With just about a year and a half left of college I thought I would share some valuable lessons that I have learned thus far. This is obviously a very condensed version seeing as I thought bringing up balancing chemical equations and the correct drip rates for IV's would bore a few of you.
1. You will meet some of the best people...
College has introduced me to some of the most beautiful souls I have ever met. Some want to change the world and some just want to change your frown to a smile, either way these are the people who always manage to put a smile on your face. These are your motivators and your cheerleaders and will ultimately turn into your best friends.
2. And with that, some of the worst.
With the good always comes the bad. You will meet people who you cannot stand and have no idea how they made it this far in life. Whether its a difficult group member or an uncooperative professor you will learn something from them, even if you don't know it right away- I promise.
3. Your mistakes do not define you & trust me you will make them.
I know it's a cliche, but I am serious- everyone makes mistakes. The best way to handle them is to be honest with yourself and own up to them. Not only will it promote others to respect you more, but it will increase your respect for yourself.
4. You will have bad days.
It's okay to cry. Luckily the good days ultimately outweigh the bad and will only make you stronger. The bad days always have something to teach you.
5. The beauty of giving back.
Since coming to college I have been involved in so many on and off campus volunteer opportunities and organizations. This has not only humbled me but showed me how truly blessed I am for all that I have. Being a part of something that helps people is what can help you get through the tough days.
6. The world is so much bigger than where you grew up.
Sometimes we forget just how big the world we live in is. I only go to school 400 miles from home and that has shown me just how big the world is outside of Tolland, CT. I can only imagine how much this feeling must be amplified for people across the country or across the world.
7. Family is everything.
You realize just how much your family means to you when you don't get to see them every day. The fact that I have a countdown going at any given time until I get to see my parents and siblings is pretty self explanatory. It's amazing how much we take them for granted when we see them every day.
8. If you fail, the world will not end.
Whether it's a test or a class, it will be okay. That one grade will not define you. If you fail you fail and that's it. It's okay to be unhappy about it, but your mental health is more important than you GPA.
9. Life doesn't always go as planned- and that's okay.
We all have dreams for our future and as we live our day to day lives things change. People come and go, desires and dreams change. We don't always account for life throwing us onto a new path or spitting us out in a different direction than we originally planned, but sometimes it does. It's important to remember that everything will work out in the end.
10. It's okay to take a personal day.
Stress makes you sick, miserable, and ultimately unhappy. Every now and then it is important to take a step back and do something that you enjoy and relaxes you. Whether you take a hike or you simply read a book, take the time you need for you it will help you in the long run trust me!
11. Your social status means nothing.
The transition from high school to college was rather interesting because there was no so called "popular group". There are of course different groups on campus that partake in different events together, but ultimately it is a giant mix of people and no one really cares if you were one of the "cool kids" in high school.
12. The only way to truly be happy is to be you.
You can spend so much time, energy, and money trying to please everyone else and conforming to what society is trying to label as "cool", or you can do what you want and be happy. Whether you go out and party on the weekends, you stay in and watch movies with some friends, or you spend your time in the library- do what makes you feel your best because in the end that is all that matters!
