school year about life at a four year university came from movies and TV along with some conversations I'd had with those who have been through it firsthand. None of this could have prepared me for the experience itself; I never could have guessed how much I'd learn in such a short time frame. As my first year of college comes close to its end, it's struck me that the lessons I've learned this year are important ones that will continue to help as I figure out how to be a "real" adult.
1. Do not forget your key. Ever.
In the first week of school, me and my roommate locked ourselves out of the room. After the incident being recorded and our RA letting us back in, we had great intentions for the future. Unfortunately, despite our hopes of being responsible, it's happened several times since. Maybe I haven't learned my lesson quite yet but at least now I know that I have a problem... Hopefully we'll do better in our apartment next year and in our adult lives.
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2. Get used to walking a lot.
Before JMU, probably the most I'd ever walk in a day would be at an amusement park or mall. No one tells you about the daily trekking up hills and to classes that are miles away! I will say though that it's probably helped keep the Freshman 15 at bay. Either way, now that I'm so used to it, I think anything seems within walking distance.
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3. Textbooks and anything having to do with them are a nightmare.
Whether it's the annoyance of buying a textbook you "need" for a class and then never actually using it, or having to buy 12 books for a GenEd that you don't even want to take, your bank account is going to be looking rough in the first part of each semester because of books. It has taught me the valuable lesson that sometimes you just have to suck it up because not everything makes sense or works out perfectly.
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4. Enrollment will never not be stressful.
Freshman registration especially, since we get the last enrollment appointments, were the most chaotic few days of my life. You think you have the perfect schedule worked out and then you hit that enroll button and all you see are red Xs... I've learned how to work quickly under pressure to still make a workable schedule and how to be adaptable to things not always going as planned.
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5. It's incredibly freeing not to have to ask permission to go anywhere.
I love my parents, but it's so cool to be able to leave my building and go anywhere I choose (aside from the fact that we can't have cars yet). This is both scary and exciting because while no one is checking up on me or giving me a curfew, it means I'm on my own.
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6. Class is way different than it was in high school.
Your professors are not always going to take attendance, most don't care if you're late or leave early, and just in general you're responsible for yourself. This is dangerous because it's now up to me to take my education into my own hands. You can go to class and read for it and study or you could not do any of those things. The end result will reflect your own choices. No one is going to baby you to make the right decision after high school; it's up to you to make the right choice or not.
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7. The gym is your friend.
I didn't realize until second semester just how beneficial going to the gym can be. It helps with mental and physical health--you just feel better. Whether it's going to do your own thing or take a class, there is some kind of exercise that will work for you.
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8. GenEds can be the best (or the worst) classes you take.
We all have to take them, and we've all had a terrible experience in a GenEd. Surprisingly though, these classes can also be really interesting. So don't dismiss them just because they're required; keep an open mind and one might surprise you.
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9. Frequent napping is okay and even encouraged.
Sleep often comes second to studying and other "more important" tasks, so sleeping during the day whenever possible is 100% acceptable. Being able to fall asleep on command (or just because you're supremely sleep-deprived) is a valuable life skill.
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10. It all goes by too fast.
I cannot believe that my freshman year of college is almost over. Day by day I don't notice how fast I'm moving but I look back and orientation seems like last week. I still feel like I'm in elementary school... I've learned to appreciate this incredible and illuminating time in my life.
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This huge change in my life in the past months has been beyond compare. I can't believe how fast it has passed or how much I've learned. Hopefully these lessons will stay with me as I continue to mature, but I've still got a few years till I (technically) have to be a functioning part of the real world. I can't wait to continue my time in college and see what else I'll discover.
