11 Things I've Learned In College
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

11 Things I've Learned In College

"What we learn?"

9
11 Things I've Learned In College
Unsplash

"What we learn?"

Seems simple enough, but there's plenty we learn- plenty I've learned- throughout college.

Work Hard, Play Hard

Hard work will always pay off. It pays off in the connections you make, the experience you earn, and the feeling that you've accomplished something. And when you know that you've worked toward something, it gives that thing or experience more meaning and value. It pays off not giving up. It pays off getting the connections in and out of your desired field. And even though you may not get recognition, you know that you do a good job. So, does recognition really matter if you're doing something you love?

Hidden Lives

People hide more than what it seems. You may have a lot more in common than you thought, experiences that can relate, but you'll never know unless you both open up. We each hold so many secrets, things we don't want others to judge us on, or things that have hurt us in the past, things we don't know how to verbalize. And there's so much more to us than what we may let the world see. We all have such intricate, complex lives. It's nearly impossible to see a whole person- their past, present, and future and what went into each moment that has built them into the person they are and will be. All too much we only see the surface- what they want us to see. And we do the same.

Vulnerability

Vulnerability is rough. It can be good at times, and it can hurt you at times. You can open yourself up to a person and then that person may end up hurting you. Or a person opens up to you and you don't know how to respond. Vulnerability is tricky. Sometimes you just have to bear it. It takes courage to trust someone enough to be vulnerable with them, to share with them things you wouldn't just tell anyone.

Snakes In The Garden

People are snakes. Sure, some people you can trust, but some people you can't. And you gotta weed the snakes from your garden. You don't need that in your life. Sometimes you may not want to let those snakes go, but you need to, because they aren't going to benefit you. They're going to hurt you more. And do you really want the drama they bring in your life? Your life will be much lighter without it.

Support

Your support system is there. Sometimes you just don't see it. Sometimes it takes you falling to see that support system in full force, coming to help you out. This is why it's important to tend to all your relationships, to be there for others because they really will be there for you when you need it most.

Live Broken

You learn to live with the pain. You learn to let it just be a dull pulse instead of a stabbing throb. Your vision won't be in black and white anymore, but it may not be as bright as before. There might be a slight haze to the world, but it won't be as bad as it was before.

Leather Jackets & Long Islands

Sometimes a good night out is what you need. Sometimes a few weekends in a row. It doesn't hurt to slip on that leather jacket and those boots, busting up into the bar like a badass on a Friday and/or Saturday night just to order drinks and dance with friends. It won't take your problems away, but for just one night, you can put the problems and insecurities aside and have fun. Find what your "leather jacket & long island" is (it doesn't have to be going out, it's essentially whatever you consider to be a good time that will make you forget your troubles for one night).

Create

Use your experiences to create. Pain can create some of the most beautiful artwork. "Flying sparks paint pretty pictures" as a friend of mine once said. And it's very true. Use whatever you have as your creative fuel, because whatever you use from experience, will make your art- your story- more authentic and relatable. Take it from someone who has received those comments from her fiction workshop class.

Just The Way You Are

You're beautiful as you are. You don't need to change for anyone. Your "flaws" are what make you YOU. You are unique, there's no one who is composed as carefully as you are with your particular appearance, experience, likes, dislikes, fears and dreams. Something I've grown more comfortable with has been my body as a whole. I feel good in my own skin, that I am attractive as myself and I don't need YOUR validation to know it or be aware of it.

Flex On 'Em

Strength can be big and little. Your strength isn't just physical. Your strength is mental, spiritual, emotional. Not snapping or texting someone takes strength, taking the high road takes strength. It takes strength to continue to have faith when you feel faithless. It takes strength to try something new or keep a fresh routine. There will be times where your strength will be expressed in big, significant moments and little, fleeting moments. And if someone says you're not strong: flex on 'em. Prove them wrong.

So Much More

You are capable of so much more. You can do better. You just need to believe it. Because if there's one person that is stopping you, it's yourself. If you don't believe in yourself or in your abilities or your standards, who's going to believe YOU? All that self doubt and self loathing? That needs to stop. You need to pick yourself up, because you are so much more.


Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

41909
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

26337
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

951546
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

136112
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments