It’s that time again — the time to go back to school. But for some of you, it is time to start a whole new adventure in college. That was me about three years ago, and believe me, it was certainly eye opening but not quite in the way I expected. Here are a few things that I’ve learned at college.
1. You’re going to bring WAY too much your first year.
You’re going to bring so much for your dorm room your first year because you’re not sure what you’ll need or you’ll think you need more than you do. You’ll learn throughout the year what you’ll need and what you can leave at home next time.
2. Don’t be ashamed of something you like.
Maybe you’re obsessed with a specific comic strip, or maybe you’re way too in love with Jane Austen novels (yes, that’s me), but don’t be ashamed of something you love. People are going to find something about you weird, but there is something about them that’s a little weird too. We’re human; enjoy your guilty pleasure.
3. Netflix will be your best friend.
Believe me, if you start college without Netflix, you’ll probably get it really fast. How else are you going to procrastinate on that 10-page paper you have to do?
4. Group projects will always suck.
No matter what grade you’re in, working with other people who don’t want to do anything is always going to be rough. There’s no way of getting out of it in college. It sucks, but sometimes there’s that special group that is actually decent and does the work they said they would.
5. Don’t expect to meet your future spouse in college.
It may happen, it may not. But don’t go into college expecting to meet your future soulmate, because you’ll never find them that way. You’ll date some people, and none of them may work out, but expecting it makes it harder when you don’t find it.
6. The friends you make your first week may not be your friends for the next few years.
Everyone is so excited to meet new people, but they are more determined to make instant connections with the people who could become lifelong friends. You’ll find out who you can trust and who is really your friend, but don’t be surprised if it’s not the first few people you meet. However, you’re one of the lucky ones if it is.
7. Being an undecided major is totally okay.
Some people are lucky and know exactly what they want to do when they graduate. Others know their major, but not what they want to do with it. Then there are those people who have no idea whatsoever. It’s completely okay to have no idea at first. Take classes in everything to see what you like and what you don’t. You don’t have to know right away. You have time to decide what you want, and then time to change your mind (and major) as well.
8. In-dorm movie dates are the best.
You’re going to want to do something crazy fun because you’re on your own and you can. But at the end of the day, curling up in front of a good movie is probably as good as it gets.
9. You’re bound to do something you’ll regret later; it’s going to happen. Just accept it.
Whether you drink too much or date someone that you probably will wish you never did, everyone has that big moment freshman year that they will later wish never happened. It’s just you experiencing the first real feeling of being in your own, and that’s totally okay!
10. Take as many pictures as you can.
One day you’ll look back at your time in college and be thankful that you have so many memories documented.
11. Don’t believe everything people say about college.
College is what you make it, and your experience is up to you. Do what you want with it. Major in something crazy and then change your mind halfway through. Take a random class just because it sounds fun. You’re in charge of your life, so live it!
I hope that your first year is as exciting and entertaining as mine was. I don’t mean to sound like the older, wiser person telling you what to do. I just want to share some things I learned my freshman year. I hope they are helpful and that this year is the best one yet. They only keep getting better from here.
