Well, it's here...senior year of college. Nine months left of the best years of my life. There have been so many ups and downs, much like any other college student's experience. You learn a lot about yourself between the ages of 18 and 22, moreso than in your teen years. You become an adult, it's legal to drink, you get internships. have a couple of long term relationships (maybe), and a plethora of other life changing events. I could never have anticipated what the last few years would bring me as a loaded the first few bags from my car into my freshman year dorm. Luckily I was already on good terms with my roommate, so I had one solid accomplishment of my college career, and I've come a long way since that first day. So, for you incoming freshmen or anyone else who this applies to, here are 10 things you should learn (concepts or actions) by your senior year of college.
1. Let your mom/dad/guardian help you make your bed when you arrive to move in day.
I know it seems silly and a small detail, but it matters. My freshman year my mom and I fought the whole car ride and as soon as I loaded all of my things into my room, I kicked her and my family out because I was mad but also excited. My mom has moved me in sophomore, junior, and now senior year, but I'll never get to let her move me in a first time...so let your parents do it!
2. Learn how to cook/make food for yourself/do laundry.
These are human basics people, you'll need to do this in the real world so you might as well learn now. YouTube is ABUNDANT with cooking and baking videos and hacks as well as useful and quicker ways to do laundry. Heck, you could even make a few extra dollars doing someone else's laundry.
3. Speaking of money, try to get a job in college (part time of course).
It's totally understandable if you and your parents talked it out and you all agreed you are going to school solely to get a degree. However, it'll be harder to understand the process of getting a job in the real world if you don't do it during the last few years that you have an excuse to fall back on your parents. Career Services at school can only help so much, but having experience getting an internship or part time job is invaluable. Plus it saves you the embarrassment or what not saying, "Mom I need money for more food", or even alcohol.
4. Ask for help.
From professors, faculty, other friends, your parents. Pretty much everyone understands that you're a college student and you don't know what you're doing half the time, so ask for help.
5. Get Involved On Campus Immediately.
No one this day and age is going to hire someone who went to college and just did school work. Employers want well rounded people who also have varied interests, and know how to have fun with whatever they love. If your school has a club fair, go and sign up for everything you might be interested in. Chances are you probably won't be able to do every club because of time, but that'll just make it easier to choose. If you get involved early, you can follow a club all four years of school.
6. Explore the town your school is in.
Again, this might sound a little silly, but make sure you step off campus every once in a while. It'll save your sanity, and you'll be the one out of your friends who knows the best places to go out to eat after a party!
7. Study, for the love of God, study.
College is meant to be fun, but you're really there to learn. Before going out Friday night, spend that awkward time between that class that ends at 2 before you get dinner in the library. You won't have that much work to do for Monday, which means less stress for you!
8. You most likely will not be friends with most of the people you were when you first got to school.
It's a tough piece of advice to sell, especially within those first few weeks of school when everyone is in the honeymoon stage of college. But like in real life, you'll need to learn to let some friends go. Things will happen, you'll go into different majors, etc. Just know that everyone goes through it, and you will too.
9. You will discover your true friends.
In lieu of the above statement, by senior year you will most likely have discovered who your true friends are, and they will become your family.
10. Be yourself, and be happy.
Don't care what other people think. There are 7 billion people in this world, and there is only one you. Don't waste time comparing yourself to others, know that you yourself are enough.
Be well friends, I hope this helps...happy college-ing!
