College is an exciting time. In my three years, through all the victories and defeats, I've learned a lot of things. Looking back, a lot of those lessons seem painfully obvious. So this is me, sharing those painfully obvious lessons with you, and hoping it will save you some time and energy so that you can get right down to being awesome!
1. Pick your battles, and fight them well.
There are way too many assignments for you to get all of them done. I’m sorry, but it’s true. The trick is to find a balance. Sometimes that means skipping a small assignment – preferably one that isn’t getting graded anyways – every once in a while. But more importantly, it means learning to do a little bit every day so that those little assignments don’t overwhelm you.
2. People before projects and papers.
It’s easy to tell yourself, “It’s just homework, of course people are more important,” but if you’re anything like me, it’s far more difficult to put aside the work to make time for people. I understand that you are paying for this education and it’s important to do the best that you can, but sometimes, it’s OK to leave an assignment for later so that you can spend time with friends. Because it’s your friends that you are going to cherish and remember 10 years from now, not the grade you got on an assignment.
3. Take care of yourself!
As all my friends can tell you this is something I still struggle to put this into practice. I’m up too late too often, my sleep schedule is all over the map, I skip meals either because I’m too lazy to go to the dining hall or because I “don’t have time”, and I drink too much caffeine. Don’t put your body through the wringer. You only get one body and you need to take care of it. Treat it nice. Feed it well. Drink a lot of water. Let it recharge. Take it for walks in the nice spring weather. You get the point.
4. It’s just a letter.
Coming from someone who spent years wrapping her identity up in her grades, I promise, you can take this one to the bank. It is just a letter on a piece of paper. It does not define who you are or your worth. Celebrate the good ones, but don’t let the bad ones knock you down.
5. The professors are not out to get you.
Despite the difficult assignments and long hours of homework they assign you, I promise the professors aren’t plotting your demise. As hard as it is to believe, they actually want to help you. If you don’t understand something, or if you’re struggling, set up a time to talk with them in their office. They want to see you succeed, I promise.
6. Find your people.
Friends are great. Find people who can make you laugh on days when you’ve forgotten what that means. Find people who remind you that you need to take care of yourself - and who can force you when you're too stubborn to listen. Find people who like the same stuff and who challenge you to think differently, to be better. Some of your people could be friends you’ve had all your life – that’s great! But be open to meeting more people, different people. Making new friends doesn’t mean forgetting old ones.
7. Learn to ask for help.
This is another one that I’m still working on. The truth is, you do not have to struggle through anything on your own. There are so many people around you that are willing to lend a hand, whether it’s with a homework assignment, or you’re feeling under the weather, or you're lonely and you need someone to talk to. It’s okay not to be strong 100 percent of the time. There are people around you who would be glad to help.
8. Failure is actually an option.
Gasp! She said the “F” word! And I shall say it again: Failure is an option! I’m not suggesting that you should quit trying, but I’ve found that once I give myself the permission to do less than perfect – to fail – then I am free to get the work done. And the funny part is when I give myself that permission, nine times out of 10 the grade comes back and it’s not a grade I’m ashamed of.
9. Motivation is a monster, do work anyway.
Believe me when I say this is easier said than done. Regardless, it’s true. If you live your life waiting for motivation to come along and kick you in the pants, you are going to be sorely disappointed. You must learn to make your own motivation, because sometimes the papers are due in a few hours and you are the only thing keeping yourself from giving up.
10. Take classes that excite you.
Don’t get pigeon-holed into taking classes that only have to do with your major. Branch out! Take science classes that sound interesting. Take a philosophy class that will challenge you to broaden your mind. Take a creative writing class just so you can better appreciate the stories you read. When you will have opportunities to learn about so many different things?
11. Enjoy every moment.
As a senior who is quickly coming up on graduate, this is something I implore you to hear: enjoy every moment you have. Because a day is coming when you will walk across that stage and then all you’ll have left will be memories. Don’t take it for granted. Not even the late night spent writing papers or the days when you want to pull your hair out because of all the work you’ve got to do. The seconds of your life are precious. Enjoy them.
