1. It's ok to not know what you want to do.
Basically from preschool and up, we were asked what we wanted to be when we grew up. I can tell you all the 100 things I said I was going to be until senior year of high school. My answer was I don't know. It took a year in college for me to figure out the field I wanted to be in and I am still trying to explore jobs. It's ok not to know. I still don't know.
2. The school you were dead set on since before you were born may not be where you end up. That is ok.
For as long as I can remember, I always pictured myself at JMU. It was perfect inside and out. It wasn't until I really started looking at colleges and going on tours that I realized that just wasn't where I needed to be. I toured VCU and told myself I was never ever going back there. I went to CNU my freshman year. It was amazing, but I went in undecided and declared a major at the end of the year and transferred. I am currently apart of the VCU class of 2019 and I couldn't be happier. (I'm the one on the far left in the JMU shirt)
3. Do not follow your high school sweetheart to college. (Unless you absolutely have no choice or it's your dream school)
Distance is hard and sometimes it doesn't work out but college is about finding yourself. If you're always doing the same thing as each other, do you even know who you are and if you are right for each other. If you are both interested in two different schools, go to those schools! My boyfriend and I ended up at different schools. We broke up at the end of the year, but are still friends. We're just chasing different dreams. It happens. Do not to put your dreams aside and remember the same thing applies to them. If they love you, they will let you go and vice versa. If going to the same school works out, you guys are amazing and I wish you the best.
4. Find new friends at your school!
When you are at a new place, it's important to build a support system. In college, that support system goes a long way. Remember that you are all in the same boat so don't ever feel like you can't find a group. At moments when life just gets overwhelming, it's also important to have those people that you can get away from reality for a little with.
5. Join an organization!
Like I mentioned above it helps to have friends and joining an organization is a great way to find a group of people that share similar things with you. I love running and sports so at my first school I was in running club and now at my new school I am involved in the pep club for the school teams. I have met amazing people and ones who I know I can always go to for anything. It also helped me stay away from the freshman 15. I joined a sorority as well, which is way out of my comfort zone, but turned out to be one of the best things I have ever done. Through Greek life, I have met men and women in all organization who inspire me endlessly and it is amazing to be apart of something bigger than yourself.
6. STUDY! STUDY! STUDY!
In high school I was one of those people who could never touch a textbook or notes and get b's on everything. That does not work in college! I have had my fair share of all-nighters, tutor sessions, and study groups to understand that you need to be doing everything you can to make the grade. The material is hard so treat is as such. Tackle it with full force.
7. No one is going to hold your hand.
College is a whole new world in the sense that this is the first time many kids will be one their own. No one is going to be there to hold your hand through everything. No one is going to tell you when to do things like homework, eat dinner, and laundry. No one is going to tell you to go to class or even wake up at a reasonable time. You definitely do a lot of growing up.
8. It's ok to cry.
Sometimes things get overwhelming or you may just need to cry for whatever reason. You're in college. It is ok to cry. The world is not coming to an end even though it may feel like it. Hang in there.
9. Get out of your comfort zone.Do not go jump out of an airplane (unless you want to, more power to you). What I'm saying is put yourself out there. Like I did, join organizations or even just walk down the hall to the room with the open door and introduce yourself. That's what I did and I ended up meeting my best friends.
10. Have fun!
There is so much advice I could give about college, but ultimately in the end enjoy the ride! You're there to do what you love. There's no reason to not have fun along the way.
