No, I will probably never screamed at someone to push 10 more of epi, have someone die on a table right in front of me, or win a Harper Avery Award, but Grey's Anatomy has taught me so much more than that. Shonda Rhimes, you really know how to pull at person's heart strings; and along the way, you've also found some very sly ways to help me out in college. Here's just a few things I've learned:
1. Stress eating will happen. It's OK.
College is HARD, okay mom? I just realized I have a paper to start that was due yesterday and about 4 more chapters to read before my next class, but I also have to go meet with my professor right now, even though I'm still stuck in a study group for our exam tomorrow, and all of a sudden I AM HUNGRESSED - yes, I mean hungry and stressed, and YES, that's okay. Sometimes you need to take a second to inhale some food. Low blood sugar and an empty stomach? That's almost worse than just being stressed. So yes, I think I will treat myself to a pint of Ben & Jerry's ice cream and pizza. Thanks for the boost of confidence, Little Grey.
2. You don't have to have everything figured out right now.
I have no idea what I'm doing. Neither do you? Great, we just became friends. We're young; we're learning; and we're all still baby interns. You don't need to have your "specialty" chosen yet - there's plenty of time for that later. The great thing is, you're not alone. You're surrounded by your roommates, friends, and peers who are all going through the same things as you. They are your people - lean on them for support, you're all going to need it at some point. Someday you'll be the strong, sophisticated attending, but you still have seasons before that will happen. Enjoy being the bottom of the surgical food chain for now - and do it with your people by your side.
3. Not everyone is as nice as they first seem to be.
Looks can be deceiving, and so can people. That person you thought was so great when you first met? Now they've done a complete 180 on you and that's an awful feeling. It's OK. You'll realize that some people just aren't worth it. So you met some fake friends, or people you feel like you have to put a mask on when you're around them? Leave them, even if that means you're alone for the time being. Find people who truly matter. Be you. Don't let yourself be eclipsed by anybody. It'll be worth it in the long run.
4. Love yo' self.
That's right. You're awesome. You're you. This is not high school, and in the great words of George O'Malley, "High school sucks for anyone who's the least bit different". If you meet people who don't like you, who cares? You'll find people who find you absolutely awesome and endearing. The best advice I could give a high school student would be to try to care less about the people who don't care about you because after the 4 years that you're stuck together, they won't matter to you anymore. The same goes for college, so let your inner April Kepner run free.
5. You WILL meet amazing people. And they will make all the difference.
The underlying message with all of these points? College is challenging - in many different ways. But guess what? You'll survive it. You have so much time to breathe, even if it doesn't always seem like it. And the best part? You'll find people who will remind you that everything will be okay, or just be there for you if it's not. So DANCE. You've been working hard. That deserves a 30 second dance party. You've earned it.
College is a time of your life that you'll never forget. Enjoy it. Breathe. Whether you're on season 1, 6, or 10 of your college experience, you still have a long ways to go; and one day, you'll look back and realize how much you've learned, with your people around you. Don't forget to take a second to remind yourself of that -- and maybe watch a couple episodes of Grey's while you're at it.
